Nistica Introduces Edge Optical Switching Platform
Nistica has come out with a new edge optical switching platform that provides flexible spectral control, power management, and wavelength switching.
It also does Dynamic Gain Equalization of optical amplifiers, Optical Channel Monitoring, and Wavelength Selective Switching. These functions can be controlled in a grid-flexible manner for optimal spectrum use in software-defined networks, the company says.
The Bernoulli platform is based on Texas Instruments’ DLP technology. And it can be customized in firmware and optical configuration to address various applications. Nistica will initially release 1RU solutions that address in line amplifier applications.
“The move toward disaggregation has led to an added layer of demands on wavelength management products,” says Nistica CEO Ashish Vengsarkar. “We have created compact multi-function units which meet the price-performance needs of open line systems. While data center interconnect is the first use case, we expect a significant demand in wireless front-haul networks as 5G deployments take off in the next few years.”
Cignal AI analyst Andrew Schmitt added: “The demands of 5G wireless services require high-capacity wavelengths at the edge of the network and will require operators to refresh existing front-haul infrastructure. Network operators will use this opportunity to install systems and platforms that allow them to manage and monitor these wavelengths. Nistica’s Bernoulli platform is uniquely suited to address the challenging power management and protection requirements in these applications.”
Nistica was at OFC this week talking about the new solutions. In other OFC news this week, both Ciena and Fujitsu unveiled new optical offerings.
Ciena introduced the 6500 Reconfigurable Line System and the 8180 Coherent Networking Platform. The 6500 RLS is a modular, open, and programmable solution designed for metro and long-haul data center interconnect and cable access applications. The 8180 delivers packet aggregation and integrated coherent optics in a compact, stackable form factor.
Fujitsu Network Communications Inc. has come out with new 1FINITY T500 and T600 series bandwidth-variable transport blades. These optical transponders were designed for use by global network service providers and data center operators. They enable high-level performance for such applications as data center interconnect, metro, long-haul and subsea transport.
Edited by Mandi Nowitz
