Multi-layer mechanisms to optimize optical transport network margin allocation

A software defined network (SDN) controller for optimizing optical transport, the SDN controller comprising:

• a transponder including a plurality of optical sources;
• a processor configured to define a margin optimization function based on at least one optical system performance metric, wherein the margin optimization function includes at least one related initiation criterion;
• a communication interface operatively coupled to the processor, the communication interface and the processor configured to collect at least one measurement for the at least one optical system performance metric, wherein the measurement includes an assessment of deployed carriers not carrying client data;
• the processor configured to determine whether the initiation criterion is met based on the at least one collected measurement;
• the processor configured to select a system margin optimization mechanism and define a system margin optimization threshold criterion on a condition that the initiation criterion is met;
• the processor configured to determine whether the system margin optimization threshold criterion is met;
• the communication interface and the processor configured to implement one or more optimization events on a condition that the system margin optimization threshold criterion is met, and
• the one or more optimization events includes controlling the plurality of optical sources in the transponder to transmit additional wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) carriers based on an output of the SDN controller.