SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 6 -- Global Opticom has unveiled a programmable optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM). The programmable OADM combines thin-film dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) and opto-mechanical switch technologies with an electronically controlled interface. It can dynamically add, or drop, any and all operating channels remotely, or on the board, using built-in software. A series of programmable OADMs (4 x 4, 8 x 8, 16 x 16, and 20 x 20) with 50, 100 and 200 GHz ITU grid spacing-for both C- and L-bands can be provided.
    Since the programmable OADM has an all-optical path configuration, SONET/SDH, Gigabit Ethernet, video signal, etc., can pass through, or drop, without optical/electrical, or electrical/optical, conversion. A system operator can build an all-optical switching network, making a system more efficient, flexible and cost-effective.