Compact OXC architecture, design and prototype development for flexible waveband routing optical networks.

Area of Science:

• Optical networking
• Telecommunications engineering

Background:

• Traditional optical cross-connect (OXC) nodes face challenges in scalability and cost-efficiency.
• Existing architectures often require a high number of complex components like wavelength selective switches (WSSs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel, compact OXC node architecture.
• To reduce the number of WSSs and amplifiers required in optical networks.
• To demonstrate the technical feasibility of the proposed architecture.

Main Methods:

• Proposed a novel OXC architecture combining WSSs for flexible waveband bundling and delivery-coupling type switches (DCSWs) for routing bundled path groups.
• Developed a network design algorithm tailored to the new routing scheme.
• Constructed a prototype OXC using monolithic arrayed DCSWs.

Main Results:

• Numerical experiments showed significant reductions in the required number of WSSs and amplifiers.
• Transmission experiments on the prototype confirmed the technical feasibility of the proposed OXC design.
• The new architecture enables dynamic path bundling and efficient routing of optical traffic.

Conclusions:

• The proposed compact OXC node architecture offers a more efficient and potentially cost-effective solution for optical networks.
• The integration of WSSs and arrayed DCSWs presents a viable path towards next-generation optical switching systems.
• The developed network design algorithm aids in optimizing resource utilization within the proposed OXC framework.