Overview:
R-OADMs 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 R-OADM 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.
We have been writing about R-OADMs and their coming importance almost since the beginning of the technology. This is the fourth R-OADM report in our Lightwave series. Four years ago, we prepared our first report on R-OADMs – “R-OADMs – the Lightwave under Control.” At the time, very few authors were writing much about R-OADMs. As stated in that report it was, “… a report about a device that did not exist; whose technology was unselected; and whose market was very unclear.”
We followed our first report on this subject with a new discussion a year later with “R-OADMs – Still Here in 2004!” By then a few of the smaller DWDM system vendors had a Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer (R-OADM) offering, none of the major vendors (90%, or so, of the total market) had yet announced a product. Our next update, a year later, (“R-OADMs – Key to Upgrading the Newly Merged Networks,”) of that report noted, “Every major system vendor has a R-OADM offering, and more are on the way. This is very good timing because the RBOC-IXC mergers of early 2005 will require a great deal of network consolidation, and R-OADMs will be key.”
Now in early 2008, the R-OADM 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. Now the application that is driving cost savings is the use of low cost ROADMs on the Edge of the network. (See the material on Nistica, particularly, in the Systems Vendors’ section.) In addition to the maturity of application, R-OADMs have also developed a third generation technology base – the Wavelength Selective Switch (WSS) that has quickly become the ‘gold standard.’
This is a complete update of our earlier reports with an emphasis on WSS, and how the WSS technology approach to R-OADMs will facilitate the interconnection of multiple networks. The interconnection of long haul and metro networks takes on a new importance with the SBC-ATT-BellSouth and Verizon-MCI mergers. This report contains completely new forecast scenarios, expanded technical material, many added vendors, and updates on deployment activities since the previous work. It also includes new material on Wavelength Selective Switches, and many more figures, explaining the various types of approaches available for R-OADMS. This is a completely stand-alone report, containing all of the background material from the earlier reports.
A number of technologies are involved in the R-OADM. The report presents several different architectures, with an emphasis on WSS but also including the switch version and the broadcast version. Technologies involved in each approach are described. The vendors associated with the various approaches are identified, and market forecasts are developed on a component/subsystem level as well as on a system level.
There are many applications for the R-OADM. The applications of various degree nodes (‘two degree nodes’ for example have two fiber routes, three degree have three, etc.), that are common in the network are depicted. As will be noted, some of these applications will have particular use in merging the long-haul networks of the IXCs and the metro networks of the RBOCs.
The main market driver for R-OADMs is the desire to save operating expenses by the carriers. The new video thrusts by the major combined RBOCs are a new driver to R-OADM deployment. These companies are in the process of deploying nationwide networks to deliver video on their fiber access local networks. R-OADMs are the perfect adaptation to control these video distribution services. In addition, the forecasted increase in wavelength services is going to greatly facilitate the deployment of networks based on R-OADMs.
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF FIGURES
THE LIGHTWAVE NETWORK SERIES OF REPORTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
The Lightwave Network
Achieving SONET-like Control in Optical Networks
This Report
R-OADMS
Types of R-OADMs
OXC Based Approach to R-OADMs
PLC Based R-OADMs
Colorless vs. Colored Ports
Other Names
Benefits and Problems with PLC R-OADMs
Vendors of PLC R-OADMs
Blocker Based R-OADMs
Other Names
Alternative Designs for Blockers
Problems with Blocker-Based R-OADMs
Vendors of Blocker R-OADMs
Wavelength Selective Switch (WSS) Based R-OADM
Other Names
Vendors of WSS R-OADMs
Problems and Benefits of WSS ROADMs
Summary of R-OADM Types
Summary of R-OADM Description
R-OADM APPLICATIONS
Typical EDFA Site Replacement – A Degree Two Node
Approaches to the New RBOC-IXC Merged Network Examples
The WSS Solution to Joining Rings
R-OADM MARKET DRIVERS AND FORECASTS
Market Drivers
Opex Savings
The RBOC-IXC Merger Driver
IPTV Networks
Vendors of the IPTV Networks
AT&T
Verizon
Comcast
Wavelength Services
Market Forecast
Forecast Methodology
Model for Forecast
Assumptions of Model
Systems – US Forecast
US Market Forecast
Systems – World Forecast
World Market 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
R-OADM VENDORS
Component/Sub-Assembly Vendors
Component/Subassembly Vendor Listing
AC Photonics, Inc.
Active Optical Networks, Inc.
Aegis Semiconductor, Inc.
Agiltron, Inc.
Alliance Fiber Optic Products
ANdevices
AOC Technologies
Auxora, Inc.
Avanex Corporation
Avo Photonics
Capella Photonics
CoAdna Photonics
Corning
Corrigent
Cube Optics AG
DiCon Fiberoptics
DuPont Photonics Technologies
Emit Technology Co. Ltd.
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)
Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
Lynx Photonic Networks
Mahi Networks (Meritron)
Metconnex
NeoPhotonics
Network Photonics (Not in Operation)
O-Net Communications Ltd
Oplink Communications, Inc.
OpTun Inc. (NEoPhotonics)
Optoplex
Osaki Electric Co., Ltd.
Paxera Corp.
Polychromix
Redfern Optical Components Pty Ltd
SDO Communications Corp.
Shenzhen Hi-Optel Technology Co. Ltd.
Sinclair Manufacturing Company
Silicon Light Machines (Cypress Semiconductor)
SpectraSwitch
Stratos International, Inc.
TeraXion Inc.
