FADY MASOUD 800G COHERENT PLUGGABLES
Figure 2: Thin Transponder Applications
normally equipped in compact modular platform or an optical platform, where two or four of them can be equipped in a single rack unit. Thin transponders offer multiple client ports (100G, 200G, 400G or 800G) for grey optics to carry traffic from other platforms such as routers, and multiple line ports for high capacity coherent pluggables such as 400G ZR, 400G ZR+, 800G ZR or ZR+. Similar to IPoDWDM solutions, thin transponders offer lower CAPEX, lower power consumption and smaller footprint but without the operational challenges mentioned earlier. They also combine some of the advantages of embedded transponders such as multiple client- side aggregation, operational domain separation and some of the optical capabilities of fully fledged embedded transponders. Figure 1 summarizes the pros and cons of each deployment model. Thin Transponders also enable a technology lifecycle separation between the long-lasting refresh cycle of the photonic layer and the shorter cycle of the IP layer. This allows network CASE STUDY To quantify the benefits of thin transponders, a network analysis was performed on a full-filled (C-Band) 1,000 km long optical link where all three deployment options were compared side-by-side. Compared to embedded
operators to benefit from the latest generation of coherent pluggables, such as ICE-X 800G ZR/ZR+, in existing 400G routers. This leads to a maximized ROI and operational flexibility by avoiding the network-wide upgrade of all routers to the latest 800G-capable generation.
Furthermore, some thin transponders offer traffic aggregating functions to maximize throughput and avoid bandwidth waste. By leveraging a feature called “virtual bandwidth”, two 800GE client interfaces can be carried over four 400 Gb/s coherent wavelengths, or three 800GE client interfaces over four 600 Gb/s wavelengths. Figure 2 depicts two applications where thin transponders are used in an optical transport application and as a regeneration site for IPoDWDM applications.
USE CASES As noted, thin transponders
combine key attributes of embedded transponders and IPoDWDM, providing cost-effective, flexible, and highly reliable optical transport leveraging the latest generation of coherent pluggables. Thin transponders are the solution of choice when space and power are limited, and a low variety of client services is required. The thin transponder solution delivers a significant reduction in CAPEX and OPEX thanks to their compact footprint and low power consumption of coherent pluggables. Thin transponders can also enhance IP traffic reliability by leveraging the optical control plane and protection and restoration schemes of optical networks. transponders, thin transponders offer compelling reduction in CAPEX ($/G), power consumption (W/G) and footprint (RU). However, they offer slightly less (20%) less capacity per fiber as depicted in Figure 3. *Reflects different volumes and scale
CONCLUSION Thin transponders combine key
advantages and benefits of embedded transponders and IPoDWDM to provide deployment flexibility, while offering compelling economics through reduced CAPEX, power consumption, and footprint. 1: Fiber Broadband Association
Fady Masoud is a Senior Director for Solutions Marketing at Nokia focusing on next-generation Intelligent Coherent Pluggable optics (ICE-X) and cloud / data center interconnect solutions. His area of expertise is the architecture and requirements of next-generation optical networking infrastructure.
Figure 3: Quantifying the benefits of Thin Transponders
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