Difference between ROADM-WB,PLC,WSS,WXC RODAM types

This page compares various ROADM types WB,PLC,WSS and WXC. It mentions difference between WB(Wavelength Blocker), PLC(Planar Lightwave Circuit), WSS(Wavelength Selective Switch) and WXC(Wavelength Crossconnect) ROADM types.

ROADM is the short form of Reconfigurable Optical Add Drop MUX. All the ROADM types mentioned here is used as reconfigurable add/drop multiplexer in fiber optic domain.

WB-Wavelength Blocker ROADM

WB ROADM configuration

Figure-1 depicts configuration of WB ROADM type.
Refer Wavelength Blocker➤

PLC-Planar Lightwave Circuit ROADM

PLC ROADM configuration

Figure-2 depicts configuration of PLC ROADM type.
Refer PLC➤

WSS-Wavelength Selective Switch ROADM

WSS ROADM configuration

Figure-3 depicts configuration of WSS ROADM type.
Refer WSS➤

WXC-Wavelength Crossconnect ROADM

WXC ROADM configuration

Figure-4 depicts configuration of WXC ROADM type.
Refer Wavelength Crossconnect➤

Following table summarizes difference between ROADM types.


comparison
factor
WB ROADM PLC ROADM WSS ROADM WXC ROADM
Full Form Wavelength Blocker Planar Lightwave Circuit Wavelength Selective Switch Wavelength Crossconnect
Configuration 2 DWDM ports e.g. 1 IN and 1 OUT 2 DWDM ports e.g. 1 IN, 1 OUT and 2*N single λ ports N+1 DWDM ports e.g. 1 IN, 1 OUT and N-1 service 2*N DWDM ports e.g. N-1 IN, N-1 OUT, 1 ADD and 1 DROP
Sub-system LCD WB PLC small switch array and
AWGs (Arrayed Waveguide Grating)
1 x N MEMS WSS,
1 x N LCD WSS,
1 x N LCoS WSS
PLC Matrix Switches and AWGs
Advantages
(Pros)
It is first ROADM developed,
Number of A/D ports = N (All λ's)
• low power consumption
• Lowest cost
•  No moving parts
• No vibration sensitivity
•  Can be mesh upgradable
•  Can be colorless
• Lowest cost for degree 5 to 8
• Upgradable to any degree as per internal architecture
• Any multiple λ's between any two ports
Disadvantages
(Cons)
•  Not mesh upgradable
•  Supports DCE function only
•  extra optical devices such as splitters, combiners, taps are needed for A/D
• Not easily upgradable to Degree-2, • Not easily colorless • Vibration sensitive
•  Not cost effective for degree-2 version
•  Number of A/D ports are less than N and not λ upgradable
Costly if non PLC switches, MUX, De-mux are used.

Fiber Optic Network and Optical Components Related Links

DWDM system basics   Fibre optic communication   What is PDMA?   What is WDM?  SONET SDH tutorial   SDH Networks   SDH Frame structure   SDH Modulation   PDH Frame structure   Optical Components  Optical Isolator   Optical Circulator   Optical Amplifier   Optical Filter   Optical Coupler   Optical MUX DEMUX   Optical Equalizer   Optical Switch   Wavelength converter  

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