QSFP-DD MSA Group updates two specs

The Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable Double Density (QSFP-DD) Multi Source Agreement (MSA) released two updated specifications: Common Management Interface 4.0 and Hardware Specification 5.0.

QSFP-DD is an 8-lane data center module form factor. Systems designed for QSFP-DD modules can be backward compatible with existing QSFP form factors and provide maximum flexibility for end users, network platform designers, and integrators.

The updated Common Management Interface Specification (CMIS) revision 4.0 can be used as a common interface by other 2, 4, 8 and 16 lane form factors, in addition to QSFP-DD. Other notable features include firmware upgrade, diagnostic capabilities, improved State Machine support as well as support for WDM / Coherent modules.

The updated hardware specification revision 5.0 for QSFP-DD. This update supports up to 20 watts with improved thermal management. It includes new optical connectors; SN and MDC, a label area specification, improved latching definition and enhanced Pulse Per Second (ePPS) pin.

“Through strategic collaborations with our MSA companies, we continue to test the interoperability of multiple vendors’ modules, connectors, cages and DAC cables to assure a robust ecosystem,” said Scott Sommers, founding member and MSA co-chair. “We remain committed to developing and providing next-generation designs that evolve with the changing technology landscape.’’


“As the industry continues to converge on QSFP-DD, we believe the economies of scale will manifest and allow 400GbE to reach its full potential,” said Mark Nowell, founding member and MSA co-chair. “We are excited to share new updates and grow the previous thermal and high-speed signal integrity validation previously shared by the MSA.”

Contributors include Acacia, ACON, Alibaba, Amphenol, Applied Optoelectronics, APRESIA Systems, Celestica, Ciena, ColorChip, Credo, Dell EMC, Delta Products, Dust Photonics, Eoptolink, Fourte, Fujitsu Optical Components, Genesis, H3C, Hisense Broadband, Hitachi Metals, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, InnoLight, Innovium, Inphi, JPC, Kaiam, Keysight Technologies , LEONI, Lorom, Luxshare-ICT, MACOM, Marvell, MaxLinear, MultiLane, NeoPhotonics, Nokia, Panduit, PHY-SI, Ranovus, Samtec, SENKO, Semtech, Sicoya, Siemon, Skorpios Technologies, Source Photonics, Spectra7 Microsystems, Spirent, Sumitomo Electric, US Conec, Xilinx and Yamaichi Electronics.

The QSFP-DD MSA specifications are available for free download at the QSFP-DD MSA website

http://www.qsfp-dd.com

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T-Mobile US readies 5G over 600 MHz with Qualcomm and Ericsson

T-Mobile US completed the first 5G data session over its 600 MHz spectrum and using a commercial 5G modem. The data session was conducted in T-Mobile’s lab in Bellevue, Washington.

The data session was completed on a mobile test device powered by the second-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 5G modem, RF transceiver and RF Front-End (RFFE) solution, as well as commercial 5G radios from the Ericsson Radio System portfolio. The demonstration is an important step toward the launch of the first commercial 5G network using low-band spectrum.

“This is a key step toward achieving our vision of 5G for All,” said Neville Ray, Chief Technology Officer at T-Mobile. “This modem will power devices that tap into the 600 MHz low-band spectrum we’ll use to blanket the country with 5G. And we’re not stopping there. If regulators approve our merger with Sprint, we’ll have the crucial mid-band spectrum and resources needed to supercharge our network and deliver broad AND deep, transformational 5G across the U.S.”

T-Mobile’s 600 MHz low-band spectrum will offer wider coverage area and deeper signal penetration in buildings than millimeter wave spectrum.

Qualcomm notes that its Snapdragon X55 5G modem offers advanced multi-mode support for virtually any combination of spectrum bands and modes, including mmWave, sub-6 GHz, standalone and non-standalone, and more – ensuring mobile devices powered by the Snapdragon X55 5G modem and RFFE solutions are compatible with current and future multi-mode 5G networks rolling out around the globe.

“Today’s data call marks a significant milestone in 5G’s ongoing rollout across the United States, paving the way for the launch of commercial networks and devices on low-band FDD spectrum,” said Cristiano Amon, president, Qualcomm Incorporated. “This call demonstrates the ability to dramatically increase 5G’s global footprint and we look forward to continuing our work with industry leaders like Ericsson and T-Mobile to unlock the full potential of 5G for consumers and new industries around the world.”

T-Mobile awards $3.5 billion 5G contract to Ericsson

Tuesday, September 11, 2018  Ericsson, TMobile  

T-Mobile awarded a multi-year, $3.5 billion contract to Ericsson to support its nationwide 5G network deployment. Ericsson will supply T-Mobile with its latest 5G New Radio (NR) hardware and software compliant with 3GPP standards. Ericsson will also supply digital services solutions, including dynamic orchestration, business support systems (BSS) and its Ericsson Cloud Core. "While the other guys just make promises, we're putting our money where...

