R-OADMs From the Core to the Edge

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 operational costs, and many operational benefits.

Now in nearly mid-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 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, and others in the Systems Vendors' section.) 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."

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.

This is the author' s fifth major report on ROADMs since 2002 - all part of the Lightwave Series of Reports brought to you by Information Gatekeepers. The author has also written a number of reports on ROADM components (also from IGI) and has consulted extensively on ROADMs.

• Comprehensive coverage of ROAM types and development history
  • Coverage of four generations of ROADMs
  • Including WSS and Edge ROADM
• One of the first reports to ever cover Edge ROADMs - includes application descriptions; quantity, price and market forecasts; vendors; and technologies
• Authoritative discussion of ROADM applications
• Description of advantages of ROADMs
• Identification and discussion of market drivers
• Full description of the forecasting methodology used in the report
• Description of underlying technologies of ROADMs
• Exhaustive listing of vendors - vendors' lists and discussions, separated into Component Vendors and System Vendors, all highlighting most current products
• Extensive forecasts for ROADMs:
  • By type
  • By region (USA and world)
  • By system quantities
  • By market dollar volume
• Extensive forecasts for ROADM components and subassemblies:
  • Components forecasts in same detail as Systems
  • Nine different components included.
• Report has over 200 pages
• Report has over 90 figures - drawings, tables, and graphs, all exclusive to this report
• Extensive Appendixes to provide in-depth understanding of the technology and its antecedents
• 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!