Tencent completes 200G IP over DWDM demo over 80km using Acacia’s CFP2-DCO modules

Acacia Communications Inc of Maynard, MA, USA (which develops and manufactures high-speed coherent optical interconnect products) says that, in a lab demonstration, Tencent has completed 80km fiber transmission of multiple 200G 8QAM signals over its OPC-4 open line system (OLS) using Acacia’s CFP2-DCO modules on third-party switch platforms.

To emulate the higher fiber loss in its metro networks, Tencent added additional 10dB optical attenuators to the tested link, and was still able to achieve error-free operation in all the ports. OPC-4, which was developed by Tencent, meets Tencent’s SDN requirements for a disaggregated transport network and is fully integrated into its network controller. Tencent believes that this lab demonstration validates the deployment readiness of its IP over DWDM solution using OPC-4 in its metro DCI networks.

The lab demonstration was performed using Acacia’s CFP2-DCO modules with 50GHz channel spacing and 200G 8QAM modulation, which was selected by Tencent to address the challenging fiber loss in its metro DCI applications, and showcases the ability to support transmission of up to 19.2T on a single fiber using Tencent’s 96 channel OPC-4 and Acacia’s CFP2-DCO modules. With this demonstration, Tencent is highlighting the value of IP over DWDM and disaggregated solutions to cost effectively meet the growing bandwidth needs of its metro DCI infrastructure.

Graphic: Test set-up configuration.

“This demonstration validated that Acacia’s CFP2-DCO product has been integrated into switch platforms in terms of mechanical, electrical, power and firmware interfaces. The switch platform was able to configure the CFP2-DCO and access advanced performance-monitoring functionality for the module, as well as the link,” says Tencent’s senior network architect Jengyi Geng. “With Acacia’s 200G CFP2-DCO, our switch platform can support 8 ports, for up to 1.6T per line-card, and our OPC-4 can support transmission of up to 19.2T over a single fiber for metro DCI applications. In addition, the CFP2-DCO form factor provides us with a pay-as-you-grow deployment model,” he adds.

“We were impressed by the level of integration in the switch platform and OPC-4 open line system,” comments Tom Williams, associate VP of marketing at Acacia Communications. “This lab demonstration underlines the importance of pluggable coherent modules in applications such as Tencent’s metro DCI network, potentially creating opportunities for our NEM [network equipment manufacturer] customers to offer differentiated solutions in these applications,” he believes.

Acacia’s module is compliant with the OIF CFP2-DCO Implementation Agreement, which also includes support for next-generation 400G solutions, further improving board density and fiber capacity. Based on its Meru DSP (digital signal processing) ASIC, Acacia’s CFP2-DCO module has been shipping in production since December 2017.

See related items:

Acacia launches ZR-class coherent CFP and CFP2 DCO pluggable modules

Tags: CFP2 Optical communications

Visit: www.acacia-inc.com