Pandatel's modular CWDM system transmits up to 20 Gbits/sec over single fiber pair

May 5, 2004 Hamburg, Germany -- As an alternative to costly DWDM systems, optical CWDM multiplexers provide end users with access to more economical fiber-optic multiplexing technology. Pandatel AG recently unveiled its FOMUX 4000 family of CWDM multiplexers, which provide exceptional versatility and efficient inband management, say company representatives.

The FOMUX 4400 is capable of transmitting up to three optical channels, each with 2.5 Gbits/sec, via a single pair of fibers. The FOMUX 4600 offers users as many as eight channels for the transmission of up to 64 applications. The 4600 also supports throughput rates of up to 2.5 Gbits/sec per channel, for a total of up to 20 Gbits/sec.

The FOMUX 4400 entry-level model can be used by enterprises to increase the bandwidth of their fiber-optic networks without the investment risk normally associated with the installation of new cable routes.

The more powerful FOMUX 4600 system is suitable for real-time broadband data traffic over a maximum data transmission distance of 70 km for applications like storage area networking and video data transfer between TV studios. The straightforward, cost-effective transfer of large volumes of data between companies, branches, and computer centers by way of fiber-optic networks is likewise possible, says the company.

Both units feature inband management; the management data for the control of the rack and cards is transmitted via the fiber-optic cable along with the user data. In other words, no additional wavelength has to be used.

Thanks to the modular system design and the wide range of components, the FOMUX 4000 series is a very secure investment, say company representatives. By selecting the appropriate channel or multiplex cards, users can optimize the system to suit their individual requirements.

The systems in the FOMUX 4000 family comprise the following components:

• One FYR-C CWDM module card, which is the centerpiece of the system; it is here that the three (FOMUX 4400) or eight (FOMUX 4600) CWDM wavelengths are multiplexed into a single optical signal.

• Up to three (FOMUX 4400) or eight (FOMUX 4600) FX-H channel cards, which are each capable of handling data rates from 10 Mbits/sec to 2.5 Gbit/sec. The channel cards are "hot swappable", i.e. they can be interchanged and serviced individually during actual operation of the system.

• The TDM multiplexer CMX-CE4U (FOMUX 4600) or CMX-xE4U (FOMUX 4400) multiplexes up to four ESCON signals, each 200 Mbits/sec, to a 1.0625-Gbit/sec Fiber Channel data stream. If two CMX-xE4Us are interconnected, up to eight ESCON signals can be transmitted over a single CWDM wavelength.

• The TDM multiplexer CMX-CG2U (FOMUX 4600) or CMX-G2U (FOMUX 4400) multiplexes two 1-Gbit/sec signals (Fiber Channel and/or Gigabit Ethernet) to an OC48/STM16 signal (2.488 Gbits/sec).

• The FOMUX systems are administered and controlled by a management mastercard (SC-MO). This mastercard is connected via a VT100 terminal, via the direct Ethernet/dial-in access (SLIP/PPP R-S) or by means of the simple network management protocol (SNMP). The SC-MO card can also be combined with a management subcard (SC-SO) in order to cascade as many as eight racks at a single location.

This year, Pandatel will also be launching a channel card, which can process data rates from 50 Mbits/sec to 2.5 Gbits/sec.

The FOMUX 4000 multiplexers support all data rates from 10 Mbits/sec (Ethernet) to 2.5 Gbits/sec. They operate on a protocol-transparent basis, with the result that each signal can be multiplexed, whether it's Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Double Gigabit Ethernet, ESCON, Fiber Channel or STM-16.

The systems can also be equipped with an optical backup switch, which changes over to a standby connection in less than 25 msec if the primary connection is interrupted; this facility ensures a high level of safety and security.