Open XR Forum MSA gets underway

A new Open XR Forum has been established to advance the development of XR optics-enabled products and services, accelerate the adoption of coherent point-to-multipoint network architectures, and drive standardization of networking interfaces to ensure ease of multi-vendor interoperability and an open, multi-source solution ecosystem.

The Open XR Forum will function as a multi-source agreement (MSA) working group for XR optics, the industry’s first point-to-multipoint coherent pluggable transceiver technology. XR optics provides a solution that can dramatically simplify network architectures, reduce operating costs, and enable a dynamic and on-demand capacity allocation while paving the way for a network architecture that is compatible across multiple generations of optical technologies. Network operator studies have demonstrated that XR optics can provide a reduction in the total cost of ownership by as much as 70 percent.

Initial members include Verizon, Lumen Technologies, Windstream, Liberty Global and Infinera. 

http://www.openxrforum.org

Infinera introduces XR Optics-powered coherent pluggables

Wednesday, May 19, 2021  Infinera  

Infinera introduced a suite of coherent optical pluggables based on its XR optics technology and designed to seamlessly address point-to-point and point-to-multipoint transport applications from the network edge to the core. Infinera’s new suite of vertically integrated ICE-XR pluggables will support a range of transport rates, including 100G, 400G, and 800G, and utilize industry-standard form factors such as QSFP-28, QSFP-DD, and CFP2 to enable...

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Australia's NBN Co tests Infinera's XR optics

Wednesday, May 12, 2021  Australia, Infinera, NBN Co  

NBN Co, Australia’s wholesale open-access broadband provider, completed a successful proof of concept of Infinera's XR optics-based point-to-multipoint coherent optical technology. The trial demonstrated XR optics’ compatibility within the nbn Transit Network, a DWDM network spanning over 65,000 km across Australia.Infinera said the trial highlighted the ability of XR optics to dramatically simplify transport network architecture while reducing CapEx...

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ADVA's CoreChannel transmits 800G over 1,600-km

ADVA introduced its CoreChannel technology with the power to transmit 800 Gbps over more than 1,600 km using 140GBd sub-carrier technology, representing an improvement in reach of over 50% compared with 95GBd technologies.

ADVA says the new CoreChannel sled for FSP 3000 TeraFlex platform is now being trialed by major carriers and R&E network operators. Compatible with deployed infrastructure, the new solution delivers industry-leading SNR requirements making it resilient to transmission impairments. Along with the bandwidth flexibility and fractional QAM capabilities of the TeraFlex terminal, this ensures 800 Gbps transport with highest efficiency, highest performance and lowest cost. Featuring multi-rate client support, the CoreChannel™ sled can transport any mix of 400GbE, 100GbE and 10GbE services, providing customers with flexibility and protecting their investment as they migrate to higher speeds.

“Network operators across the planet have been harnessing our FSP 3000 TeraFlex to unlock the full potential of their fiber assets. Our compact, plug-and-play terminal offers a simple and cost-efficient way to maximize the capacity of optical infrastructure. Today we’re making it even more powerful with the introduction of our CoreChannel™ sled. Customers can now transport data at 400Gbit/s and 800Gbit/s over longer distances than ever before with a solution that delivers the lowest possible cost per bit per kilometer,” said Christoph Glingener, CTO, ADVA. “Our FSP 3000 TeraFlex™ CoreChannel™ technology offers an enormous boost to operators transmitting services across countries and continents. What’s more, long-haul transport with TeraFlex™ CoreChannel™ is even more efficient and reliable thanks to its superior link signal-to-noise (SNR) requirements and higher network performance.”

https://www.adva.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/20210608-adva-launches-teraflex-corechannel-for-industrys-longest-800g-reach

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Ayar Labs demos terabit link for Co-Packaged Optics and chip-to-chip

Ayar Labs demonstrated the industry’s first Terabit per second Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) optical link with its TeraPHY optical I/O chiplet and SuperNova multi-wavelength optical source. 

The demonstration shows a fully functional TeraPHY chiplet with 8 optical ports running error free without Forward Error Correction (FEC) for a total bandwidth of 1.024 Tbps and at less than 5 pJ/bit energy efficiency. 

“This is yet another industry first demonstration of our technology which promises to transform computing and extend the benefits of Moore’s Law,” said Charles Wuischpard, CEO, Ayar Labs. “Digital transformation is being driven by cloud, connectivity, artificial intelligence, and intelligent edge; our roadmap of products and custom solutions is tailored to serve these high-volume market segments. We remain on track to deliver on several customer commitments by end of year.”

