Oclaro (United States)

InP based PICs have enabled a first generation of CFP2-ACO modules for line-side 100Gb/s deployment. A number of options are available to scale to higher volumes and enable high density transport up to 400Gb/s.

We report a two-span, 67-km space-division-multiplexed (SDM) wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) system incorporating the first reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) supporting spatial superchannels and the first cladding-pumped multicore erbium-doped fiber amplifier directly spliced to multicore transmission fiber. The ROADM subsystem utilizes two conventional 1 × 20 wavelength selective switches (WSS) each configured to implement a 7 × (1 × 2) WSS. ROADM performance tests indicate that the subchannel insertion losses, attenuation accuracies, and passband widths are well matched to each other and show no significant penalty, compared to the conventional operating mode for the WSS. For 6 × 40 × 128-Gb/s SDM-WDM polarization-multiplexed quadrature phase-shift-keyed (PM-QPSK) transmission on 50 GHz spacing, optical signal-to-noise ratio penalties are less than 1.6 dB in Add, Drop, and Express paths. In addition, we demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing joint signal processing of subchannels in this two-span, ROADM system.

We present the technological merits of combining a high fill factor, one-dimensional, MEMS micro-mirror array for switching and liquid crystal shutters for amplitude control within a wavelength-selective switch (WSS). The combination allows for simplified MEMS actuator design, support for high port counts, high attenuation accuracy, high natural frequency, mechanical robustness against shock & vibrations, and fast switching times. The complexity associated with dual modulating elements at the focal plane is addressed by design choices and optimization of the depth of focus. The WSS is fully Telcordia qualified and carrying live traffic in deployed networks.