Oct 18 2012
ZTE Corporation, a leading global provider of telecommunication equipment, network solutions and mobile devices, has unveiled the world’s first time and wavelength division multiplex passive optical network (TWDM-PON) prototype at Broadband World Forum 2012 (BBWF) in Amsterdam.
ZTE also demonstrated a solution for building pay-as-you-grow, flexibly evolving, green broadband networks involving GPON, XG-PON1, NG-PON2 and WDM-PtP by TWDM technology. Meanwhile ZTE considers it will be a good idea to deploy the FTTx network with GPON and XGPON1 in the next 5 years. Overlay other wavelengths by TWDM technology will be a good choice for the higher bandwidth requirement in the future.
In April 2012, the Full Service Access Network (FSAN) Group designated TWDM-PON as the main technology direction of NG-PON2, the next generation of PON (passive optical network) technology. Drawing on its deep understanding of network development and customer needs, as well as its extensive experience in technology innovation, ZTE developed its first TWDM-PON prototype soon after the standards direction was determined.
The central-office equipment for the TWDM-PON prototype is the ZXA10 C300, ZTE’s industry-leading unified access platform, adapted for next-generation PONs. The ZXA10 C300 enables the coexistence and easy upgrading from one standard to another of GPON, XG-PON1, NG-PON2 and WDM-PtP on the same platform. The terminals for the TWDM-PON prototype are advanced colourless optical network units (ONUs) with tunable receiver/transmitter technology.
“Operators need to be building broadband networks that can evolve flexibly,” said Bei Jinsong, director of ZTE Optical Access Networks. “Taking this approach, current networks that use GPON and XG-PON1 technologies, including FTTP, FTTH, FTTdp, can meet network development requirements for the next five to ten years. Over that period, neither existing XG-PON1 nor the optical network infrastructure needs to be changed. Therefore the XGPON1 will be deployed inevitably in short coming years.”
“By overlaying XG-PONs with new wavelengths, the network can gradually upgrade to the bandwidth of NG-PON2 as needed or enable open access based on wavelength paths,” Mr Bei added. “The concept also supports expanding through WDM-PtP to provide services such as backhaul, fronthaul, business access etc. As a result, it is able to help operators markedly reduce expenditure on network construction and energy consumption, thus effectively protecting their investments.”
As the leader in the optical access networks sector, ZTE is committed to promoting the development of optical access standards and the industry’s supply chain. Its cutting-edge technology innovations, product solutions, efficient services and prompt project delivery have been widely recognized by customers. According to the “Market Share Spreadsheet 2Q12 FTTx, DSL, and CMTS (Units)” report, released by telecoms industry analyst Ovum in August 2012, ZTE ranks No.1 for both overall shipments of central-office PON equipment and market share of ONTs/ONUs.