Nortel launches dual 40/100Gbit/s optical network kit

Nortel has detailed its new optical networking hardware

Nortel has announced optical networking hardware, which it says is the first example of communications equipment capable of delivering both 40Gbit/s and 100Gbit/s data transfer from the same system.

Nortel has called the system, the 40G/100G Adaptive Optical Engine (AOE), and says that service providers can move data at 40Gbit/s over their existing 10GbE optical fibre networks through the use of simple plug-and-play technology components.

Nortel's AOE uses Dual Polarisation Quadrature Phase Shift Keying modulation with coherent detection, and some advanced digital signal processing to achieve 40Gbit/s data transfer speeds operation over 10Gbit/s optical fibre networks.

Touting bandwidth heavy applications like high definition TV and internet video as being a driver for data transfer speeds well in excess of 10Gbit/s, Nortel's president for Metro Ethernet networks Philippe Morin said, “We are seeing significant demands for bandwidth as a result of business-to-business VPNs and the conversion from analog to high-definition video delivery over the desktop. In addition, every operator’s plan is to deliver new revenue-generating services such as IPTV."