EXFO launches 10+ Gigabit Multi-Rate Transceiver

22 October 2003 Quebec City, Canada Lightwave -- EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. has announced the launch of its 10+ Gigabit Multi-Rate EPX6100 Transceiver with deep channelization and mixed payload concatenations.

The EPX6100 Transceiver--a test module housed inside the scalable, multi-channel EPX platform--is a flexible and cost-effective tool for system manufacturers developing next-generation SONET/SDH systems for the more efficient use of bandwidth in metro and edge networks. The EPX6100 is part of a test solution aimed at carriers commissioning and turning up new services on multi-service switching platforms (MSSPs).The EPX6100 can function as a standalone test module or as part of a set of modules for more complex applications. Used on its own, the EPX6100 Transceiver tests the SONET frame section, line, and one path or channel of data. As part of a set of modules with four EPX6000 modules, the unit can process as many as 192 paths or channels of data simultaneously."The trend for metro networks is the integration of functions, like switching and cross-connecting, into single pieces of equipment," reports Jim Stevens, EXFO's vice-president of product management and chief technology officer--Protocol. "It is also the integration of different kinds of payloads into the SONET/SDH signal, such as Ethernet over SONET. These kinds of integration increase the complexity of multi-channel testing in all phases of the product lifecycle, from development through installation and maintenance. The EPX6100 Transceiver and the EPX platform provide an easy-to-use test solution for all these test needs," he adds.The EPX6100 supports hybrid payloads and independent configuration of the payloads to simulate live traffic. With the ability to generate and monitor all channels simultaneously, the 10+ Gigabit Multi-Rate Transceiver enables complete testing, such as bit-error-rate (BER), hybrid concatenation, and service-disruption switch time. The device also features deep channelization, which means that it can simultaneously generate and monitor all of the mapped payloads. Like the EPX6000, the EPX6100 Transceiver is field upgradeable and protects customers' investments in test equipment. The EPX6100 supports OC-192/STM-64 and is designed to support other protocols.