Infinera Technology

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With network traffic continuing to expand at exponential rates, the world is entering the Terabit Age. New applications and the growing popularity of digital communications worldwide are placing increasing challenges on the world's networks. Network operators must be able to build and deploy these Terabit-class networks, and soon. As the leader in high-capacity Digital Optical Networks, Infinera is well on the way to rolling out the technology that will enable network operators to make a smooth, successful transition into the Terabit Age.

From Super-Channels to FlexChannels

Gridless, phase-based transmission with coherent detection will form the basis of high capacity, Terabit class systems of the future. But a single combination of super-channel data rate and modulation technique is unlikely to satisfy every optical transmission link budget. For this reason Infinera has combined our unique, FlexCoherent™ modulation technology with the ability to flexibly adapt super-channel spacing to maximize the combination of optical capacity and reach. The result is a dynamic, FlexChannel – implemented in a single module that can be switched into the appropriate mode of operation. By implementing this in a single Field Replaceable Unit (FRU) we also simplify the design complexity and spares management processes for the service provider.

What is the best way to implement a super-channel architecture?

Infinera's approach is to use a large-scale PIC that supports multiple carriers to implement a Terabit FlexChannel, using anywhere from five to ten carriers on a single, monolithic chip. These FlexChannels can be built using a FlexCoherent modulation technique to optimize the reach versus the spectral efficiency for a given FlexChannel, over a given route. Note that the FlexChannel architecture does not require that all channels on an individual PIC belong to the same super-channel. The number of channels, the data rate for each channel, and the modulation technique used are all flexible. The FlexChannel architecture also delivers savings in spectral efficiency of up to 25%, opening the way for up to 25 Tb/s of total capacity on a fiber (see Fig. 1).

Large-scale PIC technology has already revolutionized the 10G wavelength market. Infinera rose from a new market entrant to become the number one player in the North American long-haul DWDM market in only 18 months as service providers recognized the benefits of a Digital Optical Network based on a flexible pool of PIC-enabled bandwidth.

As the Internet continues to place heavy demands on service provider transport networks, the Dawn of the Terabit age is upon us. An age in which capacity cannot be added one transponder at a time, or using fixed modulation techniques. Capacity has to be added “in bulk”, but must deliver the flexibility and cost effectiveness enabled by the next generation of photonic integration.

Figure 1: Terabit FlexChannel delivers a 25% improvement in spectral efficiency.