Design and performance assessment of modular multi-band photonic-integrated WSS

Area of Science:

• Photonics
• Optical Networking
• Integrated Systems

Background:

• Photonic integrated systems are crucial for optical transport and data center networks due to high bandwidth and reconfigurability.
• These systems offer advantages like low cost, small footprint, and reduced power consumption.
• Existing solutions require efficient management of a wide spectrum for advanced network functionalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a modular photonic integrated multi-band wavelength selective switch (WSS).
• To demonstrate its capability in managing the S+C+L spectral bands.
• To evaluate its scalability and performance in software-defined optical networks.

Main Methods:

• Detailed physical-level description of the WSS internal structure and design.
• Transmission-level abstraction using a deterministic model for routing controls and spectral tunability.
• Performance evaluation through a 400ZR standards transmission scenario and a network case study.

Main Results:

• The proposed WSS effectively manages a wide spectrum across S+C+L bands.
• A deterministic model was developed to assess routing, thermal spectral tunability, and transmission quality.
• Demonstrated performance in single and multistage cascade setups within a network case study.

Conclusions:

• The modular photonic integrated WSS is a scalable solution for managing wide spectrum optical networks.
• The device shows promise for advanced functionalities in software-defined optical networks.
• The proposed WSS meets the demands of modern high-capacity optical communication systems.