OFS demonstrates short-wave wavelength division multiplexing over wideband multimode fiber

At OFC, the fiber manufacturer’s LaserWave Flex wideband multimode fiber supported 100-Gbit/sec transmission over 300 meters of duplex fiber.

March 22, 2016

2 min read

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OFS demonstrated its LaserWave Flex Wideband Multimode Fiber in several setups using Finisar transceivers at OFC.

OFS, which designs, manufactures and supplies fiber-optic network products, highlighted its LaserWave Flex wideband multimode fiber at OFC. The company demonstrated short-wave wavelength division multiplexing (SWDM) technology, including 100-Gbit/sec transmission over 300 meters of duplex LaserWave Flex. The demonstration used Finisar 100-Gbit/sec QSFP28 SWDM4 transceivers. OFS also displayed 40-Gbit/sec transmission over 500 meters of wideband multimode fiber using Finisar 40-Gbit/sec QSFP+ SWDM4 transceivers, and over 300 meters using Cisco BiDi QSFP transceivers.

Dr. Durgesh Vaidya, director of global fiber and connectivity research and development for OFS, commented, “Our demonstrations this year showcase the latest advances in data center networking technology. Multimode fiber and VCSEL-based transceiver technology remain a low-cost solution for short-reach, high-speed datacom links. The commercial availability of SWDM transceivers and wideband fiber is the next step in continuing that cost advantage.”

SWDM technology is the most-recent advance in cost-effective networking, OFS asserted; the technology uses multiple wavelengths to transmit data over a single strand of multimode fiber. “By providing four high-bandwidth operating windows instead of the normal single window, LaserWave Flex Wideband Optical Fiber offers up to four times the transmission capacity of standard OM4 fiber,” OFS noted.

The company also pointed out that the Lightwave Innovation Reviews recently recognized LaserWave Flex WideBand Multimode Optical Fiber with a score of 4.5 out of 5 points. The reviews are presented annually by Lightwave; the program distinguishes products and solutions available within the optical networking industry. Lightwave is a sister media outlet of Cabling Installation & Maintenance.

OFS is a founding member of the SWDM Alliance, an industry group that promotes the use of SWDM technology for cost-efficient data center interconnections. The Alliance is made up of fiber/cabling suppliers, transceiver suppliers and systems providers.