Ayar Labs also demonstrated the industry’s first multi-wavelength, multi-port optical source with 64 addressable wavelengths. Named SuperNova, it offers eight times the number of wavelengths compared to commercially available pluggable products. The SuperNova is also the first product compliant with the optical source specifications of the CW-WDM MSA, an industry consortium that drives standards for advanced optical communication and computing applications that require a leap in performance, efficiency, cost, and bandwidth scaling. The multi-wavelength source leverages laser technology from MACOM, a leading supplier of lasers and optoelectronics for telecommunications and data center applications.

“MACOM’s novel laser arrays are ideal for silicon photonics and co-packaged optics,” said Stephen G. Daly, President and CEO of MACOM. “As a promoter-level member of the CW-WDM MSA, we are excited to collaborate with Ayar Labs on the next generation of optical devices based on the MSA’s new specification.”

The details of this industry-first demonstration will be presented as a postdeadline paper by Dr. Mark Wade, Co-Founder and CTO of Ayar Labs, on Friday, June 11 at 9:15 a.m. PDT at the Optical Fiber Communication Conference (OFC) 2021. OFC postdeadline papers represent the latest and most advanced technical achievements in the field.

(available via OFC conference web site for registrants)

https://ayarlabs.com

Ayar Labs hits key milestone for chip-to-chip optical connectivity

Wednesday, December 02, 2020  Ayar, GlobalFoundries  

 Ayar Labs demonstrated its patented monolithic electronic/photonic solution on Globalfoundries' next-gen photonics solution based on its 45nm platform. The companies said this industry-first demonstration is a key milestone in providing chip-to-chip optical connectivity at scale. The two companies began working together in 2015 with a commitment to collaborate and commercialize differentiated silicon photonics solutions for greenfield...

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Lockheed Martin Ventures invests in Ayar Labs

Monday, March 02, 2020  Ayar, Funding, Silicon Valley, Start-Ups  

Lockheed Martin Ventures has made a strategic investment in Ayar Labs, a start-up that is developing  monolithic in-package optical I/O (MIPO) solution for applications that require high bandwidth, low latency and power efficient short reach interconnects. Financial terms were not disclosed. Ayar Labs publicly demonstrated its monolithic electronic photonic TeraPHY chiplet at the Supercomputing 2019 conference and is now working with select...

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Ayar Labs selected for Intel’s DARPA PIPES Project

Thursday, November 21, 2019  Ayar, DARPA  

Ayar Labs has been selected as Intel’s optical I/O solution partner for their recently awarded DARPA PIPES (Photonics in Package for Extreme Scalability) project. The PIPES project aims to develop integrated optical I/O solutions co-packaged with next generation FPGA/CPU/GPU and accelerators in Multi-Chip Packages (MCP) to provide extreme data rates (input/output) at ultra-low power over much longer distances than supported by current technology....

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CW-WDM MSA releases Multi-Wavelength Optical Laser Sources spec

The CW-WDM MSA (Continuous-Wave Wavelength Division Multiplexing Multi-Source Agreement) Group released its first official specification for 8, 16, and 32 wavelength optical sources.

The Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) defines laser sources covering three spans in the O-band wavelength grids. These lasers can be used as optical sources for multiple applications such as high- density co-packaged optics, machine learning, and optical computing. Each wavelength grid is defined with enough technical detail to ensure interoperability across the range of applications. The MSA also outlines measurement methods required for standards compliance.

Key Highlights of the MSA Specifications:

• Frequency assignments for 8, 16 and 32 wavelength grid configurations with multiple grid spacings
• Two physical configurations, including a modular optical source with each output port carrying a single wavelength, and an integrated optical source with each output port carrying all the wavelengths
• A range of output power classes targeting applications that require very low and very high output levels
• Definitions of optical parameters and measurement methods, including relative intensity noise, side mode suppression ratio (SMSR), and linewidth
• Fixed and flexible wavelength grid configurations to support deployment in a variety of environmental conditions

“The CW-WDM MSA just published an 8, 16, and 32 wavelength O-band laser source standard for use in optical transceivers for emerging advanced datacom applications,” commented Chris Cole, Chair of the MSA. “Laser sources are the critical component in optical communications and having an agreed set of grids creates great opportunities for transceiver and laser suppliers to develop innovative products.”

https://cw-wdm.org/cw-wdm-msa-consortium-releases-new-specification-for-multi-wavelength-optical-laser-sources/

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Marvell intros Atlas 50Gbps PAM4 DSP chipset

Marvell announced its Atlas 50Gbps PAM4 DSP chipset which integrates transimpedance amplifiers (TIAs) and laser drivers in the CMOS package.

