Transport blades are designed to address the market drive towards higher levels of integration and increasing intelligence in the optical layer. Through a holistic approach called “functional integration,” JDSU is able to develop new generations of products where the optical, electrical and mechanical elements have been repartitioned to construct a higher density solution. Transport blades integrate all major transport functions that used to require multiple blades onto a single-slot blade solution, with embedded operating systems (OS) that allow the blades to seamlessly integrate into equipment manufacturers’ systems, easily and transparently enabling the addition of new functionality or platforms.