ECI debuts 1.2T dual channel blade for new age of adaptive optical networking

Delivers software-controllable, continuous modulation, maximizing capacity from underlying fiber optic network

PETACH TIKVA, Israel – December 12, 2018 – ECI®, a global provider of ELASTIC Network® solutions for service providers, critical infrastructures and data center operators, today announced the debut of the TM1200, a 1.2T blade (dual 600G channel) which allows for a truly programmable, adaptive optical network. The TM1200 delivers unmatched spectral efficiency and elasticity through software- controllable continuous modulation. Moreover, it maximizes capacity in a granular manner to best match client needs and variable channel conditions.

Traditionally, line-side modulation was only programmable in large increments – such as 100G, 200G or 400G – often relying on different line cards. The TM1200 uniquely delivers software-controlled continuous modulation in 50 Gbps increments up to 600 Gbps line rate, rather than supporting specific modulation schemes. Therefore, the optimal modulation scheme and transmission rate can be adjusted, and the sweet spot for maximizing line rates discovered, for any given optical route or set of channel conditions.

The programmable-adaptive optical network approach enables optimal returns on fiber CapEx investments by maximizing bandwidth capacity from the underlying fiber optic network. It can be applied to upgrade brownfield deployments with fixed 50G/100G ITU spacing, and also to optimize greenfield deployments that have a mix of fixed and flexible spectrum channel spacing. A few additional benefits include:

• Optimal return on fiber investment: By operating at the edge of the Shannon limit, the TM1200 squeezes the maximum capacity from each channel on a fiber, delaying the need to add new fiber and optical networking infrastructure.
• Enables a highly adaptive and flexible optical layer: Working in conjunction with ECI's colorless, directionless, contentionless, flexible spectrum ROADMs, and client services aware SDN control, the TM1200 can continuously optimize client traffic to fiber capacity.
• Dynamic restoration: Excess capacity can be allocated dynamically to fully or partially restore client services that are disrupted by fiber or equipment failures elsewhere in the network.
• Power efficiency: At a 600 Gbps line rate, the ECI TM1200 has a 10-fold improvement in power efficiency compared to other solutions, consuming less than 0.18W per Gbps, fully populated.

“Optical networks are evolving to be intelligent, agile and self-adjusting, and play an integral role in building the necessary infrastructure to handle the increased demand on global networks. Service providers are looking for networking solutions that can be acutely responsive to evolving customer demands and fluctuating business needs – beyond what they can predict,” said Jimmy Mizrahi, executive vice president, Global Portfolio at ECI. “The TM1200 is a cutting-edge system for the new age of networking, and represents ECI’s continued efforts to deliver optimal solutions for today and tomorrow.”

The TM1200 is compatible with all Apollo DWDM transport systems. To see more of the Apollo product line, visit https://www.ecitele.com/pots.