Novel ROADM architecture including optical equalization for metro-regional networks

A novel ROADM architecture based on separation of odd and even channels and programmable optical spectral shaping is proposed and compared with existing alternatives. The main design parameters are optimized through numerical analysis. Experimental validation of BER performance improvement with respect to conventional route-and-select architecture is demonstrated in a metro-regional scenario. In particular Nyquist 20GBaud dual-polarization QPSK signals in a WDM 25GHz grid are considered, showing an increase of the number of traversed nodes from 6 to 8.