Finisar to demonstrate 40 Gbit/s Ethernet module using 4x10 Gbit/s CWDM technology at ECOC 2008

SUNNYVALE, CA — Finisar Corporation, a global technology leader in fiber optic solutions for high speed networks, today announced that it will demonstrate several new technologies at ECOC, including a 40 Gb/s Ethernet optical module over 10km of fiber and an 80km 10G SFP+ module for metro Ethernet applications. These demonstrations reflect Finisar's commitment and leadership to providing the most reliable and cost-effective optical components for high-speed, high-performance communication applications. Demonstrations will take place in Finisar's booth #379 at the European Conference and Exhibition on Optical Communication (ECOC) in Brussels, September 22–24, 2008.

A highlight of Finisar's participation at ECOC will be a demonstration of a 40 Gb/s optical module. The module internally couples four 10 Gb/s optical transmitters operating over different CWDM wavelengths into single-mode fiber (SMF). This module will be shown to operate error free over 10km of fiber. The industry is currently standardizing 40G Ethernet (40 GbE) under the IEEE 802.3ba Task Force, and this demonstration shows that a 40GBASE-LR4 10km link can be implemented rapidly and cost-effectively using existing off-the-shelf components.

"Finisar believes 4x10G CWDM technology provides the fastest time-to-market with the lowest risk for 10km 40G Ethernet," said Rafik Ward, senior director of marketing at Finisar. "4x10G CWDM also delivers the lowest short- and mid-term cost when compared with alternative approaches such as serial 40G. In addition, leveraging existing and future 10G components and technology investment will avoid the need for any new IC or optical component development."

Finisar is the first company to demonstrate 80km reach with a 10G SFP+ module, enabling greater port density and reaches for 10GBASE-ZR applications and making it possible for switches supporting the SFP+ form factor to reach beyond 40km for metro Ethernet applications. Finisar will demonstrate interoperability of its SFP+ modules with XFP modules over 80km of single mode fiber (SMF). The 80km SFP+ module features Finisar's patented built-in digital diagnostics and CML technology which offers low power dissipation.

In addition, Finisar will demonstrate a 4x10 Gb/s Parallel Active Optical Cable transmitting error-free parallel 10 Gb/s data over ribbon multimode fiber (MMF). Based on Finisar's industry-leading VCSEL array technology and designed with QSFP MSA high-density connectors, these new cables are compact, light weight, and low power. They are targeted for datacenter reaches up to 100m for QDR InfiniBand, 40GbE, and other datacom and high-performance computing applications.

Finisar will also display its latest optical transceivers, transponders, ROADMs, advanced optical components, and passive devices.

Finisar is a participant in the FTTx Centre at ECOC and will showcase its new GPON OLT and ONU modules, both in production. Finisar will also display its SFP form-factor OLT module supporting Class C+ GPON, available in the fourth calendar quarter of 2008.

Source: Finisar.