Reconfigurable Optical Add‐Drop Multiplexer Using a Polymer Integrated Photonic Lightwave Circuit

• Published in: ETRI journal Vol. 31; no. 6; pp. 770 - 777
• Main Authors: Shin, Jang‐Uk, Han, Young‐Tak, Han, Sang‐Pil, Park, Sang‐Ho, Baek, Yongsoon, Noh, Young‐Ouk, Park, Kang‐Hee
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 한국전자통신연구원 01.12.2009
• Subjects: DOS; iPLC; polymer; ROADM; VOA; 전자/정보통신공학
• ISSN: 1225-6463; 2233-7326
• DOI: 10.4218/etrij.09.1209.0024

We have developed a fully functional reconfigurable optical add‐drop multiplexer (ROADM) switch module using a polymer integrated photonic lightwave circuit technology. The polymer variable optical attenuator (VOA) array and digital optical switch array are integrated into one polymer PLC chip and packaged to form a 10‐channel VOA integrated optical switch module. Four of these optical switch modules are used in the ROADM switch module to execute 40‐channel switching and power equalization. As a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) filter device, two C‐band 40‐channel athermal arrayed waveguide grating WDMs are used in the ROADM module. Optical power monitoring of each channel is carried out using a 5% tap PD. A controller and firmware having the functions of a 40‐channel switch and VOA control, optical power monitoring, as well as TEC temperature control, and data communication interfaces are also developed in this study.