KESTREL
SOLUTIONS DEVELOPS "OPTICAL FDM" FOR METRO NETWORKS
Kestrel Solutions, a start-up based in Mountain View, California
outlined its plans to combine frequency division multiplexing (FDM),
digital signal processors (DSPs) and optical modulation as a bandwidth
enhancer for metropolitan networks. The single-fiber, single-wavelength
solution delivers up to 10 Gbps with less than 20 GHz bandwidth space. It
could scale beyond 10 Gbps either through further Optical Modulation or in
combination with DWDM. Optical modulation is expected to be less expensive
than using multiple lasers. The Kestrel platform uses DSPs to perform
modulation, equalization and error correction per channel on multiple
incoming optical signals. The channels are then stacked in FDM frequencies
using off the shelf components. Optical modulation performs the
Electrical/Optical conversion using a single laser and photo-detector.
Optical FDM waveform undergoes full regeneration at each network node.
Since all channels are regenerated using a single E/O conversion,
pass-through and add/dropping can be accomplished cost effectively.
Kestrel said its protocol transparent solutionis less vulnerable to
low-quality fiber and that it works well over dispersion shifted fiber.
The company plans to release a FDM Optical Add/Drop multiplexer in the
first half of next year. Kestrel recently received $55 million in a third
round of venture funding. http://www.kestrelsolutions.com/
Kestrel Solutions, September 27, 1999
KYMATA
INTRODUCES ITS DWDM SILICON COMPONENTS
Kymata, a start-up based in Scotland, unveiled its solid-state,
planar optical integrated circuits for DWDM, including a 16-channel
arrayed waveguide grating and a variable optic attenuator. Kymata said its
ICs would radically simplify high channel count DWDM system designs,
compared with implementing multiplexing/demultiplexing functions using
conventional thin film filters or Bragg gratings. The solid-state
components could be used as building blocks for optical add/drop
multiplexers and cross-connects, and are expected to be much faster,
smaller and more reliable than current opto-mechanical solutions. Volume
production will begin at the end of 1999 when Kymata's own
silica-on-silicon planar fabrication line -- currently being commissioned
in Scotland -- goes live. Kymata negotiated the rights to use intellectual
property from the Universities of Glasgow and Southampton. The company
received venture funding from 3i Group plc. BT holds an equity stake in
the firm. http://www.kymata.com/
Kymata, September 27, 1999
NORTEL
AND ERICSSON AGREE ON FIBER AMP STANDARD FOR TERABIT NETS
Nortel Networks and Ericsson agreed to create a common footprint
and interface for both full conventional, C band WDM Erbium Doped
Fiber Amplifiers and extended or L band Fiber Amplifiers. The
companies said their new maxiblock standard for fiber amplifiers
would meet the skyrocketing demand for channel capacity of up to
160 wavelengths.
http://www.nortelnetworks.com/corporate/news/newsreleases/1999c/9_2
4_9999595_sg_ericsson.html
Nortel Networks, September 24, 1999
QEYTON
SYSTEMS DEMONSTRATES 1 MILLISECOND SWITCHOVER PROTECTION
Qeyton Systems, a start-up based in Sweden, announced optical
protection speeds of less than 1 millisecond switchover in the event of a
fiber break for its metro DWDM platform. The tests were performed using
Qeyton's QS200 DWDM platform and a dynamic synchronous transfer mode (DTM)
access multiplexer from fellow Swedish start-up Net Insight. Qeyton's
QS200 DWDM nodes were used in a 50 km circumference ring to carry a 1.25
Gbps DTM channel between two Nimbra 101 DTM Access Devices. The DTM
channel was protected in the optical layer with Qeyton's
channel-by-channel fiber protection option. The working fiber path was
then cut, and the switchover time determined from counting lost frames.
DTM provides a circuit-switched scheme using time and space division
multiplexing over a shared link, such as a ring or bus. DTM is a thin link
layer between fiber optics and IP. The protocol has the ability to reuse
bandwidth on free link segments, while supporting real-time guarantees
across the network for IP traffic. Qeyton Systems' metro DWDM platform
supports unamplified spans of up to 100 km, depending on the number of
nodes and wavelength channels (optical amplifiers could be added to
increase span distances).
http://www.qeyton.com/
Qeyton Systems, September 27, 1999
AIRPOWER
COMMUNICATIONS TESTS DYNARC'S DTM SWITCHES
Airpower Communications of Los Angeles will begin testing Dynarc's
Dynamic synchronous Transfer Mode (DTM) switches Airpower's broadband
wireless/fiber network is being designed with a 16 Gbps fiber backbone.
AirPower's wireless data services will use digital microwave technology.
Dynarc has previously announced a beta test of its circuit-oriented, DTM
architecture by Stokab, a major metropolitan fiber-optic operator in
Sweden. Dynarc is a start-up with offices in Kista, Sweden and Sunnyvale,
California. http://www.dynarc.com
http://www.air-power.net
Dynarc, September 27, 1999
AFC
INTRODUCES PACKET-AWARE SONET ADD-DROP MULTIPLEXER
Advanced Fibre Communications (AFC) will introduce several
products at this week's NFOEC show in Chicago, including a
packet-aware SONET add-drop multiplexer that supports TDM, packet,
and cell services in ring, linear add-drop, and terminal topologies.
AFC will also introduce enhancements to its flagship UMC1000 Digital Loop
Carrier for enabling ADSL deep into the local loop. http://www.afc.com
AFC, September 27, 1999
ALTEON WEBSYSTEMS
ROCKETS 294% IN IPO
Shares of Alteon WebSystems (NASDAQ: ATON) soared 294% in their first
day of public trading, closing at 74 15/16 on Friday. Alteon specializes
in Web data center products, including switches, server adapters and
software. The company recently added Layer-7 content-aware switching
capabilities to its Web switches, including Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
switching and high performance URL-based traffic redirection and load
balancing. Alteon's high profile customer list includes Yahoo!,
DLJdirect, WebTv, Frontier GlobalCenter, Exodus, TicketMaster, etc.
http://www.alteon.com/
ATM News Digest, September 24, 1999
CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT: NGN
99
The 13th annual Next Generation Networks Conference (NGN), which
many regard as the premier annual event in broadband networking, is
scheduled for November 1 - 5 in Washington, D.C. Major themes of this
year's conference will include the shift to optical communications, next
generation service providers, the migration to packet voice and the next
wave of network processors. Chaired by Dr. John McQuillan, this year's NGN
will feature over 130 notable speakers from all sectors of the networking
industry. Keynote speakers will include Gerald J. Butters, Group President
for Optical Networking at Lucent Technologies; James Crowe, President and
CEO of Level 3 Communications; and Tom Evslin, President and CEO of ITXC
Corporation. Full registration information is online. http://www.ngn99.com
