17 November 2011

Oclaro launches 100G coherent transponder module, joining existing 40G model

Optical component, module and subsystem maker Oclaro Inc of San Jose, CA, USA has strengthened its coherent product portfolio by launching the MI 8000XM, a low-power 100Gbps MSA-compliant coherent transponder module which is scheduled to start shipping in April 2012.

The MI 8000XM is the second member of Oclaro’s coherent transponder family, joining the MI 5000XM 40Gbps coherent module, which is currently shipping in volume. Oclaro says that the MI 5000XM and MI 8000XM transponders leverage its history of delivering coherent solutions, its competencies in indium phosphide (InP) and lithium niobate (LiNbO3) material technologies, its vertical integration in optical components, and its production and application expertise.

Both the new 100Gbps and the current 40Gbps modules use a PM-QPSK modulation format combined with coherent detection (which Oclaro says is the leading technology for enabling 100Gbps and higher optical transmission, delivering the scalability and flexibility needed for transmitting more bandwidth cost efficiently over fiber-optic networks).

Complementing this family, Oclaro also claims an established leadership position in the high-bit-rate direct detection transponder market with 40Gbps transponders providing DPSK and DQPSK modulation formats, after starting volume shipments in 2007. The firm also provides a full range of the optical components necessary to implement complete transponder solutions. Oclaro says that, by providing both coherent and direct detection module families and the key associated components, it enables network equipment manufacturers to develop cost-effective transponders for both new next-generation network implementations as well as upgrades on existing networks.

“Following on the success of our 40Gbps transponders, the 100Gbps MI 8000XM leverages Oclaro's expertise in module design combined with a deep understanding of high-bit-rate propagation challenges in optical fiber networks,” says Dr Terry Unter, president & general manager of Oclaro’s Optical Networks Solutions business unit. “The MI 8000XM transponder integrates the latest-generation DSP [digital signal processor] with an advanced control and management implementation to deliver state-of-the-art performance in a module that is easy for our customers to integrate into their network equipment,” he claims.

“Merchant coherent transponders are critical for mass deployment of 100Gbps DWDM systems,” comments Ron Kline, principal analyst at market research firm Ovum. “We continue to see strong growth of coherent technology for both 40G and 100G applications. The availability of standardized modules will help lower system costs and increase market competitiveness of vendors offering high-capacity bandwidth solutions,” he adds.

The MI 8000XM fully complies with the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF)’s 100Gbps MSA Implementation Agreement including specifications on power consumption. The transponder employs a low-power DSP-LSI digital signal processor large-scale integrated circuit supplied by NEL (NTT Electronics Corp). The DSP-LSI was an outcome of the ‘R&D on High Speed Optical Transport System Technologies’ project, which was supported by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. The DSP offers correction of chromatic dispersion as well as polarization mode dispersion, which enables the transponder module to adapt automatically to the dispersion properties of a wide range of new and existing optical networks. The inclusion of soft-decision forward error correction (SD-FEC) further broadens the application space for the MI 8000XM.

The MI 8000XM transponder module is targeted at optical network solutions from metro through ultra-long-haul (including submarine networks) to support the growth of bandwidth-intensive services such as video, cloud computing, and wireless broadband data services. The automatic chromatic dispersion and polarization mode dispersion compensation properties suit the next-generation optical network architecture with extensive optical routing and richer mesh network topologies. High spectral as well as physical density (the latter enabled by reduced power dissipation) are key characteristics for deployment in those networks, which will serve to meet the ever-increasing bandwidth demands over the coming years, says Oclaro.

Tags: Oclaro 100G coherent transponder module

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