Reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexor and optical switching node
First Claim
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1. A ROADM comprising:
- at least one input wavelength-selective switch (WSS) having an input port for inputting a plurality of input wavelength channels, and a plurality of intermediate ports, wherein the input WSS is configured for independently redirecting the input wavelength channels to the intermediate ports for output as through or DROP wavelength channels;
at least one ADD switch, each comprising;
a plurality of ingress ports for launching ADD wavelength channels,a plurality of egress ports for outputting the ADD wavelength channels,a first array of directors for redirecting the ADD wavelength channels impinging thereon to a selected egress port, anda first wavelength-selective coupler for coupling the ingress ports to the array of directors, and the array of directors to the egress ports,at least one DROP switch, each comprising;
a plurality of ingress ports, one of which coupled to one of the intermediate ports of the input WSS for receiving the DROP wavelength channels,a plurality of egress ports for outputting the DROP wavelength channels,a second array of directors for redirecting the DROP wavelength channels impinging thereon to a selected one of the egress ports, anda second wavelength-selective coupler for coupling the ingress ports to the second array of directors, and the second array of directors to the egress ports,wherein each director of the first and second arrays corresponds to a unique center wavelength, and each director is disposed with respect to the respective wavelength-selective coupler for receiving any and all wavelength channels at the corresponding center wavelength at a single location from any one of the ingress ports, wherein each director has a plurality of independently controllable states, wherein each of the states defines a single coupling relationship between the ingress ports and the egress ports, whereby different wavelength channels are independently switchable by different directors of the array between the ingress and the egress ports;
at least one output WSS having a plurality of entrance ports, each of the entrance ports coupled to a respective one of the intermediate ports of each input WSS or a respective one of the egress ports of each ADD switch for inputting the through and ADD wavelength channels to be combined into an output WDM signal, and an exit port for outputting the output WDM signal; and
a controller coupled to the input and output WSS and the ADD and DROP switches, for controlling wavelength channel routing therethrough.
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Abstract
A colorless, directionless ROADM includes a pair of contentioned add and drop wavelength-selective optical switches, an input wavelength-selective optical switch having one input port, and an output wavelength-selective optical switch having one output port. Unintended input-to-output port couplings, which appear in the “contentioned” add and drop switches, can be mitigated by the input and output wavelength-selective optical switches carrying the through traffic.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A ROADM comprising:
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at least one input wavelength-selective switch (WSS) having an input port for inputting a plurality of input wavelength channels, and a plurality of intermediate ports, wherein the input WSS is configured for independently redirecting the input wavelength channels to the intermediate ports for output as through or DROP wavelength channels; at least one ADD switch, each comprising; a plurality of ingress ports for launching ADD wavelength channels, a plurality of egress ports for outputting the ADD wavelength channels, a first array of directors for redirecting the ADD wavelength channels impinging thereon to a selected egress port, and a first wavelength-selective coupler for coupling the ingress ports to the array of directors, and the array of directors to the egress ports, at least one DROP switch, each comprising; a plurality of ingress ports, one of which coupled to one of the intermediate ports of the input WSS for receiving the DROP wavelength channels, a plurality of egress ports for outputting the DROP wavelength channels, a second array of directors for redirecting the DROP wavelength channels impinging thereon to a selected one of the egress ports, and a second wavelength-selective coupler for coupling the ingress ports to the second array of directors, and the second array of directors to the egress ports, wherein each director of the first and second arrays corresponds to a unique center wavelength, and each director is disposed with respect to the respective wavelength-selective coupler for receiving any and all wavelength channels at the corresponding center wavelength at a single location from any one of the ingress ports, wherein each director has a plurality of independently controllable states, wherein each of the states defines a single coupling relationship between the ingress ports and the egress ports, whereby different wavelength channels are independently switchable by different directors of the array between the ingress and the egress ports; at least one output WSS having a plurality of entrance ports, each of the entrance ports coupled to a respective one of the intermediate ports of each input WSS or a respective one of the egress ports of each ADD switch for inputting the through and ADD wavelength channels to be combined into an output WDM signal, and an exit port for outputting the output WDM signal; and a controller coupled to the input and output WSS and the ADD and DROP switches, for controlling wavelength channel routing therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A ROADM comprising:
