Telecom giants push for 40 Gbit/s passive optical networks

A forum of telecommunication service providers and suppliers has crafted a technical proposal for 40 Gbit/second passive optical networks. Members of the forum are targeting the proposal to be ratified as standards by 2013 and plans to have it developed it by 2015.

The Full Service Access Network (FSAN) has narrowed down more than a dozen proposals to a single synthesized version, supported by member companies including Alcatel-Lucent, Huawei and ZTE.

The proposal calls for use of time and wavelength division multiplexed (TWDM) technology and includes optional support for a wavelength division multiplexed overlay. Similarly, it calls for supporting a stack of at least four wavelengths each carrying 10 Gbit/s of data and is expected to support distances of 40kmskm without field amplifiers.

The network's pitch is a follow up on today's XGPON technology that delivers 10 Gbit/s downstream and 2.5 Gbit/s upstream.

FSAN chairman Martin Carroll stated that TWDM is a known, proven technology and some components are already available for aspects of the system. Operators unanimously agreed that this is the technology they want to focus on.

FSAN is only one of many groups reinforcing next-generation optical networking speeds. The Optical Internetworking Group is also undertaking a similar venture as they formulate a proposal for 100 and 400 Gbit/s interfaces.

An IEEE group has also scheduled a meeting to discuss the future of Ethernet. The meeting also plans to weigh multiple proposals for lowering the cost of today's 100 Gbit/s Ethernet. Assessments regarding the future of 400Gbit/s and terabit/s Ethernet will also be made in the planned meeting.

Optical Internetworking Group has also met met recently. The group hammered out a handful of proposals for 100 and 400 Gbit/s interfaces. The group also hosted a workshop on software-defined networking.

- Rick Merritt
?? E.E. Times U.S.