ROADMs are systems that allow the very flexible, remote selection of wavelengths transiting a given intermediate node on a fiber network for dropping and/or adding. They allow access to any of the wavelengths going through a node (or, in more limited ROADM implementations, access to a set of the transiting wavelengths) for use of the data on the chosen wavelength and the possibility of adding to, or modifying, the data on that wavelength for transmitting it on to the next node(s). They also allow the interconnection of multiple intersecting networks (multiple degree nodes) at the optical level, avoiding the expense and complexity of OEO conversions to achieve the interconnection. The device offers the promise of substantial savings in operations costs, and many operational benefits.

In the six or so years of previous ROADM history, we have witnessed a continuum of advancing capabilities and technologies in ROADMS. Now several companies have recently introduced products that are Edge ROADMS (although the name is certainly not standardized) with reduced capabilities, and re-use of existing technology on a cost-reduced basis.

Now in early 2008, the ROADM has become a standard part of long-haul networks – to be included as a matter of course in any new network, and they have become a major update objective for existing networks. They have also become of important to metro networks. In addition to the maturity of application, ROADMs have also developed a third generation technology base – the Wavelength Selective Switch (WSS) that has quickly become the ‘gold standard.’ Now the new application that is driving cost savings is the use of low cost ROADMs on the Edge of the network.

Our focus for this report is the edge ROADM. There are forecasts (probably the first available anywhere), application sketches, complete vendor coverage, technology discussions, etc — all aimed at the edge ROADM. While the edge ROADM is our focus, the report also contains a complete update on all aspects of core and metro ROADMs, as well — including forecasts (with component forecast separately provided), application information, full technology discussions, and complete vendor information.

• Comprehensive Coverage of Components for ROAM types.

• Coverage of Four Generations of ROADMs.
• Including WSS and Edge ROADMs
  
  
• One of the first reports to ever cover components for Edge ROADMs – includes application descriptions; quantity, price and market forecasts; Vendors; and technologies.
  
  
• Full description of the forecasting methodology used in the report.
  
  
• Description of underlying technologies of ROADMs and how various components are used.
  
  
• Exhaustive listing of vendors. Vendors’ lists and discussions, separated into Component Vendors and tunable laser and filters vendors. All highlighting most current products.
  
  
• Extensive Forecasts for ROADMs:
  • By Type
  • By Region (USA and World)
  • By System Quantities
    
    
• Extensive Forecasts for ROADM Components and Subassemblies:
• Components Forecasts in same detail as Systems
• Nine different components included.
  
  
• Report has over 130 pages.
  
  
• Report has over 50 figures – drawings, tables, and graphs, all exclusive to this report.
  
  
• By an author with extensive consulting experience in the field and the author of six other major ROADM reports – Clifford R. Holliday.
  
  
• From the Lightwave Series of Consistent, Compatible reports on the new Lightwave Network!
  

Table of Contents

Table of Figures

The Lightwave Network Series of Reports

The Lightwave Network

The Lightwave Series of Reports

General Reports on the Network
General Market Reports
Specific Systems Reports

Executive Summary

Introduction

This Report

Achieving SONET-like Control in Optical Networks

Technologies for ROADMs

Switches and Blocker

MEMS

Approaches to MEMS

Digital Approach
Analog Approach
One Dimension MEMS

Grating Light Valve (GLV)
Planar Lightwave Circuits
Liquid Crystal

LQ Uses

Fiber Bragg Grating

Mux/Demuxes

AWG Devices
Etched Waveguide Devices (Planar Waveguide Devices)

Tunable Lasers

Monitor Points

Technology Summary

Summary of Features by Class
Importance of Tunable Lasers

Developers and Vendors of Tunable Lasers

Market Forecast

Forecast Methodology

Model for Forecast Core and Metro ROADMs

2005
2006
2008 and on
Assumptions of Model

Model for Forecast — Edge ROADMs

Systems

Systems — US Forecast
US Edge ROADMs

Systems — World Forecast

World System Forecast
World Edge Systems Forecast

Components

Assumptions for Component Forecasts

Pricing for Components

Components — US Forecast

Blocker US Market Forecast
Mux/Demux US Market Forecast
Tunable Laser US Market Forecast
Tunable Filters US Market Forecast
Switch Points US Forecast
Monitor Points US Market Forecast
WSS Units US Market
Total Components US Market Forecast

Components — Global Forecast

Blockers Global Market Forecast
Mux/Demux Global Market Forecast
Tunable Laser Global Market Forecast
Tunable Filter Global Market Forecast
Switch Points Global Market Forecast
Monitor Points Global Forecast
WSS Units World Market
Components Total Global Forecast

