Method and system for an adaptive channel grid of an optical network

An optical network manager configured to:

• determine a first desired power level of a first channel of an optical network;
• determine a second desired power level of a second channel of the optical network, the second desired power level being less than the first desired power level;
• determine a first spectral space between the first channel and one or more channels neighboring the first channel based at least on the first desired power level;
• determine a second spectral space between the second channel and one or more channels neighboring the second channel based at least on the second desired power level, the second spectral space being less than the first spectral space.

A system for transmitting optical channels with adaptive spacing comprising:

• a first optical transmitter configured to transmit a first channel of an optical network;
• a second optical transmitter configured to transmit a second channel of the optical network;
• an optical amplifier configured to:
• amplify the first channel according to a first desired power level;
• and
• amplify the second channel according to a second desired power level, the second desired power level being less than the first desired power level;
• and
• a channel assignment unit configured to:
• assign a first wavelength to the first channel according to a first spectral space between the first channel and one or more channels neighboring the first channel, the first spectral space based on the first power level;
• and
• assign a second wavelength to the second channel according to a second spectral space between the second channel and one or more channels neighboring the second channel, the second spectral space based on the second power level and less than the first spectral space.