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at least one input wavelength-selective switch (WSS) having an input port for inputting a plurality of input wavelength channels, and a plurality of intermediate ports, wherein the input WSS is configured for independently redirecting the input wavelength channels to the intermediate ports for output as through or DROP wavelength channels; at least one ADD switch, each comprising; a plurality of ingress ports for launching ADD wavelength channels, a plurality of egress ports for outputting the ADD wavelength channels, a first array of directors for redirecting the ADD wavelength channels impinging thereon to a selected egress port, and a first wavelength-selective coupler for coupling the ingress ports to the array of directors, and the array of directors to the egress ports, at least one DROP switch, each comprising; a plurality of ingress ports, one of which coupled to one of the intermediate ports of the input WSS for receiving the DROP wavelength channels, a plurality of egress ports for outputting the DROP wavelength channels, a second array of directors for redirecting the DROP wavelength channels impinging thereon to a selected one of the egress ports, and a second wavelength-selective coupler for coupling the ingress ports to the second array of directors, and the second array of directors to the egress ports, wherein each director of the first and second arrays corresponds to a unique center wavelength, and each director is disposed with respect to the respective wavelength-selective coupler for receiving any and all wavelength channels at the corresponding center wavelength at a single location from any one of the ingress ports, wherein each director has a plurality of independently controllable states, wherein each of the states defines a single coupling relationship between the ingress ports and the egress ports, whereby different wavelength channels are independently switchable by different directors of the array between the ingress and the egress ports; at least one output WSS having a plurality of entrance ports, each of the entrance ports coupled to a respective one of the intermediate ports of each input WSS or a respective one of the egress ports of each ADD switch for inputting the through and ADD wavelength channels to be combined into an output WDM signal, and an exit port for outputting the output WDM signal, wherein at least one of the ADD and DROP switches comprises a plurality of optical circulators each having an input port, a common port, and an output port, wherein the common ports of the plurality of circulators are coupled to the wavelength-selective coupler of the least one of the ADD and DROP switches, and each input and output port of each one of the plurality of circulators is coupled to a unique one of the ingress and egress ports, respectively, of the least one of the ADD and DROP switches.
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12. An optical switching node comprising:
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two ROADMS, each comprising; at least one input wavelength-selective switch (WSS) having an input port for inputting a plurality of input wavelength channels, and a plurality of intermediate ports, wherein the input WSS is configured for independently redirecting the input wavelength channels to the intermediate ports for output as through or DROP wavelength channels; at least one ADD switch, each comprising; a plurality of ingress ports for launching ADD wavelength channels, a plurality of egress ports for outputting the ADD wavelength channels, a first array of directors for redirecting the ADD wavelength channels impinging thereon to a selected egress port, and a first wavelength-selective coupler for coupling the ingress ports to the array of directors, and the array of directors to the egress ports, at least one DROP switch, each comprising; a plurality of ingress ports, one of which coupled to one of the intermediate ports of the input WSS for receiving the DROP wavelength channels, a plurality of egress ports for outputting the DROP wavelength channels, a second array of directors for redirecting the DROP wavelength channels impinging thereon to a selected one of the egress ports, and a second wavelength-selective coupler for coupling the ingress ports to the second array of directors, and the second array of directors to the egress ports, wherein each director of the first and second arrays corresponds to a unique center wavelength, and each director is disposed with respect to the respective wavelength-selective coupler for receiving any and all wavelength channels at the corresponding center wavelength at a single location from any one of the ingress ports, wherein each director has a plurality of independently controllable states, wherein each of the states defines a single coupling relationship between the ingress ports and the egress ports, whereby different wavelength channels are independently switchable by different directors of the array between the ingress and the egress ports; at least one output WSS having a plurality of entrance ports, each of the entrance ports coupled to a respective one of the intermediate ports of each input WSS or a respective one of the egress ports of each ADD switch for inputting the through and ADD wavelength channels to be combined into an output WDM signal, and an exit port for outputting the output WDM signal; and a controller coupled to the input and output WSS and the ADD and DROP switches of the first and second ROADMs, for controlling wavelength channel routing therethrough, wherein the controller is configured for routing individual wavelength channels so as to prevent two wavelength channels at a same center wavelength from simultaneously entering a same one of the ADD or DROP switches of the first and second ROADMs. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A method of wavelength-selective routing of optical signals, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a ROADM comprising; at least one input wavelength-selective switch (WSS) having an input port for inputting a plurality of input wavelength channels, and a plurality of intermediate ports, wherein the input WSS is configured for independently redirecting the input wavelength channels to the intermediate ports for output as through or DROP wavelength channels; at least one ADD switch, each comprising; a plurality of ingress ports for launching ADD wavelength channels, a plurality of egress ports for outputting the ADD wavelength channels, a first array of directors for redirecting the ADD wavelength channels impinging thereon to a selected egress port, and a first wavelength-selective coupler for coupling the ingress ports to the array of directors, and the array of directors to the egress ports, at least one DROP switch, each comprising; a plurality of ingress ports, one of which coupled to one of the intermediate ports of the input WSS for receiving the DROP wavelength channels, a plurality of egress ports for outputting the DROP wavelength channels, a second array of directors for redirecting the