The Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) members convened in Hong Kong in late October for the consortium's Q4 Technical Committee meeting and "OIF Day at Huawei" program.
Three new projects were launched, including plans to define 400G characteristics through a Framework Document. Projects to define Integrated Polarization Multiplexed Quadrature Modulated Transmitters for 100G Metro applications and an update the Multi-Link Gear box protocol also kicked-off during the meeting.
Following the main meeting, 65 attendees participated in a live, interactive educational workshop featuring OIF and Huawei subject-matter experts to discuss both the OIF’s projects and Huawei’s current and future needs for electrical/optical and networking technologies.
More news: OIF shows off 25G as portal to 100G, 400G ubiquity
400G Framework Document
The Physical and Link Layer (PLL) and Carrier Working Groups joined forces to begin developing a 400G Framework Document. The paper will analyze and discuss trade-offs between high-order modulation formats, high data rates per channel and a number of subcarriersleading to the definition of application scenarios and limits for 400G operation. The framework document will also consider single optical carrier vs. multi-carrier solutions for long haul and metro applications.
“Recently, several approaches to achieving 400G data transmission have been proposed with reported transmit fiber distances from short haul to long haul applications,” said Nathan Tracy, TE Connectivity and the OIF’s Technical Committee chair. “To develop this white paper, the OIF intends to bring the industry together to discuss the options and where the gaps exist for initial 400G long haul implementations.”
Integrated Polarization Multiplexed Quadrature Modulated Transmitters for Metro Applications
There is a great need for 100G coherent optical modulator modules for lower-cost, higher-density coherent metro applications. This new project will incorporate the use of new and advanced modulator technologies which will enable smaller and more cost-effective components needed for these metro applications.
Multi-Link Gearbox (MLG) 3.0
The MLG 3.0 project will define a protocol to support in-band and remote Monitoring & Control and define IEEE 802.3bj RS-FEC compatibility. In some applications the transport of 10GBASE-R signals over Nx20G links requires definition, including 2X20G and 1X40G links. The MLG 3.0 Project will define in-band coding that preserves 10GBASE-R physical lane-to-lane ordering and in-lane bit ordering to support synchronous and asynchronous 10G lanes.
Board and Officer Elections
Newly elected to the board of directors is Dave Brown of Alcatel-Lucent, who will serve a one-year term as vice president of marketing. Re-elected to the OIF board of directors are the following: Steve Joiner of Finisar, who will serve a two-year term; John McDonough of NEC America, who will serve a one-year term, was appointed vice president; and Vishnu Shukla of Verizon, who will serve a two-year term, was appointed president.
Newly elected OIF officers and committee chairs, each serving a one-year term, include: Nathan Tracy of TE Connectivity as Technical Committee chair; Jonathan Sadler of Tellabs as Technical Committee vice chair, Brian Holden of Kandou as Market Awareness & Education Committee co-chair, PLL; Lyndon Ong of Ciena as Market Awareness & Education Committee co-chair, Networking.
Information on the OIF can be found at http://www.oiforum.com.
