Verizon and NSN Set New Record for 100 Gbps Optical Transmission

Verizon and Nokia Siemens Networks have taken a step closer to being able to transmit commercial traffic at a speed of 100 Gigabits per second (Gbps) traffic. The two companies carried out a successful 100 Gbps transmission on a single wavelength for more than 1,040 kilometers over field fiber, setting a new distance record and demonstrating better performance than conventional transmission.

The field trial, conducted on optical fiber on the Verizon network in north Dallas, successfully proved that 100 Gbps signals can be simultaneously transported with 10 Gbps and 40 Gbps signals on the same system with superior results by using advanced optical techniques.

The Nokia Siemens hiT 7500 ultra-long-haul, dense-wavelength-division-multiplexing platform -- combined with multi-level modulation, polarization multiplexing and coherent detection -- allowed the signal to be carried over ultra-long distances at high-data rates with significantly better chromatic dispersion and polarization-mode-dispersion tolerances than conventional systems.

"As a leader in pursuit of 100 Gbps technology, VerizonĂ's goal is to drive optical networking to deliver greater capacities over longer distances to enhance the high performance and high bandwidth of our network," said Mark Wegleitner, Verizon senior vice president for technology. "Whether itĂ's FiOS delivering HD channels and video on demand or business customers using database applications and online trading, we strive to provide the most advanced underlying network technology for our customers."

The field trial also demonstrated that 100 Gbps traffic can be simultaneously transported with any mix of 10 Gbps and 40 Gbps on a typical 80-channel ULH DWDM system. As a result, current network configurations can support capacity upgrades to 100 Gbps per channel on existing routes over similar distances without modification to the physical network, providing quicker, cost-effective implementation.

Like VerizonĂ's previous 100 Gbps trial in late 2007, this field trial also carried the 100 Gbps signal on a single wavelength, demonstrating true 100 Gbps throughput in a serial configuration. In this field trial, the modulation technology enabled an even higher total system capacity of 8 terabits per second. A terabit is one trillion bits.

"This is another groundbreaking milestone for Nokia Siemens Networks and VerizonĂ's photonic networking expertise in shaping the development of a 100G commercial product," said Bernd Schumacher, head of Nokia Siemens NetworksĂ' IP Transport Business Unit. "This field trial was a logical next step to demonstrate that our optical-transport technology adds value to our customersĂ' core networks."

Posted to the site on 25th September 2008