News

15 September 2010

 

Oclaro launches dynamic spectrum WSS enabling telecom network speed upgrade

Optical component, module and subsystem maker Oclaro Inc of San Jose, CA has launched a new dynamic spectrum wavelength selective switch (WSS) that provides telecoms operators an upgrade path to deliver increased bandwidth in the future without having to replace costly networking equipment.

In the past, operators were limited to WSS with fixed bandwidth plans, but the new dynamic spectrum 2x1 WSS is designed to support multiple and future modulation schemes for different filter widths, enabling operators to quickly, easily and inexpensively meet the increasing demand for higher transmission speeds, claims Oclaro. The new dynamic spectrum product is fully compatible with Oclaro’s 2x1 WSS modules currently shipping to customers.

"Consumer demand for higher bandwidth continues to grow at a steady rate and operators worldwide are scrambling to provide the highest speeds at the most affordable price points," says Dr Krishna Bala, executive VP WSS Division. "We designed our dynamic spectrum 2x1 WSS to meet these needs by enabling an easy and inexpensive way to increase bandwidth in the network without having to change out the WSS,” he adds. “We are also developing dynamic spectrum for Oclaro's high-port-count WSS to extend this capability to all ROADM [reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer] applications."

In a panel session on ‘Packet Optical Transport: Implications for Optical Component’ on 22 September at the 36th European Conference and Exhibition on Optical Communications (ECOC 2010) in Torino, Italy next week, Bala will describe how demand for applications such as video and data storage is driving a fundamental shift in optical core networks from fixed-rings to integrated packet-optical meshes. He will also discuss how this is driving two fundamental requirements for optical components:

• the development of devices that support 100Gb/s and beyond transport; and
• the development of next-generation WSS/ROADMs that include the ability to support colorless, directionless and contentionless functionality.

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For more on Oclaro: Latest issue of Semiconductor Today