Monday, January 6, 2020

NeoPhotonics ships 400G-capable CFP2-DCO module

NeoPhotonics has begun shipments of its 400G capable ClearLight CFP2-DCO transceiver for end customer trials. 

The company says its transceiver module enables as much as 32 Terabits of capacity per fiber – significantly higher than today’s 200G CFP2-DCO capacity or the emerging 400G CFP2-DCO capacity. This is achieved by using internal optics that can support 80 channels of 64 Gbaud data at 75 GHz wavelength channel spacing combined with the latest generation of 7 nm node DSP (digital signal processing) technology for superior OSNR and power consumption. This new product effectively increases the capacity of an optical fiber by as much as 50 percent over standard systems at comparable distances.   

NeoPhotonics ClearLight CFP2-DCO module incorporates its new extended tuning range Ultra-Narrow Linewidth Tunable C++ LASERTM. Micro-ITLA.  It also features the company’s leading high bandwidth 64 Gbaud C++ ICRTM Receiver and C++ CDMTM Modulator.  This module supports tuning across the full “Super C-band” and provides up to 50 percent more spectrum and resulting capacity than standard modules.

The ClearLight CFP2-DCO module tunes to 75 GHz spaced wavelength channels when operating at 64 Gbaud and 16 QAM to support 400G transmission in 400ZR and 400ZR+ modes for Cloud DCI and metro telecom applications.  NeoPhotonics also provides arrayed waveguide gratings for multiplexing and de-multiplexing with 75GHz channel spacings and filter responses optimized for 64 Gbaud coherent signals, including for “Super C-band” use.

For Long Haul and Regional applications, this CFP2-DCO module utilizes 64 Gbaud and QPSK modulation to deliver 200G per wavelength transmission.  This is made possible by an industry-leading OSNR of less than 14 dB and enhanced performance to enable substantially longer reaches than standard 32 Gbaud, 16 QAM systems. If the application requires that a 50 GHz channel wavelength spacing be used, this CFP2-DCO module can tune over 120 channels and operate at 200G with an OSNR of less than 16 dB, again substantially better than today’s standard CFP2-DCO transceivers.  The module is compliant with the OIF-CFP2-DCO-01.0-Implementation Agreement and has a superior watt per gigabit performance.  The module will also be available in standard C-band tuning range for applications that do not require the significantly higher capacity per fiber that this module enables.

"This new module joins our ClearLightTM CFP-DCO transceiver line, which has been shipping since 2017, and is our first in a series of DCO Modules for 400G transmission and providing the benefits of extended C++ tuning range.  We are pleased to announce these initial shipments of our ClearLight CFP2-DCO coherent transceiver modules to customers," said Tim Jenks, Chairman and CEO of NeoPhotonics. "This new series will utilize our leading 64 Gbaud Silicon Photonics or Indium Phosphide PICs, together with our new Tunable C++ LASER Micro-ITLA.  This will increase the capacity and distance performance in a network well above that available in systems today," concluded Mr. Jenks.

https://www.neophotonics.com/press-releases/?newsId=11386

SpaceX orbits 60 more Starlink satellites

by Benedict Chua, Assistant Editor

SpaceX successfully launched 60 more of its Starlink satellites -- its third launch of Starlink satellites to date.

The launch used a Falcon 9 first stage that had previously flown on a Starlink mission in May 2019,  the Iridium-8 mission in January 2019, and on the Telstar 18 launch in September 2018. The Falcon 9 was successfully retrieved on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship in the Atlantic.

https://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/starlink_media_kit_jan2020.pdf

Amazon's Project Kuiper aims for 3,236 LEO satellites

Amazon filed an application with the FCC to launch up to 3,236 low-Earth orbit satellites for delivering advanced broadband services.

Amazon's Project Kuiper proposes up to 3,236 Ka-band satellites in 98 orbital planes with an apogee of 630km. Each satellite would have an estimated life of 7 years. The company says its Kuiper System will deliver satellite broadband communications services to tens of millions of unserved and underserved consumers and businesses in the United States and around the globe. The Kuiper System includes high-performance satellites, terrestrial gateways, internetworking technologies, and a range of customer terminals.

The Kuiper System will be capable of providing continuous coverage to customers within approximately 56˚N and 56˚S latitude serving the continental United States, Hawaii, U.S. territories, and other regions of the world.

Amazon also noted that its proposed Kuiper System would leverage its own secure, high-quality global networking and cloud infrastructure (AWS).

https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/ib/forms/attachment_menu.hts?id_app_num=131001&acct=322741&id_form_num=12&filing_key=-434810

SpaceX launches the first 60 Starlink LEO satellites

SpaceX successfully launched the first 60 satellites of its Starlink LEO constellation.

SpaceX has disclosed plans to deploy as many as 12,000 satellites in three, low earth orbit (LEO) shells. Cost estimates for full deployment approach $10 billion.

