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Architectural changes are required for the underlying networks to support the expected Internet data traffic volume growth caused by the popularization of cloud services, 5G-based services, and social networks, to provide a highly dynamic connectivity. Cost-effective and energy-efficient solutions for flexible network subsystems are required to provide future sustainable networks. In this paper, we present a cost-effective dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer (ROADM) design enabling optical metro–access networks convergence. The cost-effective DWDM ROADM capabilities also have been assessed in an ultradense wavelength multiplexing (u-DWDM) ring network scenario. In particular, achievable network throughput has been considered.

Peer Reviewed