Feasibility Demonstration of Spatial Channel Networking Using SDM/WDM Hierarchical Approach for Peta-b/s Optical Transport

This article reports on a proof of concept demonstration of a recently proposed spatial channel network (SCN) that was conducted over an SCN testbed that comprises low-loss hierarchical optical cross-connect (HOXC) prototypes and four-core multicore fiber links. The HOXC prototypes used in the testbed are based on sub-matrix-switches and core selective switches both implemented with commercially available discrete optical switches. Using these two types of HOXC prototypes, the spatial channel networking including spatial bypassing, spatial add/drop and spectral grooming, spatial-lane change, and spatial-channel (SCh) protection is successfully demonstrated for SChs carrying 100-Gb/s-900-Gb/s optical channels.