The main objective of the Project is to develop, implement, and examine models and algorithms for optimization of optical networks with spatial flexibility. Optical networks with spatial flexibility is a novel approach to optical networks. The key idea behind this approach is to use a space domain, in which the spatial resources can be flexibly assigned to different traffic demands, increasing the utilized degrees of flexibility, and the network planning and optimization capabilities of the network. Spatial resources may refer to bundles of single mode fibers (SMF), fiber cores in multi-core fibers (MCFs) or modes multi-mode fibers (MMFs). Moreover, we plan to consider an additional space of storage facilities that can improve the process of data transmission in optical networks using scheduling algorithms.

Network optimization is an important research area. Due to increasing volumes of network traffic as well growing number of users and services, new effective solutions for optical transport networks are required to overcome the capacity crunch problem in the Internet and answer the challenge to deliver data with large bit-rates. Lack of new advances in optical networks can stop or limit the overall development of various networking services in the Internet and in consequences can have a large negative impact on many aspects of economy and social life.

The effects of the project having the largest impact on the development of science will be: (1) Formulation of new problems related to optimization of optical networks with spatial flexibility, including new integer programming mathematical models; (2) Development of new heuristic and metaheuristic algorithms to solve proposed problems; (3) Numerical experiments showing main characteristic of optical networks with spatial flexibility including possible areas of application.

Potential recipients of the Project results are network operators and network service providers, since results of the Project can be applied to model and optimize new spatially flexible optical networks, what together with results of numerical experiments will provide more detailed knowledge about of spatially flexible optical networks, including also the context of network survivability. Moreover, the realization of the project should provide information on the possible areas where the optical networks with spatial flexibility should be deployed.