High-speed Fiber Optics Communications - Specifics, Technologies, Applications and Markets

The amount of backbone Internet bandwidth maintained by the major Internet carriers has been expanding at 75% to 125% per year, driven by the explosion of broadband Internet users and growing use of bandwidth-hungry applications such as HD video. As a result, public and private networks are experiencing unprecedented end-user demand for bandwidth, resulting in a need to cost-effectively scale the capacity of communications networks. 

This report reflects dramatic changes in high-speed data transmission for bandwidth-hungry applications (in LAN, metro and long-haul environments). Though the report concentrates on Ethernet-based networks, it shows that the whole telecommunications industry is also actively working to adopt higher speeds of transmission. 40 Gb/s networks already have a history of success; and 100 Gb/s rates are introduced by major service providers. New standards support these developments. Meanwhile, industry analysts already are talking about 400 Gb/s and even 1 Tb/s interfaces.

The report continues the Practel project, which researches and analyzes the development of multi-gigabit per second (Gb/s) optical networks. In particular, this report addresses technological and marketing aspects of ultra-high speed communications: 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s. Such rates are becoming a necessity for data centers and computing networks; as well as for long haul applications including terrestrial submarine extensions.

The report provides up-to-date information on these networks status; it reflects intensive efforts of standard organizations (IEEE, ITU, OIF and other) in developing standards for these types of communications. The IEEE 802.3ba, ITU G.709 (OTU3 and OTU4) and other standards created a basis for the technology advances in the discussed area.

Currently, 40 GE - 40 Gb/s transmission has already made significant contributions to the telecommunications market. The market is still too far from maturity, but it is supported by a developed base of manufacturers. 100 GE – 100 Gb/s networking is also introduced with expectation that the sizable market will evolve in 2012-2013; several service providers are offering services that utilize this technology.

The report details the process of standardization for ultra-high rates communications and advances in technologies; it is also analyzing respective markets, including service providers’ revenue estimate. In addition, the report provides the results of vendors’ survey; and information on technologies trials and service offerings.

1.0 Introduction

1.1 General

1.2 Goal

1.3 Research Methodology

1.4 Target Audience

2.0 Standardization Process: 40G And 100G

2.1 Drivers

2.2 Activity

2.2.1 Ieee

2.2.1.1 802.3Ba

2.2.1.1.1 Time Schedule And Scope

2.2.1.1.2 Further Efforts

2.2.1.1.3 Goals

2.2.1.1.4 Details

2.2.1.1.5 Interfaces

2.2.1.1.6 Sublayers – Architecture

2.2.1.1.7 Otn Support

2.2.1.2 Ieee 802.3Bg

2.2.1.3 Ieee 802.3Bj

2.2.1.4 Next Generation 40Gb/S And 100Gb/S Optical Ethernet Study Group

2.2.1.5 Ieee 802.3Bm

2.2.2 Itu-T

2.2.2.1 Approval

2.2.2.2 Cooperation

2.2.3 Oif

2.2.4 Additions

2.2.5 Interest Group

2.2.6 X40 Msa

2.2.7 Ssr-40 Working Group

2.2.8 10X10 Msa

2.2.9 Multi-Source Agreement For 40Gb/S And 100Gb/S Optical Transceivers

2.2.10 Msa – Coherent Fiber-Optic Receiver

2.3 Details: Technologies

2.3.1 40 Gb/S Transmission

2.3.1.1 Status

2.3.1.2 Modulation: Preliminary

2.3.1.3 40 Gb/S Transmission Specifics

2.3.2 100 Gb/S Transmission

2.3.2.1 Details

2.3.2.2 Dp Qpsk

2.3.2.3 100 Gb/S Transmission Specifics

2.3.3 Coherent Receiver

2.3.3.1 Receivers Types

2.3.3.2 Specifics

2.4 Benefits Of Standardization And Advanced Technologies

2.5 Beyond 100 Gb/S Communications

3.0 Industry

Alcatel-Lucent (Network Elements)

Altera (Ics)

Adva (Platform)

Applied Micro (Ics)

Avago (Modules)

Brocade (100 Gb/S Ne)

Broadcom (Ics)

Centellax (Modules)

Cisco (Nes)

Ciena (Switching And Wdm Platforms)

Clariphy (Chips)

Covega – Thorlabs Quantum Electronics (Modulators)

Cyoptics (Optical Chips)

Cortina (Processors)

Eci (Platforms)

Ekinops (Dwdm)

Ericsson (Wdm)

Extreme Networks (Ethernet Switches)

Enablence (Receivers)

Gigoptix (Ics)

Glimmerglass (Systems)

Gtran (Ics)

Huawei (Dwdm)

Finisar (Modules)

Furukawa (Lasers)

Fujikura (Modules)

Fujitsu (Roadm)

Inphi (Ics)

Infinera (Nes)

Jdsu (Modules And Ics)

Juniper (Router)

Kotura (Chips)

Mellanox (Modules)

Multiphy (Ics)

Mrv (Wdm)

Narda (Modulators Components)

Nec (Dwdm)

Neophotonics (Modules)

Netlogic (Modules)

Nokia Siemens Networks (Dwdm)

Oclaro (Ics)

Oki Semiconductor – Lapis Semiconductor (Ics)

Onpath (Optical Switch)

Opnext (Platform)

Picometrix (Optical Receivers)

Reflex Photonics (Modules)

Sembarc (Modules)

Semtech (Ics)

Sedu (Modules)

Sorrento Networks (Dwdm)

Triquint (Ics)

Tellabs (Platform)

U2T Photonics (Ics)

Vello Systems (Systems)

Versawave (Modulators)

Xilinx (Ics)

Xtera (Wdm)

4.0 Service Providers

At&T

C&W

Global Crossing (Acquired By Level 3 In 2011)

Level 3

Lightower Fiber

Ntt

Qwest (Centurylink)

Sprint

Sse Telecoms

Surfnet

Telstra

Telefonica

Teliasonera

Verizon

Xo

5.0. Market

5.1 Market Characteristics

5.2 Market Forecast

5.2.1 Model Assumptions

5.2.2 Analysis

6.0 Conclusions

List of Figures and Tables: 

Figure 1: Otn Frame Structure

Figure 2: 40 Gb/S Network Scenario

Figure 3: Illustration

Figure 4: Challenges

Figure 5: G.709 Network Scenario

Figure 6: 100 Gb/S Transmission Standardization

Figure 7: Major Optical Networking Segments (2011-2012)

Figure 8: Estimate – Global Sales Of 40 Gb/S Equipment

Figure 9: Estimate – Global Sales Of 100 Gb/S Equipment

Figure 10: Pm: Service Providers Revenue – 40 Gb/S Services – Global ($B)

Figure 11: Pm: Service Providers Revenue – 100 Gb/S Services – Global ($M)

Table 1: Ieee 802.3Ba Copper Interfaces

Table 2: Ieee802.3Ba Optical Interfaces

Table 3: Further Efforts

Table 4: Oif Activity

Table 5: 100 Gb/S – Itu And Ieee

Table 6: 100 Gb/S Design Requirements

Table 7: Otu Formats

Table 8: 40 Gb/S Equipment Distribution (Initial Market)