Fujitsu, HFR Networks partner further for 5G Smart xHaul
Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc. and HFR Networks, Inc. say they have furthered their longtime collaboration with enhanced Smart xHaul offerings for 5G network transport requirements. The companies now provide what they call “innovative optics” for the M6424 time sensitive networking (TSN) aggregation and transport switch and the new M6208E TSN switch for hardened environments.
The enhanced M6424, which has been deployed by a Tier 1 operator, now offers up to 400G transport capacity with the companion xWave 400G optical transport platform. The platform enables the 400G TSN with precision time protocol (PTP) capacity over a single fiber in 100G increments. The approach results in an 8:1 fiber savings and a pay-as-you-grow option, say the companies.
The M6424 switch itself features 10/25-Gbps Smart Tunable Optics (see "Fujitsu, HFR Networks pair to offer 25G, 10G auto-tunable transceivers for 5G transport") and offers a “semi-active” transport capability where cell site power and space challenges exist, the companies add. The M6424 utilizes its management software to access the smart self-tuning optics for automated turnup and remote visibility at passive cell sites. In this way, the optics can be disaggregated from the transport system and plugged directly into the radios, which solves potential challenges related to power, aesthetics, and space, the collaborators explain.
Meanwhile, the new M6208E provides scalable, high-capacity TSN switching in a hardened enclosure for small-footprint outside plant wall or pole mounting. The M6208E reduces fiber requirements by supporting service blending across legacy 3G or 4G LTE CPRI infrastructure at remote radio heads with 5G enhanced CPRI traffic and Ethernet services on a common RAN.
“As service providers face the complexities of building out ubiquitous 5G coverage, they need operational flexibility with greater efficiency and performance. Leveraging TSN and innovative optics optimized for xHaul enables significant cost savings, business agility and faster time to market,” said Paul Havala, vice president of technology business unit, Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc. “The combination of Fujitsu’s integration services and HFR Networks' standards-compliant technology empowers versatile Smart xHaul solutions with centralized management across multiple RAN types to support a wide variety of 5G transport use cases.”
“HFR Networks continues to listen to customers as we expand our flexiHaul solutions portfolio,” added Paul Crann, CEO at HFR Networks. “These enhanced switching solutions help operators to accelerate 5G coverage to more locations, including sites that require rugged, passive or compact solutions with the ability to converge multiple services onto common infrastructure.”
As an HFR Networks’ partner, Fujitsu offers the M6424, xWave 400G and M6208E switching solutions as part of its Smart xHaul transport portfolio. The company also offers network integration and management services.
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About the Author
Stephen Hardy
Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
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