MAY 23, 2007 -- Harmonic Inc. (search for Harmonic) today expanded its family of PWRLink transmitters with the introduction of CWDM-based 1310-nm forward path transmitters that enhance cable operators' ability to deliver more bandwidth to the home, say company representatives. The new PWRLink transmitters make it possible to increase available bandwidth without adding new fiber by combining multiple wavelengths to deliver traffic to the node. Cable operators deploying these new transmitters can increase revenues by expanding capacity for value-added services, while minimizing capital expenditures, claims Harmonic.
Applications such as high definition (HD) television, video-on-demand (VOD), high-speed Internet, and gaming have created a dramatic increase in demand for bandwidth. Deploying additional fiber closer to the home is one way to increase capacity but is normally very costly and not always a feasible option. Harmonic's use of CWDM (search for CWDM) technology in its new transmitters offers an alternative by providing two or more wavelengths in the 1310-nm frequency band that can be combined onto a single fiber for forward transmission and then separated at the node to be demultiplexed and processed by different receivers. Thus, without any change in the fiber links or node locations, capacity can be greatly expanded, claims the company.
"Cable operators have needed to expand bandwidth over the years as channel counts grew, but today the requirements are escalating as never before due to the highly bandwidth-intensive services that continue to grow in popularity," explains Sunil Frida, director of HFC solutions for Harmonic Inc. "HD, VOD, and high-speed data in particular are driving the need for more forward capacity. Harmonic addresses the bandwidth crunch in a number of ways, with solutions including ultra-efficient compression, switched digital video, and network segmentation. The new PWRLink CWDM transmitters help to optimize bandwidth by using multiple fiber wavelengths to transport more traffic to the node," Frida says. "With these systems, cable operators now have a highly cost-effective, scalable, and easy-to-implement solution that saves on fiber usage and also provides more flexibility by enabling different wavelengths to carry different types of traffic or content according to the operator's specific requirements."
The new PWRLink CWDM transmitters are part of Harmonic's family of 1310- and 1550-nm optical transport products, which enable cable operators to deliver the latest generation of broadband video, voice, and data services. Harmonic's range of flexible fiber-based transmission equipment also includes analog/digital return path, CWDM-based commercial services, and scalable DWDM digital transport systems.
Harmonic will demonstrate the new PWRLink transmitters at booth #G8 of the ANGA Cable 2007 exhibition in Cologne, Germany, from May 22-24, and booth #373 of the SCTE Cable-Tec Expo in Orlando, Florida, from June 20-22.
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