Flexible rate optical transmission designed to enable market transition to flexible optical networks

As optical networks are moving from 100G to flexible transmission rates that move up to 600G to support hyper-connected architectures, new flexible multi-rate optical transmission devices and software are required. The company are supporting this critical transition with the demonstrated interoperability between their DIGI-G5 OTN processor and Acacia’s AC1200 Coherent Module. The goal of the companies’ collaboration is to facilitate the industry’s first flexible rate system architectures with an accepted ecosystem to support the market’s transition to 200G, 400G, 600G and flexible rate OTN networks built with new FlexE and OTUCn protocols. “DIGI-G5 allows our optical transport system partners to deliver terabit-class OTN switching line cards at 50% less power per port while enabling flexible rate ports and protocols up to 600G,” said Babak Samimi, vice president for Microchip’s Communications business unit. “Demonstrating interworking of the DIGI-G5 with Acacia’s AC1200 coherent module highlights that the ecosystem is ready to support the market transition to these new protocols, rates and multi-terabit architectures.” “In addition to high capacity and density, our AC1200 module introduces several key features designed to enable network operators to optimise capacity, reach and spectral efficiency —making flexible transmission solutions up to 600G a reality,” said Benny Mikkelsen, chief technology officer of Acacia Communications. “With Microchip’s DIGI-G5 scaling up capacity and reducing power at the same time, and the optical performance provided by our AC1200, we believe that Acacia and Microchip are helping to enable the market to scale network capacity with improved efficiency.”