The Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) announced completion of the 100G LH DWDM Framework Document, which lays the foundation for the forum’s 100G technical work and provides component vendors with the specificity needed to focus their 100G investments.
“The Framework Document provides the foundation that is needed to coordinate and advance the OIF 100G projects,” said Jeff Hutchins, director of business development for CoreOptics and an OIF board member. “The OIF’s Working Groups are now able to develop implementation agreements for the key components necessary for cost effective 100G long haul transport.”
The OIF’s 100G projects are targeted at producing specifications for the technically challenging application of DWDM 100G long-haul transport interfaces over 50GHz spaced channels. The framework begins by identifying a modulation format that is used to drive key component design considerations for the integrated photonics transmitter and receiver, the electro-mechanical aspects of a line-side optical transceiver module, as well as for forward error correction. The subcomponents are being specified in a modulation format independent manner where possible.
Karl Gass, an engineer with Sandia National Laboratories and the vice chair of the OIF’s Physical and Link Layer Working Group, said the document brings consensus among a critical mass of module and system vendors on the requirements for specific 100G technology elements. “Such a consensus will improve the business case for the required base technology investments,” he said.
“We are really encouraged by the OIF work on 100G,” said Glenn Wellbrock, director of optical transport, network architecture and design for Verizon Communications Inc.. “Bringing together multiple companies will allow the industry to work more quickly to implement 100G and help to both focus and minimize the industry’s investment.”