The launch used a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a first stage that had previously been used on the Telstar 18 VANTAGE mission in September 2018 and the Iridium-8 mission in January 2019. Following the launch, the booster successfully landed on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship, which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Starlink satellites were deployed at an altitude of 440km. Onboard propulsion was then used to boost each satellite to an operational altitude of 550km.

The Starlink satellites feature a flat-panel design with multiple high-throughput antennas and a single solar array. Each Starlink satellite weighs approximately 227kg.

SpaceX also said the Starlink satellites are able to track and maneuver around orbiting space debris using thrusters powered by Krypton.

In March 2018, the FCC authorized SpaceX to construct, deploy, and operate a proposed non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite system comprising 4,425 satellites for the provision of fixed-satellite service (FSS) around the world.

In July 2016, OneWeb was granted approval to build a similar constellation of MEO satellites.

Qualcomm intros dual-MAC Wi-Fi chip for cars

Qualcomm introduced a Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 5.1 chip for automotive applications.

The dual-MAC Qualcomm Automotive Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth combination chip (QCA6595AU) is designed to deliver 1 Gbps performance. It is complementary to the Qualcomm Automotive Wi-Fi 6 dual-MAC chip (QCA6696), which can reach nearly 1.8 Gbps of throughput, as well as to the Wi-Fi 5 single MAC chip (QCA6574AU), which offers up to 867 Mbps of throughput. 

The QCA6595AU offers 2x2 multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) 5 GHz and 1x1 single-input, single-output (SISO) 2.4 GHz dual-band simultaneous (DBS) operation.  The combination of MIMO plus SISO can offer high-speed 5GHz Wi-Fi throughout the vehicle, while supporting legacy 2.4 GHz devices and high-quality Bluetooth.  Up to 32 clients can be connected with improved WPA3 protocols for increased security.

The QCA6595AU also supports high data rate Wi-Fi 5 connections to external access points for automotive services, such as vehicle diagnostics, software updates and automatic check-ins when pulling up to dealerships.  Bluetooth 5.1 includes support for Bluetooth Smart Long Range, Angle of Arrival (AoA) and Angle of Departure (AoD) for advanced device direction finding to achieve sub-meter relative location accuracy.  Additionally, when paired with Qualcomm® Snapdragon Automotive Cockpit Platforms or Qualcomm® Snapdragon Automotive Wireless Solutions, Qualcomm Technologies Wi-Fi chips benefit from Internet Protocol Acceleration (IPA) hardware, offloading the Snapdragon platform and solutions from Internet Protocol (IP) firewall and routing responsibilities for the Wi-Fi data path, allowing the processor to be available for other infotainment or telematics applications.

“With in-vehicle experiences advancing at a rapid rate for drivers and passengers, automakers expect robust, low-latency connectivity options beyond the premium segment,” said Nakul Duggal, senior vice president, product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “As the automotive industry’s first MIMO and SISO Dual MAC Wi-Fi 5 combo solution, the QCA6595AU offers a great mix of features and performance, demonstrating Qualcomm Technologies’ commitment to offering the most complete portfolio of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth products to the automotive industry.”

HPE’s StoreFabric M-Series Ethernet Switches run Cumulus Linux

Cumulus Networks and Hewlett Packard Enterprise are working together on open, highly automated and scalable storage networking for data centers.

Specifically, HPE’s StoreFabric M-Series Ethernet Switches will run Cumulus Linux and NetQ, delivering a flexible networking fabric that is predictable, scalable and reliable.

"Many modern data centers feature all-flash storage architectures designed to meet the needs of high-performance applications, but what’s often limited these applications from reaching their true potential was networking," said Josh Leslie, CEO of Cumulus Networks. "The combination of Cumulus Linux and NetQ with HPE’s M-Series Ethernet Switches now provides organizations a more open, flexible networking fabric that is predictable, scalable, and reliable to help drive businesses forward."

"Storage networks built on M-series switches deliver high levels of performance and ultra-low latency," said Marty Lans, General Manager Storage Connectivity, HPE. "Adding Cumulus Linux and NetQ to the M-series now provides enterprises with greater network flexibility, increased scale, and deeper levels of automation making this a compelling solution for Ethernet Storage Fabrics."

Investment firm acquires Armis for $1.1 billion -- enterprise IoT security

Insight Partners will acquire Armis, a start-up specializing in enterprise IoT security, for $1.1 billion in cash.

Armis, which is based in Palo Alto, California, with an office in Tel Aviv, helps organizations safely embrace unmanaged and IoT devices throughout their business. Armis offers an agentless security solution that provides visibility of every device in the enterprise environment. It analyzes and classifies devices and their behavior in order to identify risks or attacks, and protects critical information and systems. Armis does not require any hardware and integrates seamlessly into any environment or existing infrastructure.

Insight is a global software investment firm.

