Add-drop multiplexer: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Manipulates DWDM channel contents}}

A main element of optical fiber networks. An '''add-drop [[multiplexer]]''' (ADM) combines, or multiplexes, several lower-speed streams of data into a single beam of light. ADMs can be used both in long-haul core-networks and in shorter distance metro networks, although in recent years (2002-04) most ADM sales have been in metro networks due to the high cost required to scale the technology to high data rates ([[wavelength division multiplexing]], better known as DWDM, is more popular in the core).

{{Distinguish|optical add-drop multiplexer}}

{{Refimprove|date=July 2007}}

[[Image:Add-drop-multiplexer-SONET-SDH.jpg|thumb|300px|An add-drop multiplexer.]]

The main filtering technology used in add-drop multiplexers is the [[Fabry-Perot Interferometer]], in the form of small, solid [[etalon]]s.

An '''add-drop multiplexer''' ('''ADM''') is an important element of an [[optical fiber]] network. A [[multiplexer]] combines, or [[Multiplexing|multiplexes]], several lower-[[Bandwidth (computing)|bandwidth]] streams of data into a single beam of [[light]]. An ''add-drop'' multiplexer also has the capability to ''add'' one or more lower-bandwidth signals to an existing high-bandwidth data stream, and at the same time can extract or ''drop'' other low-bandwidth signals, removing them from the stream and redirecting them to some other network path. This is used as a local "on-ramp" and "off-ramp" to the high-speed network.<ref>{{cite web

A recent shift in ADM technology has introduced so called '''multi-service [[SONET]]/[[SDH]]''' (also known as a multi-service provisioning platform, or [[MSPP]]) equipment which has all the capabilities of legacy ADMs, but can also include cross-connect functionality to manage multiple fiber rings in a single chassis. These new devices can replace multiple legacy ADMs and also allow connections directly from [[Ethernet]] [[LAN]]s to a service provider's optical backbone.

| title = Electrical Engineering Glossary Definition for ADM

| url = http://www.maxim-ic.com/glossary/index.cfm/Ac/V/ID/8/Tm/ADM

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080304030505/http://www.maxim-ic.com/glossary/index.cfm/Ac/V/ID/8/Tm/ADM

| archive-date = 2008-03-04}}</ref>

ADMs can be used both in long-haul core networks and in shorter-distance [[Metropolitan area network|metro networks]], although the former are much more expensive due to the difficulty of scaling the technology to the high data rates and [[wavelength division multiplexing|dense wavelength division multiplexing]] (DWDM) used for long-haul communications. The main optical filtering technology used in add-drop multiplexers is the [[Fabry–Pérot etalon]].

In the end of 2003, sales of multiservice ADMs exceeded those of legacy ADMs for the first time, as the change to next-generation SONET/SDH networks accelerated.

ANewer recent shift in ADM technology has introduced so called '''"multi-service [[SONET]]/[[SDH]]'''" (also known as a [[multi-service provisioning platform,]] or [[MSPP]]) equipment which has all the capabilities of legacy ADMs, but can also include cross-connect functionality to manage multiple fiber rings in a single chassis. These new devices can replace multiple legacy ADMs and also allow connections directly from [[Ethernet]] [[LAN]]s to a service provider's optical backbone. At the end of 2003, sales of multiservice ADMs exceeded those of legacy ADMs for the first time, as the change to next-generation SONET/SDH networks accelerated.

An emerging variety of ADMs that is becoming popular as the carriers continue to invest in metro optical networks are [[ROADM]]s, or [[Reconfigurable Add Drop Multiplexers]].

An emerging variety of ADMs that is becoming popular as the carriers continue to invest in metro optical networks are [[ROADM]]s,reconfigurable oroptical [[Reconfigurableadd-drop Add Drop Multiplexersmultiplexer]]s (ROADMs).

== See also ==

* [[Optical add-drop multiplexer]]

* [[Drop and insert]]

== References ==

<references/>

[[Category:Telecommunications equipment]]

[[de:Add-Drop-Multiplexer]]

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