US Patent 11063683 Scalable ROADM architecture with multi-plane switching

A node configured to operate in an optical network includes P switching planes interconnected by an S×S cross-plane switch, P>1; and Ni degrees per switching plane Pi where i=1 to P, each degree formed by corresponding degree components having R ports, wherein a first set of ports of the R ports is for intra-plane switching, a second set of ports of the R ports is for inter-plane switching, and a third set of ports of the R ports is for in-plane add/drop. S is greater than or equal to a sum of a number of degrees across all of the P switching planes. R is greater than or equal to a sum of the first set of ports, the second set of ports, and the third set of ports.