CDCG-ROADMs for Flexible Optical Trunk Line

Networks

 Yasushi Sugaya  Takuji Maeda  Yuichi Suzuki  Takeshi Sakamoto

 Hiroyuki Ito  Hiroki Ooi  Gaku Kimura

The rapid increase in traffic flowing through data centers and mobile networks in recent years
is making it increasingly important that the supporting optical trunk line networks have high-
speed, high-capacity, long-distance, and high-reliability features. Various types of applications
have been discussed for flexibly reconfiguring the optical trunk line networks, and it is agreed
that flexibility and high availability are needed at the optical level. In its development of a re-
configurable optical add/drop multiplexer (ROADM) that serves as an optical-direction switch,
Fujitsu focused on the implementation of “colorless, directionless, contentionless, and gridless
(CDCG)” functions to meet the needs of telecom carriers for greater flexibility, remote opera-
tion, and higher capacity. This paper introduces the key devices and elemental technologies of
CDCG-ROADMs, describes CDCG-ROADM functions, and touches upon the application of CDCG-
ROADM technology to future optical trunk line networks.

1. Introduction increasingly complicated and costly. In addition, there

The wide and rapid spread of LTE and other broad- has been growing public demand that regions not be
band services and the delivery of high-resolution video cut off from communications when instantaneously
have been major factors in the dramatic jump in traffic switching to alternative routes at the time of a network
flowing through data centers. At the same time, tech- failure due to an earthquake or other disaster. To en-
nical innovations such as the Internet of Things (IoT) able remote assignment of wavelengths and setting of
and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications are paths at the time of such route switching, the practical
expected to bring about an explosive increase in traf- use of re-configurable optical add/drop multiplexers
fic flowing through optical trunk line networks. Dense (ROADMs) has been advanced. Since the optical wave-
wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) technology lengths of ROADMs were initially fixed, there were
has been used as a means of increasing transmission problems, such as contention between two paths with
capacity in an optical trunk line network, and further the same wavelength (blocking), at the time of net-
increases in capacity are being achieved by improving work restructuring, which, in turn, meant less flexible
transmission speed per wavelength and increasing the operations.
number of multiplexed wavelengths. The maximum The demand from Fujitsu’s telecom carrier
transmission capacity per optical fiber deployed in com- customers for improved ROADM technology for oper-
mercial terrestrial optical trunk line networks reached ating large-capacity, flexible networks consequently
9.6 Tbps (96 wavelengths × 100 Gbps) in 2015. became increasingly strong. This demand led to
The configuration of optical trunk line networks the implementation of a technology that combines
has become increasingly complex, starting with the “colorless, directionless, contentionless, and gridless”
simple point-to-point type in the 1990s, moving to functions with ROADMs (CDCG-ROADMs). A control
the ring type in the 2000s, and reaching the mesh method is being studied called software-defined net-
type in 2010. This progression has created problems working (SDN) that will enable integrated control of
when restructuring a network because maintenance CDCG-ROADMs over the entire network, and implemen-
and operations such as route switching have become tation of flexible networks is being accelerated from

FUJITSU Sci. Tech. J., Vol. 52, No. 2, pp. 83–89 (April 2016) 83
Y. Sugaya et al.: CDCG-ROADMs for Flexible Optical Trunk Line Networks

both hardware and software perspectives. 4) Gridless function

This paper describes the elemental CDCG-ROADM In contrast to wavelength multiplexing on an
technologies and a Fujitsu product that incorporates equally spaced optical frequency (wavelength) grid
them, presents the effects of applying them to opti- conforming to ITU-T specifications, this function enables
cal networks, and discusses the future outlook for the optical source to be set to any optical wavelength
CDCG-ROADMs. and a path direction to be assigned.
The application of CD (combining the colorless
2. CDCG functions and elemental and directionless functions) and CDC (combining the
optical devices colorless, directionless, and contentionless func-
CDCG-ROADM node consists of a variety of tions) enables the building of flexible networks with
elemental optical devices including wavelength selec- enhanced path switching at the time of faults and
tive switches (WSSs) and multicast switches (MCSs) the attainment of improved network accommodation
(Figure 1). An optical amplifier array is additionally rates.1)–6) In addition, the gridless function can support
used for compensating for component loss as needed. capacity upgrades on the level of 400 Gbps to 1 Tbps
This section introduces CDCG-ROADM functions per wavelength, as shown in Figure 2, without having
and the elemental optical devices used to achieve to replace ROADM.
them.