The integration of the new Atlas chipset, which is based on Marvell’s Polaris 50G PAM4 DSP family,  reduces supply chain complexity and power consumption by up to 25%. Atlas is also the industry’s first PAM4 DSP available to wire bond directly with lasers and photodiodes, further simplifying the assembly process for optical module integrators, effectively reducing both product lead times and time to market. Sampling is underway.

Atlas PAM4 DSP Key Features:

• Leverages Polaris-class quad-channel DSP core, providing world-class performance and signal integrity while driving faster time to market and product yields.
• Uses existing Polaris DSP software, minimizing software development expense for module developers.
• Comprehensive suite of performance monitoring tools to reduce bring-up time and support mission-mode telemetry critical for hyperscale deployments.
• Integrated laser drivers support both single- and multi-mode interconnect applications.
• Suitable to support a wide range of module form factors including OSFP, QSFP56, QSFP-DD and AOCs.
• Broad range of IEEE standard support including 100G-xR2, 200G-xR4 and 400G-xR8.
• Manufactured in mainstream CMOS process technology optimized for high volume production to deliver a high-performance, low-power PAM4 DSP solution.

“Disaggregated data centers define today’s new cloud computing paradigm, and this trend is driving hyper-connectivity within the data center, putting PAM4 data center interconnects at the heart of the network,” said Xi Wang, VP of Marketing, Optical Connectivity at Marvell. “The new Atlas PAM4 DSP targets this burgeoning, high-volume data center market as well as cost-sensitive applications at the network edge.”

“Marvell understands the requirements of today’s hyperscale data center operators and has delivered a highly integrated, high-performance PAM4 DSP.

https://www.marvell.com/ 

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Infinera’s ICE6 selected for PEACE submarine cable system

Infinera's ICE6 optical engine solution will be deployed on the Mediterranean Segment of the Pakistan & East Africa Connecting Europe (PEACE) submarine cable system. 

Infinera said it was selected following extensive technology evaluation and application analysis of its ICE6 solution, including its combination of ultra-high baud rates and an advanced modulation technique known as long-codeword probabilistic constellation shaping. Both capabilities are using the latest 7-nm ASIC technology, highly optimized algorithms and Infinera’s second-generation Nyquist subcarriers.

The high-speed, 15,000-km PEACE submarine cable system offers high-capacity, low-latency routes connecting China, Europe and Africa. In addition to France, the cable will land in Malta, Cyprus, Egypt, Djibouti, Kenya, Pakistan and other countries and regions, with onward terrestrial connectivity to China.

Mr. Sun Xiao Hua, Chief Operating Officer, PEACE Cable International Network Co., Limited, said, “We are committed to being a leading international submarine cable operator, providing customers with an open, flexible and carrier-neutral service that enables them to choose any device that they prefer. This collaboration with Infinera is just the beginning. Welcome aboard.”

Mr. Haitham Zahran, Vice President – EMEA Subsea Cable Systems, PCCW Global, said, “PEACE submarine cable system is specifically optimized for maximum capacity per fiber pair and our advanced network design enables us to continue to embrace new technologies in order to meet growing bandwidth demand over these important routes. We are hopeful that it will soon be the highest-performing open cable system connecting Asia, Europe and Africa.”

Mr. Nick Walden, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales, Infinera, said, “Infinera has always excelled in providing solutions that help network operators extract the greatest amount of value from their submarine assets. ICE6 enables PCCW Global and PEACE Cable to offer industry-leading, open, scalable and flexible services to their customers over the PEACE submarine cable system, as demand across these regions continues to grow dramatically.”

http://www.peacecable.com

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Fastly's global CDN suffers configuration error

 Fastly, which operates a global content delivery network, experienced service configuration issue that triggered disruptions across its POPs worldwide. Service disruptions continued for about three hours, impacting traffic from top websites such as CNN, NYTimes, Amazon, Reddit, and others.

