28 November 2012

Infinera and Nissho demo first 8Tb/s super-channel transmission over dispersion-shifted fiber

Along with its Tokyo-based partner Nissho Electronics, Infinera Corp of Sunnyvale, CA, USA, a vertically integrated manufacturer of digital optical network systems incorporating its own indium phosphide-based photonic integrated circuits (PICs), has demonstrated its DTN-X platform delivering 8 Terabits per second (Tb/s) capacity using production-ready super-channels across 800km of ITU-T G.653 dispersion-shifted fiber (DSF).

The demonstration at the NET Frontier Center illustrates the value that high-performance 100Gb/s coherent optical technology can have in leveraging DSF assets for service providers, says Infinera. Deployed throughout Japan, DSF fiber has proven to be a challenge in deploying high-capacity dense wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) transport technology due to low chromatic dispersion in the C-band, making it difficult to achieve high-capacity optical transmission over long distance economically, adds the firm. As a result, capacities have been severely limited and have had to use expensive L-band technology to achieve long-haul-quality performance from the DSF fiber.

Based on 500Gb/s photonic integrated circuits (PIC) and the second-generation FlexCoherent Processor (offering software-configurable coherent modulation), the DTN-X platform offers long-haul 500Gb/s super-channels feature polarization mode dispersion (PMD) compensation.

The next-generation platform has now demonstrated that it can transmit 8Tb/s of super-channel capacity on the C-band over 800km of challenging DSF fiber, says Infinera. This enables network operators to leverage existing fiber plant investments while also being able to operate the latest multi-Terabit, long-haul next-generation WDM transmission technologies, adds the firm. This same capacity extends to well over 2500km when using quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) modulation on the DTN-X with non-DSF fiber (in use in much of the world), highlighting the unique challenges of the DSF fiber in Japan.

Infinera also demonstrated the system’s FlexCoherent capabilities, showcasing the ability to software-select different modulation formats including QPSK and BPSK (binary phase shift keying) to optimize both reach and capacity. Infinera says that the trial validates that service providers globally can deploy the latest high-capacity optical transport solutions on existing DSF fiber economically, continuing to leverage their current infrastructure. The demonstration also shows 100GbE service provisioned in less than 100 seconds, showcasing the simplicity of DTN-X and its ability to activate services much faster than conventional solutions, the firm claims.

“This test truly demonstrates the value of the DTN-X platform to service providers with DSF assets,” says comments Nissho’s executive officer Kimitaka Sato. “In the past, service providers may not have been able to run even multiple 10Gb/s transmission over this kind of fiber. Infinera’s solution proves that we can run the very latest super-channel technology at 8Tb/s on DSF,” he adds. 

“This trial is unique because it not only achieves world-class reach and capacity over a very difficult type of optical fiber, it shows how quickly capacity can be turned up for service providers today,” claims Infinera’s co-founder, executive VP & chief strategy officer Dave Welch. “This capability can be combined with our recently introduced Instant Bandwidth solution on the DTN-X to allow service providers to compete more effectively and achieve a success-based business model.”

Infinera claims to be first to deliver 500Gb/s long-haul super-channels based on PICs and the FlexCoherent Processor, scaling transport capacity without scaling operational complexity. Shipping since second-quarter 2012, the DTN-X has received purchase commitments from 16 operators globally, including Cable&Wireless Worldwide, DANTE, PIPE Networks, Telefonica International Wholesale Carrier, Cyprus Telecommunications Authority and TeliaSonera International Carrier.

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