The MD-32x-CE patch panels are a pair of passive Athermal Arrayed Waveguide Grating (AAWG) based modules. Each mux/demux panel has 32 channels and works as an add/drop unit for the NCS 1001 and NCS 1014 optical line systems. Each mux/demux panel allows the multiplexing and demultiplexing of 32 channels with 150-GHz spacing. 75-GHz frequency shift exists between the ODD and EVEN panels. When both panels are used on the same optical line systems (NCS 1001 or NCS 1014), the combined capacity becomes 64 channels with 75-GHz spacing. Each mux/demux panel provides a wide optical pass-band support. When used as a standalone, each panel acts as an add/drop unit for 32 channels at 140 GBd.

Characteristics of MD-32x-CE

The MD32x-CE patch panel operates in C-band. It is the enhanced version of the NCS1K-MD-32O/E-C patch panel.

Front panel of the MD-32x-CE

The interfaces of MD-32E-C patch panel is similar to the MD-32-O-CE patch panel.

Communication with the NCS 1001 and NCS 1014 optical line system

The MD32x-CE patch panels communicate to the optical line system using a USB communication channel. The INV port is the dedicted USB 2.0 port in the patch panels that connect to the controllers to communicate.

The USB communication channel helps to:

• retrieve the inventory data and the insertion loss of the optical paths.

• retrieve the optical power levels monitored by the patch panels’ photodiodes.

• activate an LED on request or other type of displays or electrical actuators.

• upgrade the patch panels firmware.

Interoperability with EDFA2 line card

NCS1014 node containing an EDFA2 line card and one or more MD-32x-CE patch panels aggregate signals from 2.4T or 2.4TX transponders.

Channel wavelength allocation

The table shows the frequency and wavelength allocated to each channel for both ODD and EVEN version of the MD-32x-C patch panels.