
XR Optics
Game-changing Innovation for Next-generation Networks
XR optics is a revolutionary technology purpose-built to break the inherent limitations of traditional point-to-point optical transmission solutions. XR optics paves the way for disruptive network economics as 5G, fiber deep, and hyperscale cloud connectivity impose new challenges on operators. With game-changing innovation in coherent optical subcarrier aggregation, XR optics introduces a new pluggable and software-enabled architecture designed to radically reduce the cost of deploying and operating optical networks. XR optics enhances deployment flexibility as the same coherent pluggable can be software-configured to operate in point-to-point or point-to-multipoint configurations.
XR optics is an open technology initiative with the support of network operators, equipment manufacturers, and subsystem manufacturers.


Simplify Transport Networks

Reduce Capital, Space, and Power

Eliminate Intermediate Aggregation

Seamlessly Upgrade Capacity
Mind Blowing
“We conducted a feasibility study of XR optics on our metro network and the results were pretty mind blowing not only from a straightforward CapEx investment but the flexible and dynamic way of managing and provisioning capacity.”

Andrew Lord
Head of Optical Networks Research at Applied Research, BT
Mapping the Future of XR Optics Technology
The Open XR Forum fosters collaboration between its members to facilitate XR optics’ adoption and accelerate its deployment through interoperability, open management interfaces, and a supply chain ecosystem.

Industry Awards

Most Innovative Broadband Access Solution
Infinera won the 2023 Light Reading Leading Lights Award for Most Innovative Broadband Access Solution for ICE-X high-speed business services over existing PON infrastructure. This award is given to the company that has launched the most innovative product or service to deliver high-speed broadband access via fixed wireless, satellite, fiber or cable. As one judge noted, this offering “allows operators to deliver true business-class speeds and SLAs using existing PON networks but with an overlay of coherent optics.”
DT Green Future Best Practice Awards 2022
XR optics technology won Deutsche Telekom's Award for “Contribution to Reduce DT Energy Consumption.” Infinera’s submission included a complete application package with a detailed analysis on how XR optics can reduce power consumption by 76% and footprint by 59%, and save hundreds of tons of CO2 emissions, for a single metro network when compared to alternative solutions.


Best New Gamechanger or Innovation
XR optics, the industry-first point-to-multipoint optical solution, won Best New Gamechanger or Innovation at the NGON & DCI World Awards. This award recognizes a product, solution, or application tried and tested for being groundbreaking in the industry.
Lightwave Innovation Reviews
XR optics has been honored by Lightwave as part of the 2021 Innovation Reviews. With a distinguished score of 4.5 out of 5 from an independent industry panel, XR optics stood out in the Optical Transport Systems category, reinforcing our industry leadership and track record of best-in-class innovation.


Most Innovative Product of 2020!
XR optics has won Most Innovative Product at the 2020 ECOC Exhibition Industry Awards! These awards emphasize technology and product commercialization; they highlight significant achievements in advancing the business of optical communications, transport, networking, fiber-based products, photonic integrated circuits, and related developments.
Solving a Fundamental Problem
Since the inception of optical networking, there has been a significant misalignment between actual traffic patterns at the network edge and the technology used to transport that traffic. Network traffic patterns at the edge of the network are overwhelmingly hub and spoke – i.e., numerous endpoints generate traffic that is aggregated by a small number of hub locations. In contrast, optical connectivity solutions have been implemented using strictly point-to-point technology. The result is an extremely inefficient transport architecture that requires large numbers of bookended transceivers, as well as numerous intermediate aggregation devices to up-speed traffic flows.

With Innovation in Coherent Subcarrier Aggregation
In addition to efficiently supporting point-to-point applications, XR optics provides the industry’s first scalable solution optimized for point-to-multipoint traffic flows. Built upon innovation in Nyquist subcarriers, XR optics enables a single transceiver to generate numerous lower-speed subcarriers that can be independently steered to different destinations. By supporting both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint configurations on the same coherent pluggable, XR optics enables network operators to enhance deployment flexibility and reduce sparing costs.

Providing Significant Savings for Network Operators
With XR optics, network operators will be positioned to dramatically reduce the number of transceivers in the network, eliminate the need for costly intermediate aggregation devices, and more efficiently optimize optical transport infrastructure for hub-and-spoke end-user traffic flows, resulting in TCO savings of 70% or more.
Infinera’s suite of vertically integrated ICE-X pluggables leverages XR optics technology to offer network operators the performance, scale, and efficiency critical to delivering differentiated 5G, enhanced broadband, and next-generation cloud and business services.


Solution Brief
Overview of XR Optics
XR optics introduces a paradigm-shifting ability to enable more cost-efficient optical point-to-multipoint networks, which can dramatically lower the cost and complexity of access, metro, and even core networks.
Related Resources

Press Release
Open XR Forum Expands Membership with Juniper Networks, Sumitomo Electric and Arrcus

Application Note
ICE-X Point-to-Multipoint Optics in Infinera Metro DWDM Networks

Solution Brief
Infinera’s ICE-X Portfolio of Intelligent Coherent Pluggables

Application Note
ICE-X in 5G xHaul Transport Networks

Press Release
Open XR Forum Launches with Tier 1 North American and European Service Providers

Press Release
Infinera Introduces New Suite of XR Optics-powered Coherent Pluggable Solutions

Technology Brief
Delivering a Transformative Network Architecture with XR Optics

Solution Note
XR Optics - Innovative Point-to-Multipoint Coherent that Slashes Aggregation Network TCO

Brochure
Intelligent Pluggables Manager

Press Release
Infinera Completes Successful Trial of XR Optics with NBN Co

White Paper
Pluggables, Embeddeds, and the Three Vectors of Coherent Evolution

FAQ
Your Questions About XR Optics Answered
Experience Infinera
Learn how the innovation and intelligence of Infinera networks can provide amazing experiences for your customers and your business.