+86-20-82037001
ROADM (Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer) is a core component of optical communication network, which is used to dynamically manage wavelength (λ) resources in optical fibre. Compared with the traditional fixed OADM, ROADM can adjust the wavelength up/down and routing in real time through remote control by software to achieve elastic allocation of network resources.
Core features:
- Wavelength flexible scheduling: no need for manual fibre hopping, remote increase or decrease of service wavelength.
- Network self-healing: automatically switch routing when fibre is interrupted to ensure service continuity.
- Spectrum Optimization: Supports Flexi-Grid to improve fibre utilization by more than 30%.
1. Classification by hardware architecture
| Type | Principle | Features |
| Based on WSS | Dynamic wavelength routing using 1 x N or N x N wavelength selector switches | High flexibility to support multi-directional interconnections |
| Based on PLC | Wavelength interpolation using optical waveguide technology | Low cost, suitable for metro access layer |
| Hybrid Architecture | Combine WSS and PLC to balance performance and cost | Suitable for small and medium-sized network expansion |
WSS: Wavelength Selector Switch
PLC: Planar Light Waveguide
2. Classification by Functional Class
- Directionless: Wavelengths can be routed up and down in any direction, eliminating physical port limitations.
- Colorless: The same port supports any wavelength, reducing hardware redundancy.
- Contentionless: The same wavelength can be reused in different directions to avoid resource conflicts.
- Flex Grid: Break the fixed 50GHz interval and allocate 12.5GHz~200GHz spectrum on demand.
Advanced form: CDC-F ROADM (Direction/Wavelength/Competition-independent + Flex Grid), representing the highest flexibility of optical networks.
Currently Sintai Communication offers 9-degree WSS-based ROADM boards (Directionless) on the DCI platform; if interested, please feel free to contact us!
English 
