OPTICAL ADD-DROP MULTIPLEXER

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 OTN

OXC OA OXC

OXC OA OXC REG

OADM
OADM
OADM OADM
OA OADM
OADM
OLT
OLT

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 OADM (Optical Add Drop Multiplexer)

Dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) systems have become the

standard technology in high capacity telecommunication networks ranging in
distance from a few kilometers to thousands of kilometers. Commercial DWDM
systems use wavelengths modulated at 2.5, 10, 40, or 100Gb/s covering the C
and L band spectral range with typical frequency spacing between channels of
100 GHz or 50 GHz. These wavelengths are added and dropped from the multi-
wavelength network fiber at geographical locations or nodes. Such network
nodes, known as optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) nodes use optical filters to
add/drop the desired wavelengths, while passing through all other wavelengths
towards other OADM nodes in the network. The optical drop information can be
processed in the optical format or generally is converted to electronic format for
processing and switching (subwavelength granuality). Over the past few years,
there has been a growing trend to add wavelength reconfigurability to OADM
nodes (ROADMs), thereby allowing remote changes to the add/drop traffic
pattern across the network.

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 OADM (Optical Add Drop Multiplexer)

The optical add-drop multiplexer

(OADM) has the ability to switch traffic
from a DWDM system at the
wavelength layer. This allows
individual wavelengths carrying data
channels to be added and dropped
from a transport fiber without
converting the signals on all of the
DWDM channels to electronic signals
and back again to optical signals.
Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications
 RINGs - OADM

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

Fixed-OADM (FOADM)

FOADM FOADM

Semi-reconfigurable OADM (SOADM)

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

FOADM - Thin Film Filters

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

FOADM - FIBER BRAGG GRATING (FBG)

, ε = 0.5 j

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 FOADM - FBG

OC OC
1 32 2 31
In FBG Out
λBragg=λ
Drop Add

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

SOADM: FBGs - OCs-2x2 Optical Switchs

four-port Optical
Circulator

Each cell is composed of a piece of 2X2 MEMS optical switch, a

four-port OC (Optical Circulator) and a tunable FBG whose central
Bragg wavelength matching the DWDM signal ki is adjustable.

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 BFOADM - FBG - OA

FGBWEST
λEAST λWEST λEAST

WEST λWEST EAST

UOA λWEST
λEAST λEAST
λEAST 1
6
λWEST λWEST 6 5 λEAST
IN1 IN2
5 2 4
FGB1 FGB2 1
λWEST 3 λEAST λWEST
4 3
OC1 λWEST
2 OC2
λEAST
λEAST
λWEST λWEST
DROP ADD
FGBEAST

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 OADM

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 SWITCHES

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 Switch Mirror

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 MEMS
MEMS: Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems
Integration of mechanical and optical elements, actuators, and electronics
on a common silicon substrate through microfabrication technology

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 MEMS

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 MEMS

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 MEMS 2D

Active mirror Non-active mirror

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 MEMS 3D

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

SWITCHES - MEMS

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 MEMS-OADM

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

MEMS-Applications: Switches

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 OADM

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

SOADM: First Tech.

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 SOADM - AWG

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

SOADM - 2x1 Switches

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 SOADM - AWG

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

SOADM - COLORLESS

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

Passive Wavelength Router (PWR): AWG

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 OADM - AWG

Optical Switch+AWG+Optical Coupler

AWG

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

OADM - Filter+Switch ARRAY

WC

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

WC (Wavelength Converter)

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 OADM - WC

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

OADM - Filter+Electronic Switch ARRAY

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

OADM-BLOCKER: Second Tech.

