MRV adds modules for LambdaDriver platform

OCTOBER 8, 2007 -- MRV Communications Inc. (search for MRV) has announced three new modules for its LambdaDriver WDM platform. They include the TM-GM8D and TM-GM8CD, two eight-port Gigabit Ethernet muxponder modules, and a two-degree reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer (ROADM) module.

The TM-GM8D optical module uses eight SFPs for network access, while the TM-GM8CD copper module uses RJ-45 connectors for network access. The aggregation port on both modules is 10-Gigabit DWDM with wavelength tunability and several options for increased distances. Both hot-swappable modules are designed to maximize the efficiency of a WDM platform by providing cost-effective fiber or copper connectivity. In comparison with switched aggregation approaches, the LambdaDriver muxponder modules can offer a separate channel for a customer's data, providing an added layer of data security for sensitive government, financial, and other applications, MRV says.

"While Gigabit Ethernet access networks are gaining in popularity with carriers, there is no one typical deployment scenario. Thus, we are expanding the capabilities of the LambdaDriver with these new modules to provide carriers with a very cost-efficient Ethernet backbone for either copper or fiber," said Noam Lotan, CEO of MRV Communications. "Both modules offer the same ability to use advanced TDM to aggregate eight Gigabit Ethernet ports, thereby maximizing utilization of the cable plant and minimizing cost of implementation."

The modules are designed to fully support link integrity notification (LIN) to disable access ports when the trunk port is not receiving information. When combined with the LambdaDriver element management module, full power monitoring and configuration capabilities become available locally at a craft terminal via the RS-232 interface and remotely at a TELNET or SNMP station via an Ethernet or Fast Ethernet interface.

Each module comes in fixed versions with DWDM links for distances of up to 40 and 80 km and in a tunable version capable of up to 80 km. Longer distances can be reached using optical amplifiers and dispersion compensation modules.

Meanwhile, The EM1600-ROADM40 ROADM module supports a total of 40 C-Band DWDM wavelengths with 100-GHz spacing, with the ability to drop wavelengths at each node. Each module features 40 "colored" add ports, configurable through the existing LambdaDriver management system, which makes it possible to choose which wavelengths are added from local ports or, alternatively, passed through from express ports. All 40 wavelengths are monitored for power level, and every wavelength can be attenuated allowing automatic wavelength equalization at every node in the network.

The new module features low-loss DWDM drop functionality based on arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) devices. Each of the 40 supported channels is fully independent of the others and can carry data at the same rate as a dedicated physical fiber.

"The functionality of our new ROADM module allows customers to use the LambdaDriver to build fully tunable DWDM networks that are remotely manageable and that utilize full C-band transponders," said Lotan.

The module enables four separate and distinct functions on each channel: add, for inserting data on to the ROADM network from local access equipment; drop, which enables the channel to carry data received from remote access equipment to local access equipment; pass, which enables the channel to carry data received from remote access equipment to another LambdaDriver system; and darken, which blocks the channel from carrying data from local or remote access equipment to another LambdaDriver.

Each EM1600-ROADM40 module occupies two slots in a LambdaDriver chassis and features power levels of signals on each of the 40 channels that can be monitored and attenuated by any value between 0 and 25 dB. In addition, the power level of signals in any group of channels can be equalized to maximize the operating efficiency of optical amplifiers in the network. All add/drop ports use MPO connectors (10 channels per connector), and all trunk ports use LC connectors.

All three modules are currently available.

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