The Seven Vectors of ROADM Evolution

Since its introduction in the early 2000s, reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer (ROADM) technology has undergone a series of evolutions. This white paper explores the component-level and systems-level innovations enabling ROADM evolution along seven vectors related to wavelength capacity-reach, fibre capacity, add/drop and degree flexibility, footprint, openness, operations and manageability, and network availability.