What's hot at #OFC23?
Infinera's Tim Doiron gives us a rundown of the latest developments in coherent optical systems and pluggable solutions.
Thursday, March 9, 2023
OFC video: Adtran -100ZR pluggables offer fast upgrade path for access networks
What’s hot at #OFC23?
New 100ZR OSFP28 pluggables will change the access and aggregation infrastructure.
Adtran’s Stephan Rettenberger explains.
OFC video: Fujitsu’s 1FINITY Ultra Optical System delivers 1.2 Tbps waves
What's hot at #OFC23?
How about pushing optical transmission to the next level?
Fujitsu's Rich Colter gives us the update of Fujitsu's flagship 1FINITY Ultra Optical System.
OFC Video: AMD on Forward Error Correction at 800G
What's hot at #OFC23? Forward Error Correction (FEC) becomes increasingly difficult as speed increases. So how does it work at 800G? AMD's Gilles Garcia provides a demo at this year's OFC in San Diego.
https://youtu.be/CriQPCwXEHs
Broadcom intros 5nm integrated 800G PAM-4 PHY
At #OFC23, Broadcom announced sampling of its 5nm 100G/lane optical PAM-4 DSP PHY with integrated transimpedance amplifier (TIA) and laser driver.
The new BCM85812, which is optimized for 800G DR8, 2x400G FR4 and 800G AOC module applications, is based on the company’s existing 5nm 112G PAM-4 DSP platform.
Highlights
- Monolithic 5nm 800G PAM-4 PHY with integrated TIA and high-swing laser driver
- Delivers best-in-class module performance in BER and power consumption.
- Drives down 800G module power for SMF solutions to sub 11W and MMF solutions to sub 10W.
- Compliant to all applicable IEEE and OIF standards, capable of supporting MR links on the chip to module interface.
- Fully compliant with OIF 3.2T Co-Packaged Optical Module Specs
- Capable of supporting optical modules from 800G to 3.2T
At OFC, Broadcom demonstrated the BCM85812 in an end-to-end link connecting two Tomahawk 5 (TH5) switches using Eoptolink’s 800G DR8 optical modules.
“This first-to-market highly integrated 5nm 100G/lane DSP PHY extends Broadcom’s optical PHY leadership and demonstrates our commitment to addressing the stringent low power requirements from hyperscale data center and cloud providers,” said Vijay Janapaty, vice president and general manager of the Physical Layer Products Division at Broadcom. “With our advancement in 200G/lane, Broadcom continues to lead the industry in developing next generation solutions for 51.2T and 102.T switch platforms.”
Keysight and partners achieve 160 GBaud using PAM6
Keysight, in collaboration with the RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and Riga Technical University (RTU), demonstrated the first 310 GBaud rates using on-off keying modulation and 160 GBaud rates using PAM6 modulation with direct detection system to support 1.6 Tbps applications.
The researchers focused on an approach using a low latency intensity modulation and direct detection (IM/DD) system with the highest baud rate possible. The demonstration used amplification-free, externally modulated laser optical links that reduce overall power consumption.
The demonstration was enabled by the new Keysight M8199B 256 GSa/s Arbitrary Waveform Generator that delivers 75 GHz bandwidth and 2.5 V output amplitude in combination with the 110 GHz Keysight UXR1104A Infiniium UXR-Series Oscilloscope.
Dr. Oskars Ozoliņš, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, KTH and RTU, said: “Data center interconnects require simple and efficient solutions to reduce complexity. We demonstrated that using a simple solution such as an externally modulated laser with record baud rate for on-off keying, PAM4, and PAM16 is a very efficient solution for cost efficient links in data centers. With Keysight’s support we have been able to validate that our experiment works. Innovations like this are only possible when working side-by-side with partners like Keysight.”
Dr. Joachim Peerlings, Vice President of Network and Data Center Solutions at Keysight Technologies, said: “Keysight supports young talented researchers and is proud to contribute to the development of next generation datacom optical interfaces. Collaborations like this help to address the next leap in the technology wave.”
MACOM launches 226Gbps per lane products for 1.6TB optical modules
At #OFC23, MACOM introduced its 226Gbps per lane technology product family for enabling 1.6TB optical modules.
The product family includes MACOM transimpedance amplifiers MATA-40734 and MATA-40736, Externally Modulated Laser (EML) driver MAOM-011112 and photodiode MARP-BP112.
The TIAs allow for a data rate of up to 226.8Gbps per lane to support KP4 and IEEE concatenated Forward Error Correction (FEC) with 750um spacing to photodetectors to minimize channel-to-channel cross talk. TIAs for both wire-bonded and flip-chip applications are available.
The EML driver is a single-channel flip-chip device enabling ultra-low inductance interfaces for optimum performance and minimum size in an optical module design. Its high bandwidth and high swing can help deliver industry-leading optical performance.
The photodiode is also a flip-chip design with high responsivity and an integrated lens for improved alignment tolerance. It is available in both singlet and array form factor.
