SEPTEMBER 25, 2008 -- ZTE Corp. (search for ZTE) recently unveiled what it claims is the world's first hybrid TDM/WDM-PON prototype based on all-optical wavelength conversion. The technology was launched at the Full Service Access Network (FSAN) quarterly meeting in Shanghai on September 10, 2008.
ZTE says it is the first prototype device of its kind to support both TDM and WDM technologies and is based on all-optical wavelength conversion to overcome the common optical access network hurdles of longer reach, higher bandwidth, and a colorless optical network unit (ONU). ZTE's Hybrid TDM/WDM PON prototype is also fully compatible with existing PON deployments, says the company, which preserves the investment operators made in current generation PON while rolling out WDM and significantly reduces carriers' operational costs.
"Passive optical networking is establishing itself as an important broadband access technology, due to its passive components, easy network maintenance, and protocol transparency," explains Xu Ming, vice president of ZTE and general manager of the fixed-line network product. "Next-generation PON solves the issues associated with BPON, EPON, and GPON such as transmission distance, splitting ratio, and uplink bandwidth. ZTE's breakthrough in all optical wavelength conversion technology provides the foundation for the development and evolution of next-generation PON technology."
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