Following the acquisition, Armis will continue to operate independently and will be fully managed by its two co-founders, Yevgeny Dibrov, CEO, and Nadir Izrael, CTO, and executive team, while leveraging the support of Insight's business strategy and ScaleUp division, Onsite.

"Insight is one of the most sophisticated software investors in the sector, and it is due to the depth of their domain expertise that they really understand the enterprise IoT device challenge we are looking to solve, and the size of the market opportunity. We considered growth rounds and strategic offers, but by partnering with Insight we have the best of both worlds - operational support and independence, both of which were important in our decision to take on a scaleup partner this early in our company journey," said Yevgeny Dibrov, co-founder and CEO at Armis.

"One of the biggest challenges keeping CIOs and CISOs up at night is how to secure the unmanaged devices proliferating through their businesses, from manufacturing floors to hospital rooms, from airports to boardrooms. These devices - capturing and creating business critical information, working on production lines, or administering patient care - have no protection and they need a security solution," said Nadir Izrael, CTO and co-founder at Armis. "The exponential growth of Armis to date illustrates just how critical securing unmanaged devices is for businesses. With the backing of Insight, we will continue to expand our world class technology to help identify devices, track their behavior and respond to the threats that target them."

Comcast launches WiFi 6 gateway

Comcast unveiled its xFi Advanced Gateway with WiFi 6 technology for customers that subscribe to Xfinity Internet speed tiers of 300 Mbps or faster.

Key features:

  • Four simultaneous dual-band antennas that support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands
  • A 2.5Gbps Ethernet port to support wired speeds greater than 1Gbps.
  • Bluetooth LE and Zigbee radios capable of connecting to virtually any IoT device.
  • Switchable mid-split support between 42MHz and 85MHz to allow greater upstream throughput.
  • The Gateway has the ability to deliver multiple streaming services simultaneously over WiFi throughout the home.

“We designed the next-generation Advanced Gateway to be the fastest, smartest and most powerful WiFi device on the planet to continue to deliver on our promise of bringing our customers a great broadband experience,” said Kunle Ekundare, Director of Product and Hardware Management,
Comcast. “The xFi Advanced Gateway is truly the best Internet product we’ve ever built, and we’re thrilled to be bringing our customers into the future with WiFi 6.”

Mobily Saudi Arabia picks Ericsson for 5G

Mobily Saudi Arabia has selected Ericsson for 5G. An agreement signed at Mobily's Riyadh headquarters covers the deployment of Ericsson products and solutions spanning transport, core, charging and billing and radio access -  including 5G products from the Ericsson Radio System portfolio. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Mobily said the agreement will support its drive to empower Saudi Arabia’s government and private sectors towards digital transformation, as well as accelerating the deployment of digital services, and expanding Internet of Things (IoT) usage.

Global Cloud Xchange names interim CEO

Global Cloud Xchange appointed Rory Cole as interim CEO, replacing Bill Barney, who is leaving to pursue other professional opportunities.

Cole has served as Chief Financial Officer of GCX since 2014.

The leadership transition comes after the confirmation of the company’s Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization.

“Rory is a trusted and visionary leader, who has demonstrated a proven ability to guide companies to their next stage of growth and evolution – both as part of the GCX team and in his prior roles transforming large, international telecommunications providers,” said Chris Mallon, Chairman of the Board at GCX. “We are confident Rory is the right person to lead GCX as we conduct the search for a permanent CEO. The GCX Board is thankful to Bill for his leadership, and we wish him well in his future endeavours.”

Cole previously served as the Chief Operating Officer of RCom’s Submarine Cable and Voice business units, as Chief Financial officer of MCI EMEA, a $3.5 billion division of MCI/Worldcom, and as Chief Operating Officer for Verizon’s 85-country International business unit.

Independent Global Cloud Xchange to emerge from bankruptcy

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware confirmed Global Cloud Xchange's Plan of Reorganization, clearing the way for the company to successfully complete its Chapter 11 financial restructuring.

GCX will emerge from Chapter 11. following regulatory approval, as an independent company backed by the strong ownership of its existing senior secured noteholders. Through Chapter 11, the company will have reduced its debt by $150 million and gained access to new working capital to further its strategic plan.

GCX owns one of the world’s largest private undersea cable system spanning more than 68,000 route kms.

Western Digital demos 8TB portable SSD

At the Consumer Electronics Show 2020 (CES® 2020) Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ: WDC) will showcase new innovations in its extensive lineup of storage solutions built for every consumer use, including a demonstration of

Western Digital demonstrated an 8TB pocket-sized, portable SSD prototype featuring a SuperSpeed USB 20Gbps interface. The company is also releasing the 1TB SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB Type-C drive for smartphones and laptops.

“Consumers are generating more content than ever and require more advanced solutions to help them capture, access, share and manage it all. Our top priority is to empower people by giving them complete control of their content, so they have peace of mind that it’s reliably stored and at their fingertips when and where they need it,” said David Ellis, vice president, product marketing, Western Digital.