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Nokia lands $3.5 billion, multi-year 5G deal with T-Mobile

Monday, July 30, 2018  5G, Nokia, T-Mobile  

T-Mobile US awarded a $3.5 billion contract to Nokia for the deployment of its nationwide 5G network. Specifically, Nokia will help build T-Mobile's nationwide 5G network with 600 MHz and 28 GHz millimeter wave 5G capabilities compliant with 3GPP 5G New Radio (NR) standards. The agreement covers Nokia's end-to-end 5G technology, software and services portfolio. This includes Nokia's AirScale radio platforms and cloud-native core, AirFrame hardware,...

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NVIDIA expands DGX-Ready Data Center program

NVIDIA announced the international expansion of its DGX-Ready Data Center program with three new partners in Europe, five in Asia and two in North America. NVIDIA's program now includes 19 validated partners around the world.

DGX-Ready Data Center partners offer world-class facilities to host DGX AI compute infrastructure, giving more customers access to AI-ready data center facilities while saving on capital expenditures and keeping operational costs low.

The program is now offered in 24 markets, including Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Peru, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States — with more coming soon.

Among the new locations is the Fujitsu Yokohama Data Center in Japan, which hosts dozens of NVIDIA AI systems.

“The Fujitsu Yokohama Data Center hosts more than 60 NVIDIA DGX-1 and DGX-2 systems,” said Hisaya Nakagawa, director at Fujitsu. “As a DGX-Ready Data Center program partner, we’re able to offer customers our world-class, state-of-the-art facility to run their most important AI workloads. With this program, customers can operationalize AI infrastructure swiftly and enjoy a jumpstart on their business transformation.”

NVIDIA brings 10x performance for Deep Learning System

Tuesday, March 27, 2018  #GTC2018, GPU, Nvidia  

At its annual GTC conference in San Jose, NVIDIA introduced its 2 petaflop, DGX-2 Deep Learning System, promising a 10x performance boost on deep learning workloads compared with the previous generation from six months ago.

Key advancements in NVIDIA platform include a 2x memory boost to NVIDIA Tesla V100 datacenter GPU, and a revolutionary new GPU interconnect fabric called NVIDIA NVSwitch, which enables up to 16 Tesla V100 GPUs to simultaneously communicate at a record speed of 2.4 terabytes per second. NVIDIA also introduced an updated, fully optimized software stack.

These advancements enable the NVIDIA DGX-2 server to deliver two petaflops of computational power -- the equivalent of 300 servers occupying 15 racks of datacenter space, while being 60x smaller and 18x more power efficient.

“The extraordinary advances of deep learning only hint at what is still to come,” said Jensen Huang, NVIDIA founder and CEO, as he unveiled the news at GTC 2018. “Many of these advances stand on NVIDIA’s deep learning platform, which has quickly become the world’s standard. We are dramatically enhancing our platform’s performance at a pace far exceeding Moore’s law, enabling breakthroughs that will help revolutionize healthcare, transportation, science exploration and countless other areas.”

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Kuwait's BOnline deploys ADVA FSP 3000

BOnline, a leading internet service provider in the Middle East, has deployed the ADVA FSP 3000 in a 27-node metro network stretching across Kuwait. The robust ring backbone is capable of 100G and will be used to deliver Gigabit Ethernet and MPLS services for national and international customers including businesses, banks and government security institutions.

ADVA said its FSP 3000 provides easy interoperability with BOnline’s deployed equipment, protecting its investments and bridging the gap to next-generation technology. ,

“Like network operators across the world, BOnline is facing unprecedented challenges as it looks to tackle booming demand. By leveraging our scalable technology, it’s investing in a solution that delivers the high-capacity always-on connectivity that its customers require today as well as in the future,” commented Munther Jadallah, account manager, sales, Middle East, ADVA.

https://www.advaoptical.com

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Deutsche Telekom and Software AG to create global Cloud of Things

Deutsche Telekom and Software AG formed a strategic partnership to deliver IoT services on a global scale.

Specifically, Deutsche Telekom and its enterprise customer unit T-Systems will expand their Cloud of Things offering, using Software AG’s Cumulocity IoT platform.

The companies are targeting an “IoT made in Germany” with plans to provide coverage in Germany, other European markets, and the United States.

Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of T-Systems and Board Member of Deutsche Telekom, said: “We’re delighted to be extending the reach and capabilities of our Cloud of Things IoT platform alongside our partner. Software AG’s technology is critical in enabling us to scale an already successful service and introduce new functionality, giving us the confidence to move into new sectors. Our strategic partnership will help us continue to drive innovation and provide the best possible platform and services for clients, both from the enterprise sector and Germany’s world-leading Mittelstand.”

