Nortel lays claim to breakthrough in DWDM technology

Nortel claims it will shave the cost of running existing dense wave division multiplexed (DWDM) networks by 40 to 50 per cent with its capacity-boosting technology development.

When it arrives late next year, Optera 1600G will enable 160 colours or wavelengths to be carried along the light in each fibre, running at 10Gbps.

Existing DWDM technology carries a limit of 32 wavelengths per fibre.

Greg Mumford, general manager of Nortel's optical networks business, promised: "For the same fibre and the same number of electronics as today's DWDM, Optera can lower the cost for the same capacity."

Optera uses a new way of splitting the light in each fibre to carry more traffic, and to use a part of the fibre that is not currently used by today's DWDM. It will also put the wavelengths closer together.

The product will be available in modular form, beginning with 40 wavelengths for 400Gbps capacity. It will be tested in America with an unnamed telco, and Nortel said it also hopes to work with a European carrier.