According to the company's website, the incident affected: Asia/Pacific (Auckland (AKL), Brisbane (BNE), Dubai (FJR), Hong Kong (HKG), Melbourne (MEL), Osaka (ITM), Perth (PER), Singapore (SIN), Sydney (SYD), Tokyo (HND), Tokyo (TYO), Wellington (WLG), Singapore (QPG), Tokyo (NRT)), South America (Buenos Aires (EZE), Bogota (BOG), Curitiba (CWB), Rio de Janeiro (GIG), Santiago (SCL), Sāo Paulo (CGH), Sāo Paulo (GRU), Lima (LIM)), North America (Ashburn (BWI), Ashburn (DCA), Ashburn (IAD), Ashburn (WDC), Atlanta (FTY), Atlanta (PDK), Boston (BOS), Chicago (CHI), Chicago (MDW), Chicago (ORD), Chicago (PWK), Columbus (CMH), Columbus (LCK), Dallas (DAL), Dallas (DFW), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Jacksonville (JAX), Kansas City (MCI), Los Angeles (BUR), Los Angeles (LAX), Los Angeles (LGB), Miami (MIA), Minneapolis (MSP), Minneapolis (STP), Montreal (YUL), New York (LGA), Newark (EWR), Palo Alto (PAO), Phoenix (PHX), Portland (PDX), San Jose (SJC), Seattle (SEA), St. Louis (STL), Toronto (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR)), South Africa (Cape Town (CPT), Johannesburg (JNB)), India (Chennai (MAA), Mumbai (BOM), New Delhi (DEL)), and Europe (Amsterdam (AMS), Copenhagen (CPH), Dublin (DUB), Frankfurt (FRA), Frankfurt (HHN), Helsinki (HEL), London (LCY), London (LHR), London (LON), Madrid (MAD), Manchester (MAN), Marseille (MRS), Milan (MXP), Oslo (OSL), Paris (CDG), Stockholm (BMA), Vienna (VIE), Munich (MUC)).

https://status.fastly.com/incidents/vpk0ssybt3bj

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MACOM intros two-chip analog solution for 200G and 400G

MACOM announced the availability of its two-chip analog solution for 200G and 400G short reach modules (QSFP, OSFP, QSFP-DD) and Active Optical Cable (AOC) applications in the Data Center. The chipset delivers better than IEEE standard specified bit error rate (BER) performance and is compliant with Open Eye MSA eye mask specifications.

The chipset consists of two integrated combo devices:

• MATA-38044, a 4x56Gbps PAM-4 CDR and TIA
• MALD-38045, a 4x56Gbps PAM-4 CDR and VCSEL driver

The MATA-38044 is a four channel 28 GBaud linear PAM-4/NRZ TIA with automatic gain control and integrated CDRs. The MALD-38045 is a four channel 28 GBaud PAM-4/NRZ VCSEL driver with an integrated CDR designed to directly modulate VCSELs in the transmit path of optical modules. Each of the four channels can operate independently. Both devices consume industry leading low power and can operate at Ethernet, Fibre Channel and InfiniBand PAM-4 and NRZ data rates up to 56Gbps.

This two-chip analog solution provides an alternative to traditional DSP-based technology. It has lower power consumption, lower latency, lower cost and requires a smaller footprint when compared to a DSP-based solution.

https://www.macom.com/

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ADVA supplies FSP 3000 open line system for TIP's proof-of-concept

ADVA supplied its FSP 3000 open line system (OLS) and Ensemble Controller network management and SDN domain controller system for a Telecom Infra Project (TIP) open optical networking proof of concept (PoC) at this week's virtual OFC.

The PoC showed how multi-vendor network components can be managed by a unified software-defined networking (SDN) control system. Specifically designed for easy interoperability, ADVA’s FSP 3000 OLS and Ensemble Controller ensured seamless integration into the open environment, including third-party terminals. 

Conducted by TIP’s Converged Architectures for Network Disaggregation & Integration (CANDI) sub-group, the PoC proved that all components of an open optical network can be operated by a single SDN controller. By demonstrating unified management of the OLS, open terminals and optical planning tool, the demo paves the way for true open networking and a new model of infrastructure operations with operators taking over network integration and optimization processes. 

“This PoC is an important milestone in the journey to fully open and disaggregated optical networking. It offers new levels of visibility and a way to manage the entire multi-vendor environment. With the power to seamlessly integrate components from different suppliers, network operators can confidently deploy best-in-class infrastructure that meets their exact requirements,” said Christoph Glingener, CTO, ADVA. “Our FSP 3000 OLS was central to the demo. It’s a truly open solution that gives operators freedom to build multi-supplier architectures and then evolve and optimize each network layer separately. With our Ensemble Controller also playing a major role – providing network management and programmatic SDN control – this demo highlights the value of technology like ours that supports interoperability and disaggregation.”

https://www.adva.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/20210607-tip-harnesses-adva-for-successful-trial-of-end-to-end-open-optical-network

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