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XR Optics

PROVEN RESULTS
OPEN XR FORUM
INDUSTRY AWARDS

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.

Flexible-Subcarrier-Based-Suite-of-Pluggable-Optical-Solutions

Simplify Transport Networks

With coherent subcarrier aggregation (CSA) and the ability to efficiently optimize aggregation networks for point-to-multipoint traffic patterns

Reduce Capital, Space, and Power

Use a single high-speed transceiver to simultaneously send and receive independent data streams to/from numerous low-speed transceivers
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Eliminate Intermediate Aggregation

Eliminate costly optical-electrical-optical network elements (switches and routers) required to “up-speed” lower-speed traffic
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Seamlessly Upgrade Capacity

With programmable software control, seamlessly upgrade transmission speeds between hub and spoke locations as demands evolve

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.”

headshot of Andrew Lord
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.

Open-XR-Forum

Industry Awards

Light Reading Leading Lights award for Most Innovative Broadband Access solution

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.

DT Green Future award

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.

Optical Fiber and 2021 Lightwave Innovation Reviews logo
ECOC industry award for most innovative product Infinera XR optics

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.

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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.

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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.

point ot point optical network
XR Optics Solution Brief

Related Resources

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Press Release

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

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Application Note

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

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Solution Brief

Infinera’s ICE-X Portfolio of Intelligent Coherent Pluggables

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Application Note

ICE-X in 5G xHaul Transport Networks

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Press Release

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

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Press Release

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

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Technology Brief

Delivering a Transformative Network Architecture with XR Optics

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Solution Note

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

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Brochure

Intelligent Pluggables Manager

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Press Release

Infinera Completes Successful Trial of XR Optics with NBN Co

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White Paper

Pluggables, Embeddeds, and the Three Vectors of Coherent Evolution

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FAQ

Your Questions About XR Optics Answered

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