2.1 CDCG functions

1) Colorless function
To other From other To other From other
This function means that no restrictions are ap- node path node path node path node path

plied to multiplexed wavelengths, that is, to signal

wavelengths (colors) on signal paths within a ROADM WSS WSS
node (DWDM can be performed for any wavelength).
2) Directionless function
This function means that no restrictions are ap-
plied to the direction of an outgoing signal in ROADM
node (a signal can be connected to a path going in any 8x16 8x16
8x16 8x16
direction). 8x16MCS
MCS 8x16MCS
MCS
MCS MCS MCS

3) Contentionless function
This function eliminates wavelength contention
in optical signals assigned to different paths within the
Transceiver
Transceiver
Transceiver
Transceiver

Transceiver
Transceiver
Transceiver
Transceiver

same ROADM node (multiple instances of the same

wavelength may exist within ROADM).
Figure 1
CDCG-ROADM configuration.

12.5 GHz
40 Gbps

100 Gbps

10 Gbps

400 Gbps

100 Gbps

40 Gbps

10 Gbps

1 Tbps

40 Gbps

100 Gbps

400 Gbps

Figure 2
Example of wavelength arrangement for greater capacity using gridless function.

84 FUJITSU Sci. Tech. J., Vol. 52, No. 2 (April 2016)

 Y. Sugaya et al.: CDCG-ROADMs for Flexible Optical Trunk Line Networks

2.2 Elemental optical devices The configuration of an MCS is shown in Figure 4.

1) WSS The left side shows the drop-side MCS, which guides
A WSS incorporates signal power-adjustment and signals from a WSS to the receiver. This MCS distributes
switching functions, enabling optical path switching each WDM signal input from a ROADM path direction
of individual wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) to a 1 × N optical splitter (SPL) and selects an output
signals from multiple rings. In other words, a WSS is a path direction for a desired WDM signal using an M ×
single element achieving CD functions. It also incorpo- 1 optical switch (SW). As a result, optical signals with
rates a variable bandwidth function, thereby achieving different input paths having the same wavelength as
the gridless function as well. optical signals output to the receiver side are blocked
The configuration of a WSS is shown in Figure 3. and guided to the output side by M × 1 optical SWs at
The diffraction grating separates the wavelengths different output ports. There is consequently no wave-
constituting the input WDM signal, and the moveable length contention at ports outputting signals to the
mirror element establishes the direction of each wave- receiver side.
length. This makes it possible to perform automatic The right side of the figure shows the add-side
optical power management in units of wavelengths at MCS, which guides signals from the transmitter to a
the optical coupling position with the collimator and to WSS. This MCS guides optical signals from the trans-
assign any wavelength to any port. In addition, the use mitter to specific output paths using 1 × M optical SWs,
of liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) technology in the mir- multiplexes optical signals of different wavelengths
ror element achieves a gridless function that enables at N × 1 optical couplers (CPLs), and connects the
flexible bandwidth changing in contrast to the fixed multiplexed signals to ROADM path directions. This
ITU-T grid with 50- or 100-GHz intervals.7) configuration makes it possible to output any wave-
2) MCS length from the transmitter to any path direction.8)
An MCS is an optical device for achieving CD func- An MCS features a configuration that combines
tions. Additionally, it can assign any path to optical compact optical devices (optical splitters, optical cou-
signals of the same wavelength, thereby providing a plers, and optical switches) using planar lightwave
contentionless function that eliminates wavelength circuit (PLC) technology and micro-electro-mechanical
contention restrictions. systems (MEMS) technology. In principle, an optical

Diffraction grating Lens Mirror element

Collimator

Input ports: λ1，λ2，λ3

Output port 1: λ2

Output port 2: λ1
Output port 3: λ3

Figure 3
WSS configuration.

FUJITSU Sci. Tech. J., Vol. 52, No. 2 (April 2016) 85

Y. Sugaya et al.: CDCG-ROADMs for Flexible Optical Trunk Line Networks

Drop-side optical input ports (from WSS) Add-side optical output ports (to WSS)

1×N SPL 1×N SPL 1×N SPL N×1 CPL N×1 CPL N×1 CPL

M×1 SW M×1 SW M×1 SW 1×M SW 1×M SW 1×M SW

Drop-side optical output ports (to receiver) Add-side optical input ports (from transmitter)

Figure 4
MCS configuration.

splitter generates considerable branching loss, but this

loss can be compensated for by using an optical ampli-
fier array as described next.
3) Optical amplifier array
As a result of the MCS operations described above,
both add-side optical signals guided from the transmit-
ter to a WSS and drop-side optical signals guided from
a WSS to the receiver become attenuated, resulting in
insufficient optical power. An optical amplifier array
can be used to compensate for this loss in power. We
therefore developed an optical amplifier array that
can be incorporated in both (add/drop) sides within a
single module and achieved a high-density implemen-
tation by applying a compact pump laser for optical
amplification and devising a scheme to reduce overall
power consumption.

