Abstract

Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) networks with reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers (ROADMs) realize automatic scheduling and restoration at the wavelength level and are therefore part of the solution to meet increasing bandwidth and routing flexibility requirements for transport networks. The wavelength selective switch (WSS) is the key component in all commercial ROADM systems. Liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) technology dominates current WSS installations as LCoS-based WSS can support Flexgrid technology enabled networks, and high port counts with excellent performance. WSS designs are becoming increasingly specialized for a wide variety of applications. For single WSS used in broadcast and select (B&S) architecture, superior port isolation is key for the desired signal to be filtered from the whole spectrum. While for twin WSS deployed in route and select (R&S) nodes, many features are desired for various network applications. These include multiple common ports, premium ports with superior port isolation, and high port counts. Future WSS may be asked to address a number of different end user applications, and as such there is a demand for combinations of custom spectrum range, compact form factors, increased WSS port count, low cost, thermal and mechanical ruggedization. The first commercially available quad WSS is part of this increasing trend of utilization of WSS throughout network architectures.

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