As Ciena (NYSE:CIEN) readies to incorporate its newly announced WaveLogic 5 coherent DSPs into its optical transport platforms, the company’s Optical Microsystems unit is prepping to bring the devices to market via alternative means. That includes internally developed pluggable optical transceivers.
Ciena Optical Microsystems has been managing the company’s external engagements with the previous WaveLogic AI (see, for example, “Ciena to license WaveLogic Ai coherent DSP to optical module vendors”), which have been incorporated into 5x7 coherent modules. With the upcoming availability of the 800-Gbps capable WaveLogic 5 Extreme and the more modest WaveLogic 5 Nano (for applications up to 400 Gbps), the business unit will offer the DSPs as standalone products as well as coherent pluggable modules that incorporate them. According to Helen Xenos, senior director, optical solutions marketing, the 400ZR presents a near-term opportunity of interest. Such modules should be available in the first half of next year, she predicted.
Prior to that, transceivers targeted at 100- and 200-Gbps applications via the WaveLogic 5 Nano should become available in the second half of this year. Xenos says the modules will be based on in-house designs that leverage the indium phosphide and silicon photonics capabilities Ciena acquired from TeraXion in 2016 (see “Ciena buys TeraXion's indium phosphide, silicon photonics assets”) as well as third-party technology where necessary. The company will use its contract manufacturers to produce the modules.
Infinera (NASDAQ:INFN) also has announced its intention to offer pluggable coherent modules based on its own DSP technology (see “Infinera offers Infinite Network pluggable coherent module strategy details”).
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