ADVA Optical Networking announced Wednesday the industry’s first Ethernet device that supports synchronization, which is key for mobile backhaul applications.
“One of the last challenges for Ethernet is synchronization,” said Fred Ellefson, senior director of business planning for ADVA.
Because Ethernet is a packet-based technology, he explained, it does not have the accurate timing required for real-time services like voice. So many mobile operators are migrating only data services to carrier Ethernet backhaul, and retaining T1s or E1s for voice.
ADVA’s new FSP 150CC-GE206 supports synchronous Ethernet (SyncE), so it can replace traditional T1/E1-based synchronization in the delivery of Ethernet services. SyncE is the new ITU-T standard comprised of three standards G.8261, G.8262, G.8264. ADVA’s Ethernet NID also supports IEEE’s 1588v2, which features an accurate time-of-day sync to a master clock.
The device also includes five ports that offer different clocking options to give service providers flexibility to choose what works for them. These include Building Integrated Timing Systems (BITS) input and output, 10MHz clock input (e.g., from external GPS receiver), pulse per second (PPS) time-of-day clock sync, and time-of-day input (NMEA 0183).
The new NID also features plug-in modules, which Ellefson says are unusual in this type of device, which usually comes preconfigured. The plug-ins, he said, enable service providers to change the function of the box while having to inventory and spare fewer devices.
The first plug-in will enable circuit emulation and will be available in late 2009. The second, additional Ethernet ports, is expected in 2010. Presently the device supports six Ethernet ports.
The unit also is temperature-hardened so it can be placed in a cabinet without cooling or heating.
The FSP 150CC-GE206 is presently in lab trials with carriers and will be generally available in June.
