EVENT FOCUS OFC 2023
OFCNET OFCnet, OFC’s live high- speed optical network, enabled booth-to-booth fibre connectivity for on- site optical demonstrations while also extending CENIC, the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California, to the OFC exhibition. Technology solutions provider, SmartCity, provided the on-site support in the San Diego Convention Centre for exhibitor connectivity. This connectivity is providing new opportunities for exhibitors who collaborate with affiliated academic institutions to highlight advancements and capabilities in a live real-time, fully operational network environment. In 2023, 19 organisations came together to support large-scale optical networking demonstrations. Nine companies contributed equipment to extend the reach of the demonstrations across multiple booths.
company is working to meet. Weeks gave a historical perspective on the business of technological revolutions and how that history might inform the near future in optical networking. EXHIBITS 515 companies from 70 countries, including several start-ups that made their debut, used OFC to unveil new products and innovations and reconnect with customers. “OFC is the place to get a first- hand look at the technologies and applications that will power the future of optical networking,” said Steve Alexander, CTO at Ciena, co-sponsor of OFCnet and chair of OFC Long Range Planning. “Many innovations are happening in coherent technology, software, and automation—including our WaveLogic 6, the industry’s first 1.6Tbps coherent optic solution—and the conference affords attendees the opportunity to get up close in person with the advances that are pushing the envelope in these areas.” “Product announcements and company launches were back in full force at this year’s event,” added Casellas, Cole and Li. “OFC has long been a showcase for entrepreneurs focused on transforming markets. It was great to see so many new companies introducing innovative technologies and leveraging OFC to speed their market adoption.” “We are seeing significant year-over- year growth in the PON equipment market, which approaches US$20bn in 2028,” said Julie Kunstler, chief analyst, Omdia. “Key PON ecosystem players, encompassing subcomponent, component and solution vendors, along with service providers, are here at OFC. PON innovation is around us, providing more bandwidth at lower-cost points, while ensuring backwards compatibility to earlier generations of this fibre and optics-efficient technology.” “OFC is the ideal conference for Xscape Photonics - it allows us to network with vendors, customers, and partners, while also attending state-of- the-art technical talks,” said Alex Gaeta, founder and CEO, Xscape Photonics.
INTEROPERABILITY DEMONSTRATIONS Four industry-leading
Crowds flock to OFC 2023.
the optical networking industry’s interoperability work gets done, and OFC is the key event to showcase that work. Attendees saw OIF projects like 400ZR, CEI, CMIS, and Co-packaging come to life through our multivendor interop demos. OFC continues to be the venue to debut advanced technologies in optical communications.” ONLINE ACCESS To meet the unique needs of a global audience, OFC 2023 was held in a hybrid format with in-person and virtual components. All technical program sessions and show floor programs will be available on-demand for later viewing. OFC 2024 will be taking place on 24th -28th March, at the San Diego Convention Centre.
organisations—COBO, Ethernet Alliance, OIF and Open ROADM— hosted technology discussions and live multi-vendor interoperability demonstrations of the latest optical networking advancements. Technology areas showcased include Co-Packaging architectures, Common Electrical I/O (CEI) architectures, Common Management Interface Specification (CMIS) implementations, as well as high-speed Ethernet connecting multiple booths via the OFCnet showcasing the 400GbE, Open ROADM MSA-compliant optical transport network with mesh topology and 400ZR. “OIF was thrilled to celebrate its 25th anniversary at OFC 2023,” said Dave Brown, Nokia and OIF director of communications. “OIF is where
OFC is the place to get a first-hand look at the technologies and applications that will power the future of optical networking Steve Alexander, CTO, Ciena
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ISSUE 33 | Q2 2023
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