Intel creates method to expand metropolitan network capacity

Fiber Optics Weekly Update, Sept 13, 2002

Intel introduced optical networking products that help reduce the cost and increase capacity of MANs, the Intel TXN13500 8-Channel Tunable DWDM Optical Transceiver and the Intel IXF30009 Optical Transport Processor. This solution uses tunable lasers to enable dense DWDM systems to divide light signals into multiple wavelengths or "channels" that each carry 10 Gigabits of data per second over a single strand of fiber. DWDM, the process of splitting light into multiple channels, enables telecommunications carriers and Internet service providers to extend the reach of existing networking equipment in MANs, saving the time and cost of installing additional fiber.

The TXN13500 transceiver and IXF30009 processor together provide OEMs with a complete DWDM line card solution that supports multiple data rates from 9.95 to 11.1 Gbps, enabling use in 10-Gigabit Ethernet networks, OC-192 SONET/SDH networks and Optical Transport Networks (OTN), the three primary optical networking protocols used in the telecom industry today. DWDM line cards are used to increase bandwidth capacity in add-drop multiplexers, DWDM terminals and metro and long-haul transport applications.

The Intel TXN13500 DWDM Optical Transceiver provides the complete physical layer and optics for eight tunable channels. It is designed for transmission over distances up to 80 kilometers without signal regeneration, minimizing equipment costs for servicing metropolitan and long haul areas. It is 300-pin multisource agreement (MSA) compatible. MSAs define electrical interfaces, physical characteristics, signaling schemes and other essential characteristics that enable companies to provide system OEMs with a reliable supply of standard products.

The Intel IXF30009 Optical Transport Processor is the most highly integrated device of its type, offering transparent aggregation of four OC-48 (2.5 Gbps) signals, and strong forward error correction (FEC) capabilities that increase the reach of optical networks. The aggregation of 2.5-Gbps into l0-Gbps client signals helps customers to extend the use of their existing 2.5-Gbps network infrastructure while smoothly migrating to 10-Gbps equipment. This is particularly important for today's heterogeneous networks operated by multiple carriers.