Tellabs Moves DWDM/ROADM to Edge With 7100 Nano

To facilitate video traffic, Tellabs is moving ROADM technology to the edge of the network with its new 7100 Nano Optical Transport System, which is designed to aggregate gigEs for OLT or DSLAM backhaul.

As its name implies, the Nano is a small form factor (5 ru) version of its 7100 DWDM node that also includes an option for a two-degree ROADM in a separate shelf. Available fourth quarter, the Nano can be used in smaller networks or to optimize cost structures in larger ones. In addition to a lower price tag than the 7100, the Nano’s compact size can reduce leasing costs in central offices and data centers, where space for one equipment bay can cost hundreds of dollars a month.

Thomas T. Rarick, Tellabs’ senior principal engineer, said the Nano provides a subset of the bandwidth of the larger 7100 and includes “innovations” in the ROADM, including liquid crystal on silicon technology for cost improvements and integration of amplifiers and optical multiplexers into a single module.

The Nano would be used in edge nodes where a service provider might have previously put a SONET ADM, Rarick said, adding pricewise, the system compares to two SONET ADMs.

The Nano also includes SONET ADM on a blade, so that it can replace that gear as well. A universal card architecture allows service providers to customize cards and change them as their traffic changes. Later this year, Rarick said Tellabs will add an Ethernet card aggregating gigEs into a 10gig uplink.

The Nano is 40G-ready, and Rarick said once they become available, 40G transponders will plug into the system. Rarick would not offer a timetable but said 40G transponders were in development. The 40G capacity is being driven primarily by router interconnects.


Tellabs’ Thomas Rarick shown above with the Nano and below with its big brother,  the 7100.

Tellabs www.tellabs.com

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