Dynamic Transport Networks
C-3PO aims to introduce a paradigm shift on the way transport networks are designed and built. The project will exploit the recently proposed IP over DWDM (IPoDWDM) architecture and solve issues related to cost, cooling requirements and reconfigurability.
C-3PO aims to design and develop new generation of functional, high-performance and power-efficient Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) that rely on the combination of reflective components and multi-wavelength laser modules:
- Reflective modules: Coolerless and colourless transceivers with record-low power consumption
- DWDM Channel Generator modules: Coolerless multi-wavelength optical sources (40 channels on-chip) for feeding reflective modulators on router
- Reflective-ROADM: Coolerless and colourless multi-degree reconfigurable add-drop multiplexer allowing for any-to-any port configuration without tuneable lasers
“Reflective-everywhere” rationale: The coolerless and colourless linecards are implemented using transceivers with reflective transmitters and directly mounted onto the IP router. The WDM channels required as inputs to the transceiver linecards are provided by a multi-wavelength laser source that plays the role of a centralized light source powering all transceivers on the router.
When the “reflective” rationale of the technology is combined with a low-loss,optical switch matrix, then unprecedented wavelength dynamicity can be offered to the transport network. Optical switches are interconnected with AWGs for providing any-to-any channel reconfiguration without the need for any tuneable transmitters or manual patching.
