Wavelength-Selective Reconfiguration in Transparent Agile Optical Networks

The development of wavelength-selective switching (WSS) technologies is enabling the next generation of transparent optical networks, with remote reconfiguration of the mesh network providing optimal network utilization. Whereas first generations of networks were based on the ITU-defined fixed 50/100-GHz grids, true spectral transparency becomes possible with the introduction of Flexible Grid (FG) wavelength switching within the mesh network. Optical architectures that support the addition and dropping at any node of bandwidth-variable channels will allow optimal spectral utilization in transmission of legacy and next-generation transmission formats.