R-OADMs From the Core to the Edge

Information Gatekeepers Inc
July 1, 2010
SKU: IOAA2755652
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Table of Contents Related Reports
R-OADMs From the Core to the Edge

 
In the eight or so years of previous ROADM history, we have witnessed a continuum of advancing capabilities and technologies in ROADMs. In the last 2-3 years, several companies have introduced products that are edge ROADMs (although the name is only beginning to be standardized) with reduced capabilities and reuse of existing technology on a cost-reduced basis.

Now, the ROADM has become a standard part of long-haul networks — to be included as a matter of course in any new network — and it has become a major update objective for existing networks. They have also become important in metro networks. In addition to the maturity of application, ROADMs have also developed a third generation technology base — the wavelength selective switch (WSS) — that has quickly become the "gold standard." Now the new application that is driving cost savings is the use of low-cost ROADMs at the edge of the network.

Continuing the trend, carriers are now interested in extending that control capability to the ends of the network. The ever-increasing demand for bandwidth at the ends of the network, mostly exemplified by the overwhelming importance of video, makes the extension of network control capabilities inevitable.

This report details where the industry is in beginning the new ROADM revolution from the “Core to the Edge.” This revolution will bring ROADMs to virtually every central office and head-end in the U.S., and in many parts of the world. The forecasts included herein detail that expansion.

Our focus for this report is the edge ROADM. There are forecasts, application sketches, complete vendor coverage, technology discussions, etc. — all aimed at the edge ROADM. While the edge ROADM is our focus, the report also contains a complete update on all aspects of core and metro ROADMs, as well. including forecasts (with component forecast separately provided), application information, full technology discussions, and complete vendor information.

A number of technologies are involved in the ROADM. The report presents several different architectures, with an emphasis on edge ROADMs and WSSs, but also including the switch version and the broadcast version. This report also discusses the latest in developing trends and architectures for ROADMs, including colorless, directionless, contentionless, and gridless. Technologies involved in each approach are described. The vendors associated with the various approaches are identified, and market forecasts are developed on a component/subsystem level as well as on a system level.

There are many applications for the ROADM. The applications of various-degree nodes ("two-degree nodes," for example, have two fiber routes, three-degree have three, etc.) that are common in the network are depicted. As will be noted, some of these applications will have particular use in merging the long-haul networks of the IXCs and the metro networks of the RBOCs. The new application in this report is the network edge.

The main market driver for ROADMs is the desire by the carriers to save operating expenses. The new video thrusts by the major combined RBOCs are a new driver to ROADM deployment. These companies are in the process of deploying nationwide networks to deliver video on their fiber access local networks. ROADMs are the perfect adaptation to control these video distribution services. In addition, the forecasted increase in wavelength services is going to greatly facilitate the deployment of networks based on ROADMs. Finally, the ever-increasing demand for bandwidth by the end user is mandating that ROADMs penetrate the network from core to end.

This report investigates the systems known as reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers (ROADMs). These devices are currently available in equipment from several major equipment vendors, and have been for about eight years. These products are based on a variety of subsystem technologies that have been developed largely by small startup companies. The main focus of this report (in addition to ROADMs in general) will be on the new application of edge ROADMs. We will also continue our focus from our 2008 ROADM effort on WSS-based ROADMs. Included in this report are the most extensive forecasts for ROADM-related data available. They are all based on a 2015 time horizon, and are on a system as well as component level. The forecasts are provided for U.S. and world bases.

Report Features

Comprehensive coverage of ROAM types and development history

Coverage of four generations of ROADMs
Including WSS and Edge ROADM


One of the first reports to ever cover Edge ROADMs — includes application descriptions; quantity, price and market forecasts; vendors; and technologies

Authoritative discussion of ROADM applications

Description of advantages of ROADMs

Identification and discussion of market drivers

Full description of the forecasting methodology used in the report

Description of underlying technologies of ROADMs

Exhaustive listing of vendors — vendors’ lists and discussions, separated into Component Vendors and System Vendors, all highlighting most current products

Extensive forecasts for ROADMs:

By type
By region (USA and world)
By system quantities
By market dollar volume

Extensive forecasts for ROADM components and subassemblies:

Components forecasts in same detail as Systems
Nine different components included.


 

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