ROADM Components Vendors

Major Contracts

Component/Subassembly Vendors

Component/Subassembly Vendor Listing

AC Photonics, Inc.
Active Optical MEMS, Inc.
Aegis Lightwave, Inc.
Agiltron, Inc.
Alliance Fiber Optic Products
ANdevices (Enablenace Technologies)
AOC Technologies
Auxora, Inc.
Avanex Corporation
Avo Photonics
Capella Photonics
Clarendon Photonics
CoAdna Photonics
Corning
Corrigent
Cube Optics AG
DiCon Fiberoptics
DuPont Photonics Technologies
Emit Technology Co. Ltd.
Enablence Technologies
Engana Pty. Ltd. (Optium Corp.)
Fibernett. Co. Ltd.
Finisar Corporation
FOCI Fiber Optic Communications, Inc.
Guangzhou Yongda Optical Comm. Tech. Dev
Hitachi Chemical Co. America Ltd.
Hitachi Cable
Hitachi Metals America, Ltd.
Infineon Technologies
Inplane Photonics, Inc.
Intel Corporation
JDS Uniphase
Kaiser Optical Systems, Inc
Kamelian (Amphotonix Ltd)
Lambda Optical Systems
LightComm Technology
LIGHTCONNECT Inc (NeoPhotonics)
Lightwaves2020 Inc.
Lynx Photonic Networks
Mahi Networks (Meriton)
Metconnex (JDSU)
NeoPhotonics
Network Photonics (Not in Operation)
OLYMPUS MICROSYSTEMS AMERICA INC.
O-Net Communications Ltd.
Oplink Communications, Inc.
Optium Technologies
Optoplex
OpTun Inc. (NEoPhotonics)
Osaki Electric Co., Ltd.
Paxera Corp. (neoPhotonics)
Polychromix
Redfern Optical Components Pty Ltd.
SDO Communications Corp.
Shenzhen Hi-Optel Technology Co. Ltd.
Silicon Light Machines (Cypress Semiconductor)
Sinclair Manufacturing Company
SpectraSwitch
Stratos International, Inc.
TeraXion Inc.
TheFibers Inc.
Topfiber Technology
TransOptix
Valdor Fiber Optics
Xerox
Xtellus

Tunable Lasers Vendors List

ADC
Altitun AB (ADC)
Bookham (New Focus, Inc.)
Corning
Hewlett-Packard
Intel
JDS Uniphase
Marconi
Nortel
Paxera
Pirelli Broadband Systems
Santur

Appendix III — Listing of Acronyms

Figure 1: Lightwave Network

Figure 2, Components in the Report

Figure 3: Detailed PLC ROADMs

Figure 4: Detailed Blocker ROADM

Figure 5: MEMS Layout

Figure 6: Sketch of Two Dimensional MEMS

Figure 7: Sketch of Multi-Dimensional MEMS

Figure 8: 1D MEMS

Figure 9: Sketch of Liquid Crystal Technology

Figure 10: Planar Waveguide Demux

Figure 11, Technologies' Summary

Figure 12: Table of Switch Classes — Summary of Features

Figure 13: Example of Use of Tunable Laser in Transparent OXC

Figure 14: ROADM System Unit Forecast — US

Figure 15: US Market — Change in Predominant Type of ROADM over Time

Figure 16: US Edge ROADMs Systems

Figure 17: US ROADM as a Percent of Global Usage

Figure 18: ROADM Systems — Global

Figure 19: World Market — Change in Predominant Type of ROADM over Time

Figure 20: US Portion of World Edge ROADM Market

Figure 21: World Systems — Edge ROADMs

Figure 22: US Systems by Type

Figure 23: PLC Version of the ROADM

Figure 24: Broadcast/Blocker Version of the ROADM

Figure 25: WSS Typical for Component Count

Figure 26: Component Count for Each Type of ROADM

Figure 27: Component Price Table

Figure 28: Components — US Units

Figure 29: Blocker US Market Forecast

Figure 30: Mux/Demux US Market Forecast

Figure 31: Tunable Laser US Market Forecast

Figure 32: Tunable Filters US Market Forecast

Figure 33: Switch Points US Market Forecast

Figure 34: US Market — LC Switch Points

Figure 35: US Market — MEMS Switch Points

Figure 36: Monitor Points US Market

Figure 37: US Market — WSS Units

Figure 38: Total Components US Market Forecast

Figure 39: Components Units Global Forecast

Figure 40: Blocker Global Market Forecast

Figure 41: Mux/Demux Market Forecast

Figure 42: Tunable Laser Global Forecast

Figure 43: Tunable Filters Global Market Forecast

Figure 44: Switch Points Global Market Forecast

Figure 45: World LC Switch Point Market

Figure 46: World MEMS Switch Point Market

Figure 47: Monitor Points Global Forecast

Figure 48: World WSS Units Market

Figure 49: Components Total Global Forecast

Figure 50: U-Verse: FiOS ROADM Vendors

Figure 51: Summary Table — Sub-system Vendors