3. Functions of FLASHWAVE 9500 CDCG- Figure 5

FLASHWAVE 9500 CDCG-ROADM.
ROADM
Fujitsu has implemented these CDCG-ROADM
functions in its FLASHWAVE 9500 packet optical trans- booting up equipment or adding new wavelengths,
port system (Figure 5). This system features a highly which can reduce connection errors and complex oper-
extendible platform and provides several key functions. ations as well as shorten the time required for booting
1) Flexible switching by CDC functions up equipment.
It provides a switching function that can connect 2) Gridless function
an optical signal from any client port to any path direc- The gridless function and superb optical passband
tion for any wavelength. This enables remote setting characteristics of the WSSs support 100-GHz signals in
and switching of optical signals to the ports desired, the narrower 37.5-GHz bandwidth plus super-channels
thereby eliminating the need to physically change opti- (400 Gbps and 1 Tbps). The number of wavelengths
cal fiber connections. It also enables transmitters and can be extended to 128. These features can improve
receivers to be connected as desired to any port when frequency utilization efficiency and thereby achieve

86 FUJITSU Sci. Tech. J., Vol. 52, No. 2 (April 2016)

 Y. Sugaya et al.: CDCG-ROADMs for Flexible Optical Trunk Line Networks

large-capacity communications at low cost. modulation system with regenerators (equipment

3) Power level control function for regenerating/relaying optical signals by combin-
This control function automatically adjusts 400- ing receivers and transceivers) enables the provision
Gbps and 1-Tbps optical signals and the optical signals of large-capacity alternative routes with no distance
of diverse modulation systems to optimal power levels restrictions. In the example shown in Figure 6, unit 1
for each type of system and signal. of the CDCG-ROADM applies a signal-failure recovery
4) ILA coordination function function to paths in three directions (that is, the paths
This product provides, on the same platform, connecting unit 1 with units 7, 8, and 2). On detecting
in-line amplifiers (ILAs) having only an optical am- a signal failure caused by fiber disconnection between
plification function. Using these ILAs and inter-node units 1 and 8, the function changes the wavelength
communication channels, the ILA coordination function from l1 to l2 and switches the path from unit 8 to unit
enables the ROADMs to automatically determine the 2 to achieve path restoration.
number of connected ILAs and automatically optimize 2) Efficient use of network capacity
optical power levels. This function can therefore sup- The capacity of a ROADM network is limited by
port a wide range of networks on the same platform, the wavelength bandwidth. CDCG-ROADM technology
from metro networks to ultra-long-distance networks makes it possible to optimally arrange the wavelengths
(>2,000 km). of optical signals (defragmentation) by changing
5) Extendibility in response to system requirements wavelengths and bandwidths (modulation method).
Elemental optical devices such as MCSs and opti- That is, wavelengths can be used more efficiently by
cal amplifier arrays can be added in conjunction with changing fragmented wavelengths in the network to
the addition of new add/drop optical signals or the wavelengths in vacant slots (Figure 7).4)
addition of new ROADM path directions and can be
extended without affecting service. We can expect 5. Future outlook
future CDCG-ROADM equipment to have a configura- Finally, we discuss the outlook for future CDCG-
tion extendible to 16 path directions by incorporating ROADM development.
many-port WSSs. 1) Application of many-port devices
The development of new devices such as a WSS
4. CDCG-ROADM network application having many input and output ports will facilitate the
effects
Here we describe the effects of applying CDCG-
ROADMs to a network.
Unit 6
1) Advanced path restoration through many paths
and wavelength flexibility CDCG-ROADM
CDCG-ROADMs have been given a recovery func- Fiber Fiber
Unit 7 disconnection
tion that can handle signal failures among paths in disconnection

more than two directions from the equipment, thereby Unit 8 Unit 5
λ1
superseding the conventional failure recovery function.
This means that the network can effectively recover Switching
Unit 1
from a severe disaster in which multiple optical fibers Fiber disconnection

are simultaneously disconnected and thus provide Switching Unit 4

even higher levels of reliability than past systems.
λ2 Unit 3
Since wavelengths can be flexibly selected at the time Unit 2
Alternative route via
of such a disaster, wavelengths in vacant slots can be standby regenerator

effectively used, thereby reducing the number of trans- Standby

regenerator
ceivers needed for standby paths.
In addition, combining transceivers that can
Figure 6
increase transmission capacity by changing the Failure recovery (path restoration function).

