Optical node

Abstract

An optical node () is disclosed. The optical node () comprises first and second line ports () for Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) signals and first and second pluralities of local add/drop ports () for optical signals. The optical node further comprises a wavelength selective switch (), coupled between the first and second line ports () and configured to drop optical signals from a WDM signal traversing the optical node between the first and second line ports (), and a node optical combiner () coupled between the first and second line ports () and configured to add optical signals to a WDM signal traversing the optical node between the first and second line ports (). The optical node also comprises first and second switching units (), each switching unit coupled to the wavelength selective switch (), the node optical combiner (), a respective one of the first and second pluralities of local add/drop ports () and the other of the first and second switching units (). Each of the first and second switching units () is configured to distribute dropped optical signals from the wavelength selective switch () to its coupled plurality of local add/drop ports and to provide optical signals from its coupled plurality of local add/drop ports to the node optical combiner (). Each of the first and second switching units () is also configured to distribute optical signals from its coupled plurality of local add/drop ports to the other of the first and second switching units () and to distribute optical signals from the other of the first and second switching units to its coupled plurality of local add/drop ports.