May 24, 2006 Boston -- Optical switch supplier Polatis will showcase the use of its switches in carrier network applications next month at GlobalComm 2006. Attendees will be able to interact with switching demonstrations as part of a high-definition video network; a remote fiber test system for network monitoring and fault location; a network protection and restoration site; and product acceptance test facility.
"Renewed growth in fiber deployments, both in the access and core, are driving operators to consider the use of optical switches as part of improved fiber management strategies," contends Aaron Bent, Polatis vice president of marketing. "Optical switching can provide significant operational savings by provisioning fiber or wavelengths as part of a centralized management approach. The combination of new cost points, network-level reliability, and high performance has made optical switching a compelling solution to a wide range of network applications," he adds.
At GlobalComm 2006, Polatis will showcase its products, which have been deployed by some of the world's largest carriers, equipment manufacturers, and defense contractors for a variety of demanding applications, as part of demonstrations that range from initial product acceptance test to monitoring of in-service networks. These demonstrations include:
• Routing video in broadcast networks. Polatis will demonstrate optical switching of uncompressed high-definition (HD) video signals in an end-to-end SMPTE-292 HD network. The Trinity product is a family of optical video routing switches, specialized for customers in the video transport, broadcast, and post-production industries. The Trinity product delivers seamless integration with today's broadcast networks, immediately enabling cost-effective long distance transport and switching of HD traffic in the optical layer, say company representatives.
• Network monitoring and fault location. To illustrate the effectiveness of a switch as part of a fiber-layer management strategy, Polatis will demonstrate its HPA product in a scenario where it will be used to actively monitor and locate fiber faults and to allow restoration of services. Centralized strategies for monitoring, fault location, and restoration deliver reduced operational costs and improved mean time to repair (MTTR). According to Polatis, the HPA is the first switch of its kind: A fast-switching, non-blocking, asymmetric switch that allows dark-fiber monitoring.
• Network protection and restoration. Polatis will highlight the application of its products in the protection and restoration of network services in the event of equipment or path failure. The demonstration will illustrate a four-node system with the capability of detecting loss of signal and providing rapid switch over to pre-provisioned paths as part of a shared protection strategy. The demonstration highlights the fast, dark-fiber switch capabilities of the Polatis OST platform.
• Network products acceptance testing. Polatis will integrate switching with optical test equipment--as part of a "total test solution" demonstration--to illustrate the power of a switch to effectively automate tests in production and carrier lab environments. Switching can increase throughput in acceptance testing by enabling 24/7 cycling, while reducing errors and increasing equipment utilization. The recently launched Polatis VST product, a combined switch, integrated VOA and power meter, is ideal for labs that conduct system interoperability testing, new release testing, testing of management systems, and network architecture span design.
Polatis will conduct its demonstrations with the cooperation of JDSU and Thomson Grass Valley. The live product demonstrations will take place in the Polatis booth #56044, during exhibition hours Monday, June 5 through Wednesday, June 7.