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 OADM-BLOCKER

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 BLOCKER

VOAs

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

BLOCKER application: Power channel equalization

CONVENTIONAL IMPLEMENTATION USING BLOCKER

IMPLEMENTATION

High Insertion Loss > 10dB Single Device Reduces Complexity

Large Form Factor Low Insertion Loss , Reduces Network Cost
High Cost Dynamically Reconfigurable
Development Labor Intensive Low CD and PDL Allows Cascading of DCE’s

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

BLOCKER application: wavelength routing

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 BLOCKER

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 Reconfigurable OADM: ROADM

This versatility of ROADM-enabled DWDM systems translates to several benefits

for the network operator including simpler network planning, installation and
turn-up, and a simplified process of adding new wavelengths to the network.
The elimination of manual fiber connections upon changes in wavelength
add/drop pattern also reduces the time required to implement these changes
and increases network availability. All these benefits contribute to a reduction in
operating expenses of the DWDM network. Capital expenses can also be
reduced in ROADM networks by eliminating opto-electronic conversion and
switching of each wavelength at fiber junction nodes, and accomplishing the
same function with multi-degree ROADM nodes. Wavelength power equalization,
typically available at ROADM nodes, can also increase the optical transmission
distance, eliminating potential opto-electronic regeneration points and their
associated cost. Equally important, ROADMs represent a key element required
for DWDM networks to evolve towards new network topologies, from the
prevalent point-to-point and ring based fiber connectivity to meshed networks.
New types of telecommunication services, whereby wavelength connections are
scheduled for shorter time intervals than in today’s networks, are also made
possible by the remote and automated wavelength switching capability of
ROADMs.

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 ROADM - MEMS

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

ROADM - Hologram Gratings

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 ROADM: Third Tech.

WSS-based ROADM
Express
DROP ADD

WSS (Wavelength Selective Switch)

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

ROADM-Wavelength Selective Switch (WSS)

WSS WSS

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 ROADM-WSS

The key element of a ROADM node is a wavelength-selective

switch (WSS), capable of demultiplexing, multiplexing, and
switching DWDM wavelengths between one, or multiple input
fiber ports, and one or more output fiber ports. Common
WSS subsystems provide 1 input (or output) port, and N
output (or input) ports where N can be up to 9 at present, but
increasing port counts up to 20–23 ports are expected in the
near future. The wavelength selective switch is typically also
capable of adjusting the attenuation for each wavelength on
the output port(s), or blocking it altogether. This requires
additional components to monitor the output power per
channel. Other optical components, which may be found
within a ROADM node are: 1:N power splitters or couplers,
multiplexers and demultiplexers for local wavelengths, taps
for power monitoring, amplifiers for pass-through and/or add
and drop channels.

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 ROADM - WSS

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 WSS

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 WSS

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 WSS

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 ROADM - WSS

WSS WSS

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 ROADM - WSS

WSS

WSS

WSS

WSS

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 Unidirectional Ring - OADM

In Figure additional flexibility is provided by the wavelength-

independent (colorless) ROADM configuration employing a 1xN
WSS and an N:1 coupler. This ROADM type used in conjunction with
transponders employing tunable lasers allows any wavelength to be
terminated at a given transponder. Note that in this case, power
equalization cannot be accomplished between the channels on the
add and express paths.

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 ROADM - MEMS

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

Unidirectional Ring - OADM

DROP and CONTINUE: MULTICAST

WSS
Add
Comb.
Drop
WSS

Rx Tx Rx Tx

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 Unidirectional Ring - 2x1 WSS
The Figure shows a common ROADM node configuration using a power splitter to transmit all channels
towards the drop and pass-through paths. Only one direction of propagation through the ROADM node is
shown. The wavelength selective switch with two input ports and one output port selects wavelengths
coming from either the multiplexer or the splitter while blocking the same wavelength from the other port. It
becomes apparent that any residual power that is not blocked on the pass-through path becomes in-band
crosstalk for the add channel. This potential problem can be alleviated by replacing the power splitter with
another WSS operating with one input and 2 output ports, thereby improving the isolation between the add
and pass through channels. However, the crosstalk penalties in a single WSS ROADM are usually low and
can be accommodated in the system OSNR or Q factor budget, while the increased cost of the second WSS
makes this solution less desirable in practical applications. Although this ROADM node offers the choice of
passing through or adding any combination of wavelengths from the network fiber, the wavelength-specific
connections between the demultiplexer and the receiver prevents a transponder from being used on any
other wavelengths without manual fiber reconnection.

