Sunday, February 9, 2003

FlexLight Introduces Standards-based Gigabit PON

FlexLight Networks, a start-up based in Atlanta with R&D in Israel, released a gigabit PON product compliant with the ITU's recently approved standards for GPON (Recommendations G.984.1 and G.984.2). FlexLight's Optimate product accepts and carries Fast Ethernet (10/100 Mbps) and T1/E1 circuits from each customer location over the FlexLight PON access network in their native format. It also supports VLAN switching. Carrier trials are underway in Europe and Asia.
http://www.flexlight-networks.com

  • In January, the ITU announced an agreement on two new standards for Gigabit-capable Passive Optical Networks (G-PONs). Both standards cover symmetrical and asymmetrical (upstream/downstream) systems.


  • ITU Recommendation G.984.1 describes the general characteristics of a gigabit-capable PON system such as architecture, bit rates, reach, signal transfer delay, split ratio protection and security.


  • ITU Recommendation G.984.2 describes a flexible optical fiber access network capable of supporting the bandwidth requirements of business and residential services. It covers systems with nominal line rates of 1.25 Gbps and 2.5 Gbps in the downstream (Central Office to customer) direction and 155 Mbps, 622 Mbps, 1.5 Gbps and 2.5 Gbps in the upstream (customer to Central Office) direction. This represents approximately twice the capability of the previous release of the standards (G.983.4 and G.983.5).