DROP wavelength channels impinging thereon to a selected one of the egress ports, and a second wavelength-selective coupler for coupling the ingress ports to the second array of directors, and the second array of directors to the egress ports, wherein each director of the first and second arrays corresponds to a unique center wavelength, and each director is disposed with respect to the respective wavelength-selective coupler for receiving any and all wavelength channels at the corresponding center wavelength at a single location from any one of the ingress ports, wherein each director has a plurality of independently controllable states, wherein each of the states defines a single coupling relationship between the ingress ports and the egress ports, whereby different wavelength channels are independently switchable by different directors of the array between the ingress and the egress ports; at least one output WSS having a plurality of entrance ports, each of the entrance ports coupled to a respective one of the intermediate ports of each input WSS or a respective one of the egress ports of each ADD switch for inputting the through and ADD wavelength channels to be combined into an output WDM signal, and an exit port for outputting the output WDM signal; (b) building a first look-up table of DROP wavelength channels directed from the input port to the DROP switch, wherein each DROP wavelength channel of the first look-up table has a center wavelength that is different from a center wavelength of every other channel in the first look-up table; (c) upon completion of step (b), receiving a command to drop a first wavelength channel; (d) upon completion of step (c), determining that a center wavelength of the first wavelength channel is different from a center wavelength of every DROP wavelength channel in the first look-up table; (e) upon completion of step (d), controlling the input WSS to direct the first wavelength channel to the DROP switch; and (f) upon completion of step (d), adding the first wavelength channel to the first look-up table. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A method of wavelength-selective routing of optical signals, the method comprising:
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(A) providing an optical switching node comprising two ROADMs, each comprising; at least one input wavelength-selective switch (WSS) having an input port for inputting a plurality of input wavelength channels, and a plurality of intermediate ports, wherein the input WSS is configured for independently redirecting the input wavelength channels to the intermediate ports for output as through or DROP wavelength channels; at least one ADD switch, each comprising; a plurality of ingress ports for launching ADD wavelength channels, a plurality of egress ports for outputting the ADD wavelength channels, a first array of directors for redirecting the ADD wavelength channels impinging thereon to a selected egress port, and a first wavelength-selective coupler for coupling the ingress ports to the array of directors, and the array of directors to the egress ports, at least one DROP switch, each comprising; a plurality of ingress ports, one of which coupled to one of the intermediate ports of the input WSS for receiving the DROP wavelength channels, a plurality of egress ports for outputting the DROP wavelength channels, a second array of directors for redirecting the DROP wavelength channels impinging thereon to a selected one of the egress ports, and a second wavelength-selective coupler for coupling the ingress ports to the second array of directors, and the second array of directors to the egress ports, wherein each director of the first and second arrays corresponds to a unique center wavelength, and each director is disposed with respect to the respective wavelength-selective coupler for receiving any and all wavelength channels at the corresponding center wavelength at a single location from any one of the ingress ports, wherein each director has a plurality of independently controllable states, wherein each of the states defines a single coupling relationship between the ingress ports and the egress ports, whereby different wavelength channels are independently switchable by different directors of the array between the ingress and the egress ports; at least one output WSS having a plurality of entrance ports, each of the entrance ports coupled to a respective one of the intermediate ports of each input WSS or a respective one of the egress ports of each ADD switch for inputting the through and ADD wavelength channels to be combined into an output WDM signal, and an exit port for outputting the output WDM signal; (B) coupling one of the ingress ports of the DROP switch of a first one of the two ROADMs to one of the intermediate ports of a second one of the two ROADMs, and coupling one of the egress ports of the ADD switch of the first ROADM to one of the entrance ports of the second ROADM; (C) building a third look-up table of DROP wavelength channels directed from the input ports of the first and second ROADMs to the DROP switch of the first ROADM, wherein each DROP wavelength channel of the third look-up table has a center wavelength that is different from a center wavelength of every other channel in the third look-up table; (D) building a fourth look-up table of DROP wavelength channels directed from the input ports of the first and second ROADMs to the DROP switch of the second ROADM, wherein each DROP wavelength channel of the fourth look-up table has a center wavelength that is different from a center wavelength of every other DROP wavelength channel in the fourth look-up table; (E) upon completion of steps (C) and (D), receiving a command to drop a third wavelength channel to the DROP switch of the first ROADM, and a fourth wavelength channel to the DROP switch of the second ROADM; (F) upon completion of step (E), determining that a center wavelength of the third and fourth wavelength channels is different from a center wavelength of every DROP wavelength channel in the third and fourth look-up tables, respectively; (G) upon completion of step (F), controlling the input WSS of the first and second ROADM to direct the third and fourth wavelength channels to the DROP switch of the first and second ROADM, respectively; and (H) upon completion of step (F), adding the third and fourth wavelength channels to the third and fourth look-up tables, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification