16 1 Packaged MUX/DEMUX for Flexible-Grid Optical Networks

A comprehensive experimental study on the performance of a packaged flexible-grid compliant 16 1 packaged MUX/DEMUX device is presented. The device relies on a bandwidth and wavelength selective filtering element array integrated on an SOI platform, equipped with on-chip polarization multiplexing functionality. Multilateral operating credentials are demonstrated through the evaluation of the device in 2 1 MUX, 1 2 DEMUX and PolMUX configurations scenarios under realistic data traffic conditions, thus confirming its suitability for next-generation flexible-grid optical networks.