Oclaro, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCLR) has announced an eight-port flexible-grid optical channel monitor (OCM) to pair with flexible-grid wavelength-selective switches (WSSs). In addition to line interface cards and add/drop cards within the latest generation of reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers (ROADMs), Oclaro expects the device also will find use in next-generation amplifiers for gridless networks.
The OCM features port or channel dwelling and prioritization through embedded intelligence and signal processing capabilities. A controller on the line card likely will specify the channels and widths to monitor, according to an Oclaro source. The OCM will monitor only one channel at a time, but can switch quickly among up to eight channels in whichever order or frequency the systems designer desires.
The unit will make channel power and frequency measurements for channel control and system optimization, as well as monitoring of add/drop routing fidelity, validation, and control of alien channels. The OCM also can supply early warning diagnostics via the port and channel dwelling capabilities.
The OCM is currently sampling, with volume production expected during the first half of 2013. Oclaro will display the unit at the upcoming ECOC exhibition in stand #444.