NEC America Announces Next Generation Photonic Networking Platform; Spectralwave 160 Features Industry-Leading 640-Channel Capacity - Product Announcement

Cambridge Telcom Report, June 5, 2000

NEC America, Inc. (NEC), a leading developer of advanced communication products, software and services for public and private networks, Tuesday announced NEC's next generation Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing system, SpectralWave 160.

The initial release of SpectralWave 160 will be commercially available in the fourth calendar quarter of 2000.

The initial release of the new high-capacity DWDM system will transport up to 160 OC-192 and OC-48 wavelengths in virtually any combination, providing maximum data transport capacity of 1.6 terabits per second (Tb/s). In 2001, NEC plans to enhance the system by making it capable of transporting up to eighty (80) 40 Gb/s channels, increasing the maximum transport capacity of the system to 3.2 terabits per second (Tb/s) -- the equivalent of transmitting 1600 feature length films each second.

In designing SpectralWave 160, NEC has also addressed the industry's desire for a small DWDM footprint. The system's dense open architecture uses a single Universal OPT shelf to support mixtures of 2.5, 10, and 40 Gb/s channels. The shelf can support interface for up to 20 wavelengths. The Universal OPT shelf's density and flexibility provide carriers with a single-rack solution for most initial deployments.

"Our customers are fairly clear in telling us what they need -- twice the capacity in half the space," said Al Naja, Product Marketing Manager, NEC America, Transport Products and Services Division. "SpectralWave 160 provides a small footprint, as well as a channel carrying capacity that leads the industry."

SpectralWave 160's record-breaking 640-channel capacity is achieved through NEC M4:1 multiplexer technology. The M4:1 feature multiplexes four OC-48 signals up to the OC-192 level for transmission on a single 10 Gb/s wavelength. In addition, the system will support inverse multiplexing of 10 Gb/s and 40 Gb/s channels for operation over spans with high-PMD fiber.

"The ability to carry large numbers of OC-192 channels has become an absolute requirement in today's market," said Naja, "but it is also important to remember that much of today's data traffic still flows at the OC-48 rate. SpectralWave 160, with its ability to carry four OC-48s on each available wavelength, provides an extremely efficient way of transporting very large numbers of OC-48 channels."

Leading the way in DWDM technology

Continuing breakthroughs in photonic networking research and development have powered NEC's success in the DWDM market. NEC's current 64-channel SpectralWave system has been widely and successfully deployed, and is now carrying live network traffic coast-to-coast. With SpectralWave 160, NEC now stands ready to take the lead in channel-count and data transport capacity.

"The capabilities, features and flexibility of SpectralWave 160 once again demonstrate NEC's state-of-the-art technology," said Dr. Milorad Cvijetic, Chief Technology Strategist, NEC America Public Networks Group. "NEC is leading the way by increasing the number of wavelengths operating on a single fiber to record levels, and by developing innovative features that allow carriers to use their fiber resources in the most efficient and cost effective manner."

NEC America develops, manufactures and markets a complete line of advanced communication products and software for public and private networks. NEC America's Public Networks Group provides SONET transmission systems, optical networking systems, network management systems, digital loop carrier products and ATM switching and routing products.

For more information contact NEC America's Public Networks Group at 800/433-2745 or visit their web site at www.necpng.com.