TheFibers Inc.
Topfiber Technology
TransOptix
Valdor Fiber Optics
Xerox
Xtellus
System Vendors
System Vendor Listing
Adva Optical Networking
Alcatel
Avvio Networks
Ciena
Cisco
ECI
Ericsson
Fujitsu
Infinera
Lucent
Mahi Networks (formerly Photuris) - Meriton
Marconi Corporation plc (Ericsson)
Meriton Networks
Movaz Networks (ADVA)
NEC America Inc.
Nistica
Nortel
Siemens
Tellabs
Tropic Networks
APPENDIX I – R-OADMS AND OTHER SWITCHES – A TAXONOMY
Switches by Any Other Name
“Switch” Types
Classes of Transparent Optical Switches
FXC
WSXC
WICX (Wavelength Independent Cross-Connect)
Routers
TDM Switches
ATM
IP Switches
DACS
DACS/R-OADM Relationship
Drivers to DACS Deployment
ADMs – The Key SONET Functionality
OADMs
APPENDIX II – TECHNOLOGIES FOR R-OADMS
Switches and Blocker
MEMS
Approaches to MEMS
Digital Approach
Analog Approach
One Dimension MEMS
Grating Light Valve (GLV)
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
Tunable Lasers Vendors List
ADC
Altitun AB
Alcatel
Bookham (New Focus, Inc.)
Corning
Hewlett-Packard
Intel
JDS Uniphase
Marconi
Nortel
Novalux
Paxera
Pirella Broadband Systems
Santur
APPENDIX III – LISTING OF ACRONYMS
Table of Figures
Figure 1, Lightwave Network
Figure 2, R-OADM General Configuration
Figure 3, Fully Switched Approach to OADM
Figure 4, PLC Based R-OADM
Figure 5, Detailed ‘Blocker’ R-OADM Architecture
Figure 6, Alternative M-Z Diode based Broadcast R-OADM
Figure 7, WSS Structure
Figure 8, WSS Based R-OADM
Figure 9, WSS-Based Multi-Degree Node Interconnection
Figure 10, Typical Blocker R-OADM
Figure 11, WSS Added to Blocker
Figure 12, Summary Chart of R-OADMs
Figure 13, Three-Amp DWDM System
Figure 14, 3R Intermediate Access Solution
Figure 15, Use of R-OADM for Intermediate Site Access
Figure 16, Degree Three Node Example
Figure 17, Joining Two Rings
Figure 18, Using Core Routers in Degree Three Nodes
Figure 19, Using an OXC in a Degree 3 Node
Figure 20, Using an R-OADM for the Degree Three Node
Figure 21, Using R-OADMs for Joining Rings
Figure 22, WSS Approach to Interconnecting Rings
Figure 23, IPTV Video Network
Figure 24, Forecast for Wavelength Services
Figure 25, R-OADM System Unit Forecast - US
Figure 26, US Market - Change in Predominant Type of R-OADM over Time
Figure 27, Price Forecast for R-OADMs
Figure 28, R-OADMs Market Forecast – US
Figure 29, OADM vs. R-OADM Market – US
Figure 30, US R-OADM as a Percent of Global Usage
Figure 31, R-OADM Systems – Global
Figure 32, World Market - Change in Predominant Type of R-OADM Over Time
Figure 33, R-OADM Market Forecast – Global
Figure 34, US Systems by Type
Figure 35, PLC Version of the R-OADM
Figure 36, Broadcast/Blocker Version of the R-OADM
Figure 37, WSS Typical for Component Count
Figure 38, Component Count for Each Type of R-OADM
Figure 39, Component Price Table
Figure 40, Components - US Units
Figure 41, Blocker US Market Forecast
Figure 42, Mux/Demux US Market Forecast
Figure 43, Tunable Laser US Market Forecast
Figure 44, Tunable Filters US Market Forecast
Figure 45, Switch Points US Market Forecast
Figure 46, Monitor Points US Market
Figure 47, US Market - WSS Units
Figure 48, Total Components US Market Forecas
Figure 49, Components Units Global Forecast
Figure 50, Blocker Global Market Forecast
Figure 51, Mux/Demux Market Forecast
Figure 52, Tunable Laser Global Forecast
Figure 53, Tunable Filters Global Market Forecast
Figure 54, Switch Points Global Market Forecast
Figure 55, Monitor Points Global Forecast
Figure 56, World WSS Units Market
Figure 57, Components Total Global Fo
recast
Figure 58, Summary Table – Sub-system Vendors
Figure 59, Summary Table – System Vendors
Figure 60, R-OADM Concept
Figure 61, Example of FXC Class Fiber-to-Fiber Application
Figure 62, Example of FXC Application at 1310 nm
Figure 63, Example of WSXC Application
Figure 64, Exampe of WICX Application
Figure 65, SONET ADM
Figure 66, OADM
Figure 67, Improved OADM
Figure 68, OADM with Limited Switching
Figure 69, Detailed PLC R-OADMs
Figure 70, Detailed Blocker R-OADM
Figure 71, MEMS Layout
Figure 72, Sketch of Two Dimensional MEMS
Figure 73, Sketch of Multi-Dimensional MEMS
Figure 74, 1D MEMS
Figure 75, Sketch of Liquid Crystal Technology
Figure 76, Planar Waveguide Demux
Figure 77, Technologies' Summary
Figure 78, Table of Switch Classes – Summary of Features
Figure 79, Example of Use of Tunable Laser in Transparent OXC
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