FUJITSU Sci. Tech. J., Vol. 52, No. 2 (April 2016) 87

Y. Sugaya et al.: CDCG-ROADMs for Flexible Optical Trunk Line Networks

Without defragmentation With defragmentation

Vacant slots can be increased

Utilization of optical wavelengths

through defragmentation

Inter-node connections

Figure 7
Effect of defragmentation.

integration of CDCG-ROADMs, which are currently com- network value as it enables expanding coordination
posed of many optical devices, and further reduce the with SDN and the application of peripheral devices.
cost and size of CDCG-ROADM nodes. Fujitsu is committed to developing products that
2) Application of high-function monitor provide more flexibility, greater value, and smaller
The development of an optical performance mon- configurations as the environment surrounding optical
itor (OPM)9) for detecting the quality of optical signals trunk line networks continues to expand and diversify.
such as the optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) will
make it possible to consolidate information on optical- References
signal quality. This will enable creation of a system that 1) I. Kim et al.: Shared Mesh Restoration in ROADM Based
can maximize the transmission performance of newly Service Velocity Network. OFC/NFOEC 2013, NW4I.3.
added wavelengths by coordinating the optical-path 2) Q. She et al.: CAPEX Benefits of Colorless Directionless
ROADM in WDM Transport Networks. OFC/NFOEC 2013,
and optical-wavelength settings in a CDCG-ROADM.
NTh4J.3.
Linking CDCG-ROADMs with such next-generation SDN 3) Q. Zhang et al.: Shared Mesh Restoration for OTN/WDM
technology should improve multi-functionality and per- Networks Using CDC-ROADMs. ECOC 2012, Tu.4.D.4.
formance in the system. 4) X. Wang et al.: A Hitless Defragmentation Method for
Self-optimizing Flexible Grid Optical Networks. ECOC
6. Conclusion 2012, P5.04.
5) X. Wang et al.: Utilization Entropy for Assessing
The expanding scale and capacity of optical
Resource Fragmentation in Optical Networks. OFC/
trunk line networks and their increasing complexity NFOEC 2012, OTh1A.2.
has forced telecom carriers to face a number of issues 6) Fujitsu network communications: White paper (Next-
involving network failures, inefficient operations, etc. Generation ROADM Architectures & Benefits).
Against this background, ROADM technology has come http://www.fujitsu.com/us/Images/
to be seen as a promising technology for resolving Fujitsu-NG-ROADM.pdf
7) H. Matsumoto et al.: Fujitsu’s Third-Generation
these issues.
Optical Transport Solution for Metro Optical Networks:
The FLASHWAVE 9500 packet optical transport sys- FLASHWAVE 7500. FUJITSU Sci. Tech. J., Vol. 42, No. 4,
tem provides both flexibility and extendibility and can pp. 460–468 (2006).
be applied to various types of networks. Application http://www.fujitsu.com/global/documents/about/
of this system should lead to a dramatic jump in total resources/publications/fstj/archives/vol42-4/paper06.pdf

88 FUJITSU Sci. Tech. J., Vol. 52, No. 2 (April 2016)

 Y. Sugaya et al.: CDCG-ROADMs for Flexible Optical Trunk Line Networks

8) T. Watanabe et al.: Multicast Switch Technology that Hiroki Ooi

Fujitsu Ltd.
Enhances ROADM Operability. NTT Technical Review,
Mr. Ooi is currently engaged in the design
Vol. 12, No. 1, (2014). of next-generation optical transmission
https://www.ntt-review.jp/archive/ntttechnical. systems.
php?contents=ntr201401all.pdf&mode=show_pdf
9) Y. Aoki: Flexible Photonic Node Architecture and Key
Technologies. Technical Report of IEICE, Vol. 113, No.
395, pp. 113–117 (2014) (in Japanese).

Gaku Kimura
Fujitsu Ltd.
Yasushi Sugaya Mr. Kimura is currently engaged in product
Fujitsu Ltd. planning for next-generation WDM optical
Mr. Sugaya is currently engaged in the transmission systems.
development of next-generation WDM
optical transmission systems.

Takuji Maeda
Fujitsu Ltd.
Mr. Maeda is currently engaged in the
development of next-generation WDM
optical transmission systems.

Yuichi Suzuki
Fujitsu Ltd.
Mr. Suzuki is currently engaged in the
certification, quality evaluation, and de-
velopment of optical components.

Takeshi Sakamoto
Fujitsu Ltd.
Mr. Sakamoto is currently engaged in the
development of next-generation WDM
optical transmission equipment.

Hiroyuki Ito
Fujitsu Ltd.
Mr. Ito is currently engaged in the devel-
opment of next-generation WDM optical
transmission equipment.

FUJITSU Sci. Tech. J., Vol. 52, No. 2 (April 2016) 89