Asia Submarine-cable Express upgrades with Ciena’s WaveLogic 5
Asia Submarine-cable Express (ASE), a consortium subsea cable running a total of 8,148km between Japan to Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore, is leveraging Ciena’s Waveserver 5 powered by WaveLogic 5 Extreme and an optical bypass, to enable a 193% improvement in its original design capacity.
Waveserver 5 also minimizes ASE’s rack space and reduces power consumption by 60% for a greener solution.
“With Asia a key hub for international business, intra-Asia cable routes are becoming increasingly congested. In this crowded playing field, we’ve teamed up with Ciena on upgrades designed to enhance the delivery capacity of our current cables. We are especially pleased to have greener, more sustainable ways of powering connectivity and reduce power consumption,” said Mr. Yoshio Sato, ASE MC Chairman.
“We have been working extensively with ASE to maximize its network assets across the last few upgrades. With WaveLogic 5 Extreme enabling 400GbE single-wave transport across any distance, ASE can scale its cable with less power and cost. Together with ASE, we are making continued progress toward a more ecofriendly, connected future without compromise,” said Mr. Jamie Jefferies, Vice President and General Manager, International, Ciena.
Credo and EFFECT Photonics team up on coherent DSPs
Credo is working with EFFECT Photonics on coherent Digital Signal Processor (DSP) merchant ICs.
The two companies will work together to develop new coherent DSP products featuring EFFECT Photonics’ coherent DSP technology and Forward Error Correction (FEC), combined with Credo’s high-speed SerDes, I/Os, Analog to Digital Converters (ADCs), and Digital to Analog Converters (DACs).
Credo will manufacture and manage the sales and supply channels of the co-developed merchant ICs, and provide complete design services and customer support.
The first products will target 100G ZR and 100G ZR+ applications. The products will work within the popular QSFP28 optical module’s ultralow 5W power envelope and extend network reach well beyond 80km to support advanced application requirements. These products will target new buildouts and the imminent 10G upgrade cycle to 100G for service providers, 5G telecom and fixed-access operators.
“Coherent technologies are gaining importance as they improve spectral efficiency and increase data throughput. Historically, coherent solutions have been mostly deployed for very long distances due to their high power and high cost,” said Scott Feller, Vice President of Marketing at Credo. “Our first collaboration with EFFECT Photonics will allow us to deliver capabilities that fit into the power envelopes of the most commonly used transceivers at a competitive price, providing our large volume customers with a refined solution that will seamlessly integrate into their existing access and edge infrastructure to address the dramatic bandwidth growth at the network edge.”
Highlights
- Optimized ZR and ZR+ solutions cover 40 to 500km links.
- Energy-efficiency with ultralow power consumption.
- Devices will be rated for both commercial and industrial temperature operating ranges.
- Compliant with industry standards.
- Credo’s high-speed data converters, SerDes and I/Os, are optimized for performance and energy efficiency.
- EFFECT Photonics’ best-in-class, field-proven coherent DSP and FEC technology (gained through the company’s acquisition agreement with Viasat).
- Credo will be the sole supplier of the merchant ICs, working with its foundry partners to provide dependable supply chain fulfilment with competitive lead times.
- Credo’s DSP expertise leverages its N-1 process technology advantage to deliver the most cost-effective coherent DSPs in the market.
Airspan sells its Mimosa unit to Radisys and considers strategic options
Airspan Networks agreed to sell its Mimosa Networks business unit to Radisys Corporation (a wholly owned subsidiary of Jio Platforms), for US$ 60 million on a debt free, cash free basis.
Mimosa has a diverse portfolio of point-to-point and point-to-multi-point products based on WiFi 5 and the newer WiFi 6E technologies as well as related accessories, such as twist on antennas, PoE Injectors, etc. These solutions have use cases in the backhaul requirements for 5G and FTTX/ FWA rollouts. Jio has been a major customer of Mimosa.
Airspan acquired Mimosa in 2018. Mimosa’s product development, manufacturing, and sales teams of 56 employees will continue with Mimosa following the acquisition by Radisys. Airspan maintains a reseller channel for specific joint 4G/5G and FWA projects and will continue marketing Mimosa products to some of its customers following the acquisition. Mimosa revenues for 2022 were approximately $25 million.
Separately, Airspan said it will sharpen its focus as a pure-play in 4G/5G Open RAN and private networks. The company’s Board of Directors is evaluating strategic option as has hired PJT Partners to pursue various options to optimize shareholder value.
Airspan reports unaudited revenue for FY22 and 4Q22 of $167.3 million and $41.7 million as well as FY22 Gross Profit of $66.4 million (39.7% gross margin) and 4Q22 Gross Profit of $19.2 million (46.1% gross margin).
Airspan acquires Mimosa Networks
Airspan Networks, which offers 4G & 5G small cell access and backhaul solutions, has acquired Mimosa Networks, a developer of wireless broadband systems. Financial terms were not disclosed. Mimosa, which was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, leverages Multi-User MIMO technologies in its outdoor gigabit wireless platforms for service providers. Mimosa's access, backhaul, and client solutions are deployed in a hybrid-fiber-wireless...
