High-Degree ROADM Node Architecture With OXC-WSS Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ROADM solutions face limitations in scalability, flexibility, and performance degradation due to constraints in directionless feature and extensive cross-connect configurations, leading to inefficiencies and underutilization of network capacity.
Innovation Solution
A flexible node design for a high-degree ROADM incorporating a combination of optical cross-connects (OXC) and wavelength-selective switches (WSS), allowing for independent operation and interconnection of MEMS and WSS components to enhance scalability and flexibility while maintaining directionless capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional ROADM solutions use extensive cross-connect configurations and multiple switches to facilitate connectivity, then the network capacity and connectivity are improved, but the device complexity and insertion loss increase, leading to performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the OXC and WSS into a unified ROADM architecture where the OXC handles fiber-to-fiber switching and the WSS handles wavelength-selective operations. This merging eliminates the need for separate cross-connect configurations and multiple switches, reducing device complexity while maintaining full connectivity through coordinated operation of the integrated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The OXC is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides both fiber switching and wavelength routing capabilities, eliminating the need for dedicated cross-connect devices. The WSS similarly provides wavelength selection, filtering, and routing in a single component, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional ROADM solutions use multiple switches and extensive cross-connect configurations, then connectivity is improved, but insertion loss increases leading to performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the OXC and WSS into a tightly integrated architecture with direct interconnection, the patent eliminates multiple discrete optical paths and intermediate coupling points that would each contribute to insertion loss. The direct coupling between OXC outputs and WSS inputs minimizes transmission losses while maintaining full connectivity.
3Productivity
If ROADM solutions are scaled to high-degree nodes, then network capacity is improved, but directionless feature is compromised and switching performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The OXC provides universal switching capability that is direction-agnostic, allowing high-degree nodes to maintain the directionless feature. The WSS complements this with wavelength-selective operations that work independently of physical orientation. Together, they enable high-degree connectivity while preserving the directionless characteristic essential for robust optical networking.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect, a flexible node design for a high-degree ROADM is provided. In an embodiment, this design is implemented as a network node. The network node includes a plurality of optical input and a plurality of optical outputs. The network node further includes a MEMS (or other Optical Cross Connect, OXC) component and a WSS component, where each of the OXC and the WSS component has a set of inputs of the plurality of optical inputs and a set of outputs of the plurality of optical outputs. In some embodiments, the network node has a set of add inputs supported by one or both of the OXC and WSS components. In some embodiments, the network node has a set of drop outputs supported by one or both of the OXC and WSS components.