Method and apparatus for designing any-to-any optical signal-to-noise ratio in optical networks

An apparatus to plan deployment of optical network elements comprising:

• a display module to display a model of Optical Signal to Noise Ratio (OSNR) margins of optical signals on a path-by-path basis as a function of characteristics of models of optical network elements and paths in a representation of a topology of an optical network;
• an identification module to identify locations within the topology at which optical regeneration of the optical signal may be planned on a wavelength-by-wavelength basis;
• an enablement module to enable a user to select at least one location at which to plan the optical regeneration;
• a modification module to change characteristics of the models of optical network elements within the topology based on planned regeneration;
• and
• the display module arranged to redisplay the model of OSNR margins as a function of changed characteristics to consolidate planned regeneration among the optical network elements within the representation of the topology.

A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer readable code stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to:

• display a model of Optical Signal to Noise Ratio (OSNR) margins of optical signals on a path-by-path basis as a function of characteristics of models of optical network elements and paths in a representation of a topology of an optical network;
• identify locations within the topology at which optical regeneration of the optical signal may be planned on a wavelength-by-wavelength basis;
• enable a user to select at least one location at which to plan the optical regeneration;
• change characteristics of the models of optical network elements within the topology based on planned regeneration;
• and
• redisplay the model of OSNR margins as a function of changed characteristics to consolidate planned regeneration among the optical network elements within the representation of the topology.