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 ROADM 2x1 WSS

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 ROADM 2x1 WSS
Splitter+Tunable Filters

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 Unidirectional Ring - 2x1 WSS

In the next Figure an alternative colorless ROADM design with full wavelength equalization
capability is achieved by combining the 2x1 WSS and 1:2 coupler with the 1xN WSS and N:1
coupler.

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 ROADM - WSS

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 ROADM - WSS

IN OUT

ROADM

DCM
Transponder

Regenerator
Transponder

WC

DXC

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

Unidirectional Ring - OADM
UNIDIRECTIONAL RING - WDM PROTECTION

work work

protection protection

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 Unidirectional Ring - OADM
UNIDIRECTIONAL RING - WDM PROTECTION
work protection
work work

NP
NP PP
protection protection
protection protection
NP

NP PP
work protection NP

NP
NP PP

protection protection
work work

work work
protection protection NP PP

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

Unidirectional Ring - ROADM

UNIRECTIONAL RING- CHANNEL PROTECTION

Comb.
Drop
WSS

Drop
WSS
Comb.

Tx Rx Tx Rx Tx Rx Tx Rx
Mapper / framer / exc Mapper / framer / exc
Tx Rx Tx Rx

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 Unidirectional Ring - ROADM

DROP and CONTINUE: MULTICAST

Comb.
Drop
WSS

WSS
Add
Comb.
WSS

Drop
WSS
Add

Tx Rx Tx Rx Tx Rx Tx Rx
Mapper / framer / exc Mapper / framer / exc
Tx Rx Tx Rx

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

Unidirectional Ring - ROADM
DROP and CONTINUE: MULTICAST

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

Bidirectional Ring - OADM

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 ROADM MESH

WSS WSS

WSS WSS

WSS WSS

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 ROADM MESH

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 WXC- WSS

Wavelength cross-connects
(WXC) provide wavelength
switching function at the all
optical layer.

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 WXC - OADM

Σi λi Σi λi
Σi λ i Σi λi

λ converters
OXC
Σi λi Σi λi
Σi λ i Σi λi

Tx and Rx

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

Multi-degree ROADM

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

ROADM: Optical Devices

Splitter
WSS

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

Multi-degree - ROADM

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

Multi-degree - ROADM

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 M Degree - ROADM

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 M Degree - ROADM

WSS
Add Split..

WSS
Split.

Add
Drop
WSS

Split.
WSS WSS WSS
Drop Comb. Drop Comb. Drop Comb.

ROADM Node
Degree = N

Directionless
Colorless
Rx Tx Rx Tx Rx Tx
Drop & Continue DWDM Tun. Transponders
 Add/Drop traffic

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 M Degree - ROADM

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 M Degree - ROADM

WSS WSS WSS

Rx 1 Rx 2 Rx 3

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 M Degree - ROADM

Splitters+ 1x4 Switches+

Tunable Filters

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 M Degree - ROADM

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 M Degree - ROADM

Contentionless
Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications
ROADM: Optical Devices

Splitter
WSS

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 ROADM: Optical Devices
EDFA (Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier)

Optical Performance
Monitoring

ROADM (Wavelenght Selective

Switch)

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 ROADM: New devices

Same dimensions for TFA-8

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 ROADM Evolution

ITU Grid Gridless (FlexGrid)

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications
 ROADM: New devices

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 FLEXGRID

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 LCoS Technology

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

 WSS - LCoS

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications

Future Flexible Optical Node

Telecomunicacions per Fibra Òptica - Optical Fiber Telecommunications