Verizon and Nokia (News - Alert) Siemens Networks set a new record for 100 gigabits per second (Gbps) optical transmission by successfully carrying out a field trial on a single wavelength for more than 1,040 kilometers over field fiber.

 

The new test, conducted on optical fiber on the Verizon (News - Alert) network in north Dallas, set a new distance record demonstrating better performance than conventional transmission. The field trial promises good prospects for transmitting commercial data at a speed of 100Gbps.           

 

The field trial also demonstrated that 100Gbps traffic can be simultaneously transported with any mix of 10Gbps and 40Gbps on a typical 80-channel ultra long haul dense wavelength division multiplexing (ULH DWDM) system. As a result, current network configurations can support capacity upgrades to 100Gbps per channel on existing routes over similar distances without modification to the physical network, providing quicker, cost-effective implementation.

Behind this achievement was Nokia Siemens (News - Alert) hiT 7500 ultra-long-haul, dense-wavelength-division-multiplexing platform – combined with multi-level modulation, polarization multiplexing and coherent detection – that allowed the signal to be carried over ultra-long distances at high-data rates with significantly better chromatic dispersion and polarization-mode-dispersion tolerances than conventional systems, according to the company.

 

The multi-level modulation technology used in the field trial enabled a high-level total system capacity of 8 terabits per second.

 

“As a leader in pursuit of 100 Gbps technology, Verizon's goal is to drive optical networking to deliver greater capacities over longer distances to enhance the high performance and high bandwidth of our network,” said Mark Wegleitner, Verizon senior vice president for technology. “Whether it's FiOS (News - Alert) delivering HD channels and video on- demand or business customers using database applications and online trading, we strive to provide the most advanced underlying network technology for our customers.”

Bernd Schumacher, head of Nokia Siemens Networks' (News - Alert) IP Transport Business Unit, said, “This is another groundbreaking milestone for Nokia Siemens Networks and Verizon's photonic networking expertise in shaping the development of a 100G commercial product. This field trial was a logical next step to demonstrate that our optical-transport technology adds value to our customers' core networks.”