Infinera details Terabit PICs, 5x100G devices set for 2012

What has been announced?

Infinera has detailed Terabit coherent detection photonic integrated circuits (PICs). The pair - a transmitter and a receiver PIC – implement a ten-channel 100 Gigabit-per-second (Gbps) link using polarisation multiplexing quadrature phase-shift keying (PM-QPSK). The Infinera development work was describe in papers given at the OFC/NFOEC event held in Los Angeles.

Infinera recently demonstrated its 5x100Gbps PIC carrying traffic within Interoute Communications’ network. The 5x100Gbps PIC-based system will be available commercially in 2012.

 

“We think we can drive the system from where it is today – 8 Terabits-per-fibre - to around 25 Terabits-per-fibre”

Dave Welch, Infinera 

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Fujitsu Labs adds processing to boost optical reach

Fujitsu Labs has developed a compensation technique that tackles non-linear effects in a coherent receiver-based optical transmission system. The technique promises to boost the reach of 100 Gigabit-per-second (Gbps) and future higher speed systems.

“That is one of the virtues of the technology; it is not dependent on the modulation format or the bit rate”

Takeshi Hoshida, Fujitsu Labs

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Packet optical transport: Hollowing the network core

Intune Networks has developed an optical packet switching and transport (OPST) system that effectively turns fibre into a distributed switch.

The platform enables a fully-meshed metropolitan networkIntune Networks' CEO, Tim Fritzley (right) and John Dunne, co-founder and CTO with software support for web-based services, claims the Irish start-up. 

“What we have designed allows for the sharing of the same fibre switching assets across multiple services in the metro,” says Tim Fritzley, Intune’s CEO.

The company is in talks with several operators about its OPST system, which is being used for a nationwide network in Ireland. The system is also part of an EC seventh framework project that includes Spanish operator Telefónica.

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ROADMs: reconfigurable but still not agile

Briefing: Dynamic optical networks

Part 2: Wavelength provisioning and network restoration

How are operators using reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (ROADMs) in their networks? And just how often are their networks reconfigured? gazettabyte spoke to AT&T and Verizon Business.

Operators rarely make grand statements about new developments or talk in terms that could be mistaken for hyperbole. 

“You create new paths; the network is never finished”

Glenn Wellbrock, Verizon Business

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Still some way to go

Briefing: Dynamic optical networking 

Part 1: The vision .... back in 2000

I came across this article (below) on the intelligent all-optical network. I wrote it in 2000 while working at the EMAP magazine, Communications Week International, later to become Total Telecom.

What is striking is just how much of the vision of a dynamic photonic layer is still to be realised.  Back then it had also been discussed for over a decade. And bandwidth management, like in 2000, is still largely at the electrical layer.

And yet much progress has been made in networking technology. But the way the network has evolved means that a more flexible photonic layer, while wanted by operators, is only one aspect of the network optimisation they seek to reduce the cost of transporting bits.

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Alcatel-Lucent reveals its 100Gbps-coherent hand

“It would be irresponsible of any system vendor to overlook a solution that can bring a cost advantage to their customer”

Sam Bucci, Alcatel-Lucent

What is being announced?

• Alcatel-Lucent has a commercially available 100Gbps optical transmission system.
• 40Gbps coherent transmission is also supported.

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Ciena post-MEN

Ciena has been busy since completing the acquisition of Nortel’s Metro Ethernet Networks (MEN) business back in March.

“The 40G and 100G technology were key to the deal and we made sure that the core team was still there”

Tom Mock, Ciena

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