Optisphere Networks Inc., a subsidiary of Siemens Information and Communication Networks Inc., announced its participation in the Optical Internetworking Forum's (OIF) interoperability test at the OIF's Supercomm 2001 demonstration June 5-7 in Atlanta.
Optisphere successfully demonstrated the interoperability of its Optical Cross Connect (OXC) system with the OIF standard -- one of the most applicable international standards for this interface. The results are important because they indicate that carriers will be able to perform point-and-click provisioning of services in their optical network, which means a reduction in the time required to accomplish provisioning.
The interoperability testing was based on the OIF UNI (User Network Interface) 1.0 protocol, which allows client devices to use optical network resources and to establish clear optical circuit connections. It was the first multi-vendor, multi-technology test and the first true example of optical internetworking.
At OIF's demo, Optisphere will demonstrate its OXC system, which ties DWDM point-to-point links to an optical network. The OXC system uses optical mirrors based on the micro-electrical-mechanical systems (MEMS) silicon technology to carry out switching functions in a 128 x 128 matrix.
As part of this optical node concept, Optisphere complements its OXC system with its managed optical distribution frame (MODIF). MODIF combines the functionality of a traditional fiber distribution panel with the intelligence of a network management system to help solve a common problem of "patch panel chaos." The management system can reduce the chance for error and enables a carrier to turn up new circuits faster, dynamically track network modifications and trouble-shoot circuit outages. MODIF manages optical cross-connections for up to 1,944 bi-directional optical points without blocking, and offers the ability to migrate to a MEMS-based OXC system.
Optisphere also completed a field trial with WorldCom that transmitted 3.2 Tbit/s over a single installed WorldCom network fiber using Optisphere's 80-channel, 40 Gbit/s system.
About Optisphere and Siemens:
Optisphere Networks Inc., a subsidiary of Siemens Information and Communication Networks Inc., develops and markets innovative systems for the global optical networks market. Optisphere provides optical terabit solutions for IP-optimized transport, routing and channel aggregation functions. For more information, visit www.optisphere.com.