OIF tackles integrated photonics projects, publishes 100G IAs

The Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) continued to keep a number of project plates spinning at its quarterly meeting in Lisbon last month. The group announced it has begun initial work on technical specifications for high bandwidth optical modulators and receivers for coherent transmission applications. Members approved implementation agreements (IAs) for 100G applications, while several OIF technical committees met to continue work on the FlexEthernet and Common Electrical Interface (CEI) projects begun last year.

And members held initial discussions on an SDN-focused demo for 2016 in the wake of a successful demonstration with the Open Networking Foundation (ONF) in 2014 (see "OIF and ONF enjoy joint Transport SDN demonstration success").

OIF members decided to launch the High Bandwidth Polarization Multiplexed Quadrature Optical Modulator project because they believe coherent ASIC Baud Rate is no longer sufficient information to define the frequency response requirements for coherent electro-optical (EO) components now that the industry has embraced the use of preconditioning. The new project will seek to enable coherent electro-optical modulation of a wider optical spectrum per optical carrier defined in terms of frequency response.

Meanwhile, the Intradyne Coherent Receiver project proposes an improved RF high frequency response that enables coherent electro-optic demodulation of a wider optical spectrum per optical carrier.

The two newly approved IAs focus on 100-Gbps communications. The IA for Integrated Dual Polarization Micro-Intradyne Coherent Receivers targets coherent 100G PM-QPSK applications with nominal symbol rates up to 32 GBaud in a CFP2 form factor. It also defines a low-speed electrical interface incorporating an SPI bus for control of the TIAs in the coherent receiver.

The IA for Generation 2.0 100G Long-Haul DWDM Transmission Module-Electromechanical applies to optical line interface applications. It reduces the size and power consumption requirements by defining a 4×5 module that can be used for 100G long haul DWDM transmission applications.

"Our members are working at full capacity right now," says Karl Gass, of Qorvo and the OIF Physical and Link Layer Working Group vice chair, Optical. "With as many as 19 documents going to ballot this quarter alone, we are completing technical work at an extremely fast pace. These two new electro-optical component projects will fill a gap in the line side component space, providing systems engineers more tools to increase channel capacity beyond 100 Gbps."

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