Margin-based optimization systems and methods in optical networks to unblock superchannels

A controller for optimizing capacity of an optical network, through intentionally reducing margin on one or more wavelengths, the controller comprising:

• a processor communicatively coupled to a network interface;
• and
• memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to
• identify a first optical signal that occupies a first portion of optical spectrum from the first point to the second point in the optical network,
• identify a second optical signal that occupies a second portion of the optical spectrum from the first point to the second point, wherein the second portion is adjacent to the first portion,
• perform a nonlinear optimization with excess margin in the optical network that models bit rate, Optical Signal to Noise Ratio (OSNR), and whether or not a wavelength can support additional capacity as real functions;
• adjust the second optical signal to minimize or remove part of the second portion that is adjacent to the first optical signal to provide a freed up portion of the second portion, and
• adjust the first optical signal to occupy some or all of the freed up portion, wherein the first optical signal and the second optical signal are adjusted in response to a result of the nonlinear optimization.

An optical network, comprising:

• a plurality of nodes interconnected by a plurality of links;
• and
• a controller communicatively coupled to one or more of the plurality of nodes, wherein the controller is configured to
• identify a first optical signal that occupies a first portion of optical spectrum from a first node to a second node over some of the plurality of links,
• identify a second optical signal that occupies a second portion of the optical spectrum from the first point to the second point, wherein the second portion is adjacent to the first portion,
• perform a nonlinear optimization with excess margin in the optical network that models bit rate, Optical Signal to Noise Ratio (OSNR), and whether or not a wavelength can support additional capacity as real functions;
• adjust the second optical signal to minimize or remove part of the second portion that is adjacent to the first optical signal to provide a freed up portion of the second portion, and
• adjust the first optical signal to occupy some or all of the freed up portion, wherein the first optical signal and the second optical signal are adjusted in response to a result of the nonlinear optimization.