Abstract: A multi-city wavelength link architecture is used to distribute spectral bands received on input optical signals among output optical signals. Such an architecture may include an optical wavelength cross connect having multiple input ports, multiple output ports, and a wavelength routing element that selectively routes wavelength components between one optical signal and multiple optical signal. Such an optical wavelength cross connect will generally receive cross-connect-input optical signals at the input ports and transmit cross-connect-output optical signals from the output ports. Methods are used to increase the number of cities that may be accommodated by the architecture without disrupting through traffic between the existing cities.

Abstract: An optical cross connect architecture is provided in which the density of spectral bands on optical signals through the cross connect may vary. The general functionality of such variable-density optical cross connect is to receive input optical signals that each have multiple spectral bands and to transmit output optical signals each having one or more of the spectral bands. A concentrator redistributes the spectral bands from the input optical signals among a smaller number of first intermediate optical signals. A core cross connect redistributes the spectral bands on the first intermediate optical signals among second intermediate optical signals. An expander redistributes the spectral bands on the second intermediate optical signals among a greater number of output optical signals.

Abstract: A multi-city wavelength link architecture is used to distribute spectral bands received on input optical signals among output optical signals. Such an architecture may include an optical wavelength cross connect having multiple input ports, multiple output ports, and a wavelength routing element that selectively routes wavelength components between one optical signal and multiple optical signal. Such an optical wavelength cross connect will generally receive cross-connect-input optical signals at the input ports and transmit cross-connect-output optical signals from the output ports. Methods are used to increase the number of cities that may be accommodated by the architecture without disrupting through traffic between the existing cities.

Abstract: An optical cross connect architecture is provided in which the density of spectral bands on optical signals through the cross connect may vary. The general functionality of such variable-density optical cross connect is to receive input optical signals that each have multiple spectral bands and to transmit output optical signals each having one or more of the spectral bands. A concentrator redistributes the spectral bands from the input optical signals among a smaller number of first intermediate optical signals. A core cross connect redistributes the spectral bands on the first intermediate optical signals among second intermediate optical signals. An expander redistributes the spectral bands on the second intermediate optical signals among a greater number of output optical signals.