Wavelength Selective Switch (WSS) and Compact Latching Switch (CLS) Optical Switching Technologies - Polatis

Polatis is going to demonstrate its next gen optical switching technologies at NXTcomm 2007. Polatis will unveil its Wavelength Selective Switch (WSS) ultra low-loss switching technology and Compact Latching Switch (CLS) technology, a matrix switch technology capable of maintaining connected paths without electrical power.

The Wavelength Selective Switch reduces network cost and enables new architectures in next generation DWDM networks. The Polatis Wavelength Selective Switch technology differs from many switches designed for ROADMs, as it does not rely on MEMS. It can individually attenuate or block any wavelength and can pass or drop any wavelength with only 3 dB of optical insertion loss. The Wavelength Selective Switch technology is highly scalable and can be used to create 1×9, 1×4 and 1×20 fiber drops, for access, regional and ultra-long haul applications. Polatis will demonstrate its 1×9 WSS at NXTcomm.

Dr. Aaron Bent, VP Sales and Marketing at Polatis, said:

Polatis is responding to needs expressed by our customers, in growth markets such as DWDM, ROADM, and FTTH…

The advanced technologies that we are showing at NXTcomm build on the existing portfolio of Polatis products and our reputation for outstanding performance and reliability…

The WSS is a critical piece of the rapidly evolving and growing ROADM market. We are working with carriers now to demonstrate how significantly a sub-3 dB WSS can change the economics of building a DWDM network…

Polatis will also introduce its Compact Latching Switch (CLS) technology, a matrix switch technology capable of maintaining connected paths without electrical power. The Compact Latching Switch allows an operator to access the fiber network with analyzers, and peer up or downstream, tapping a portion of the power, or fully switching a given link. The Compact Latching Switch can also be used to restore a fiber path in the event of a failure. Polatis will demonstrate its 80×80×4 configuration, a switch ideal for advanced network monitoring, intrusion detection, deep packet inspection, or any application where a large number of fibers must be accessed in a remote and automated fashion. This configuration will permit up to 4 access points into an 80 traffic fiber network.

Demonstrations of these new technologies will take place at NXTComm, Chicago in the Polatis booth (5755), Monday June 18 through Thursday June 21.

More info: Polatis’s Wavelength Selective Switch (WSS) and Compact Latching Switch (CLS) Optical Switching Technologies