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Sprint activates 5G in Chicago

Sprint activated its 5G network in central Chicago, providing coverage for approximately 700,000 people. The 5G service is available from the historic IL-64 in the north to Stevenson Expressway in the south, and as far as California Avenue in the west to the periphery of Lake Michigan in the east.

In Chicago, Sprint is using 64T64R (64 transmitters 64 receivers) 5G Massive MIMO radios from Samsung Networks. These radios support a feature called split-mode that enables Sprint to simultaneously deliver LTE Advanced and 5G New Radio (NR) service. Sprint's 5G Massive MIMO radios run on its 2.5 GHz mid-band spectrum, and they are deployed on Sprint's existing 4G cell sites, providing a nearly identical footprint for both 2.5 GHz LTE and 5G NR coverage.

Chicago is one of nine markets where Sprint is launching its "True Mobile 5G.: In addition to the Windy City, Sprint 5G is currently available in areas of Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and Kansas City and the company is expected to launch service in areas of Los Angeles, New York City, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. in the coming weeks.

"We're proud to give customers across the heart of Chicago their first truly mobile 5G experience," said Sprint CEO Michel Combes. "We're also excited about the tremendous opportunity for growth and innovation that Sprint 5G will bring across a wide range of industries including energy, healthcare, manufacturing, finance, insurance, transportation, hospitality and more."

Sprint's 5G unlimited plan is priced at $80/month

Thursday, May 30, 2019  5G, Sprint  

Sprint activated its first 5G commercial service in areas of Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and Kansas City.

Sprint is using 64T64R (64 transmitters 64 receivers) 5G Massive MIMO radios from Ericsson in Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and Kansas City. These radios support split-mode, enabling Sprint to simultaneously deliver LTE Advanced and 5G NR service. Sprint's 5G Massive MIMO radios run on its 2.5 GHz mid-band spectrum, and they are deployed on Sprint's existing 4G cell sites, providing a nearly identical footprint for both 2.5 GHz LTE and 5G NR coverage.

Service is available using the LG V50 ThinQ 5G smartphone and the HTC 5G Hub.

A 5G Unlimited Premium plan -- with unlimited data, talk and text nationwide, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Twitch Prime, Tidal HiFi and 100 GB LTE mobile hotspot -- is priced at $80 per month with AutoPay for one line.

Sprint expects to launch 5G service in areas of Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Phoenix and Washington, D.C.

Earlier this month, Sprint provided the following network update

• Sprint now has 2.5 GHz spectrum deployed on approximately 80 percent of its macro sites.
• Sprint currently has approximately 30,000 outdoor small cells deployed including both mini macros and strand mounts.
• Sprint has deployed approximately 1,500 Massive MIMO radios, which increase the speed and capacity of the LTE network and, with a software upgrade, will provide mobile 5G service in select cities in the coming weeks.

Sprint activates Samsung's massive MIMO

Thursday, September 13, 2018  5G, MIMO, Sprint  

Sprint has activated Samsung's 5G-ready massive MIMO solutions on its production 2.5 GHz TDD-LTE network.

Samsung said its massive MIMO can provide a way for operators to inject new capacity into their network without having to purchase more spectrum or add new base stations. It is being used by Sprint to significantly boost LTE network speeds and capacity for millions of U.S. customers, while improving network efficiencies through advanced beam-forming. Additionally, this helps provide Sprint with a seamless upgrade path to 5G New Radio (NR), utilizing the carrier’s deep 2.5 GHz spectrum.

“We are excited to see Samsung MIMO solutions in use on Sprint’s current LTE commercial network, which will help their customers experience the full benefits of network innovation,” said Lyle Nyffeler, Vice President, Networks Division, Samsung Electronics America. “Our MIMO solutions are engineered to maximize 4G networks today, while offering a graceful, seamless path to a 5G future.”

In February 2018, Sprint announced its selection of Samsung as a massive MIMO provider for their future 5G mobile network launch in the U.S..

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Motorola Solutions acquires WatchGuard

Motorola Solutions has acquired WatchGuard, a provider of mobile video solutions based in Seattle. Financial terms were not disclosed.

WatchGuard designs and manufactures in-car video systems, body-worn cameras, evidence management systems and software. Its solutions enable law enforcement users to capture, manage, store and share high-quality video evidence. The company manufactures its products at its Texas headquarters.

“An integrated, secure mobile video solution can enhance safety and efficiency for public safety users,” said John Kedzierski, senior vice president, Video Security Solutions, Motorola Solutions. “WatchGuard provides industry-leading capabilities, from capturing an incident from more than a dozen vantage points to technology that enables users to recover and upload video from events hours or days after they happened.”

http://www.motorolasolutions.com

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