ClariPhy Announces Enhanced 40G LightSpeed Coherent SoC to Boost Performance of Coherent Optical Transport in Metro and Regional Networks

ClariPhy's CL4010 LightSpeed Coherent SoC now supports rates up to 47 Gbps, unlocking advanced forward error correction (FEC) capability available in OTN Processors

AMSTERDAM, Sep 16, 2012  -- ClariPhy Communications, Inc., a leading developer of ultra-high speed mixed signal, digital signal processing (MXSP) systems-on-chips (SoCs) for coherent optical networks, announced today an optimized 40G coherent SoC for metro networks. The advantages of dual polarization QPSK (DP-QPSK) coherent technology - simplicity of deployment, dramatically increased fiber reach and capacity, and lower total cost of ownership - are well established in long haul and submarine networks and have been the key drivers for significant global deployment of ClariPhy's coherent solutions. Operators are now seeking to leverage these benefits in cost efficient and scalable metro and regional networks. This requires a solution immune to cross phase modulation (XPM), which results from the interference of adjacent 10G channels onto 40G DP-QPSK wavelengths in a DWDM system and which limits the number of optical spans and reach achievable in metro coherent deployments.

ClariPhy collaborated with Cortina, a leading OTN solution provider, to solve the XPM problem and enable 40G coherent deployments in metro and regional networks. The solution comprises ClariPhy's CL4010 LightSpeed Coherent SoC operating at an increased data rate of 47Gbps to support the advanced forward error correction (FEC) capabilities available in Cortina System's CS604x and CS600x optical transport network (OTN) processors. The combined solution improves optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) sensitivity by up to 3dB. This improvement, combined with the inherent capability of coherent transmission to deal with the polarization mode dispersion (PMD) present in legacy metro networks, increases the number of network spans and total reach by fifty (50) percent. Carriers can now cost effectively enable network links with up to 15 spans and at least 1200Km reach. The solution also enables deployment of adjacent 40G and 10G wavelengths, without guard banding, allowing operators to maximize fiber capacity and reduce cost per bit.

The increased data rate of 47Gbps supports powerful FEC with a 13% overhead transporting four 10G Ethernet clients mapped into a standard ODU3e1 or ODU3e2 payload. If desired, even more powerful FEC schemes can be employed using Cortina's 20% and 25% overhead FEC codes. These codes can be used with ClariPhy's CL5018 LightSpeed Coherent SoC, which supports data rates from 47Gbps to 50Gbps.

ClariPhy and Cortina worked with a leading provider of metropolitan networking equipment to test the solution. The test results are reported in the technical paper "Use of High Gain FEC to Counteract XPM in Metro Networks Combining 40G Coherent DP-QPSK and 10G OOK Channels," to be presented at the IEEE Photonics Conference in Burlingame, CA on 26 September 2012.

ClariPhy's CL4010 LightSpeed Coherent SoC has been shipping since 2011 and is currently available in MSA modules from partners such as Oclaro, NEC and JDSU. Cortina Systems' 40G OTN processors have already been integrated into OEMs' metro platforms worldwide. Modules with ClariPhy's enhanced 47Gbps CL4010 will sample in September, enabling OEMs and network operators to benefit from the synergies and economies of scale of a common coherent solution in long haul, submarine and metro optical transport networks.

"Solving the cross phase modulation was critical to adoption of coherent technology in metro networks," commented Arun Zarabi, vice president, Cortina Systems, Inc. "By working closely with ClariPhy to remove this significant barrier, we were able to fine tune the XPM tolerant 47G Coherent solution thus enabling system manufacturers the ability to maximize fiber capacity and reduce cost per bit."

"The higher bit rate capability of the enhanced LightSpeed SoC from ClariPhy will help our customers to deploy 40G coherent line cards more widely in metro networks, which are already carrying intensity modulated wavelengths such as conventional 10G connections. This feature enables network operators to introduce coherent technology more pervasively without having to build overlay networks," said Richard Smart, SVP and GM of Optical Network Subsystems, Oclaro.

"We are pleased to have removed the main obstacle facing operators in deploying 40G coherent over brownfield networks, where existing 10G traffic can interfere with 40G wavelengths," said Norm Swenson, Chief Technology Officer, ClariPhy. "Our strong ecosystem of module partners has allowed us to ship more coherent SoCs than all other merchant silicon suppliers combined. We are now in a strong position to address the high-volume metro market with a cost effective and smooth upgrade to 40G coherent technology."

About ClariPhy

ClariPhy Communications, Inc. develops mixed signal, advanced digital signal processing (MXSP) SoCs targeting multi-mode, multi-rate high performance optical network applications at 10, 40, 100, and 200G via the industry's most comprehensive product portfolio. ClariPhy is unique in the industry by offering a "One Stop Shop" approach, with all significant intellectual property (IP) developed in-house, providing ICs to our customers with superior feature sets and accelerated time-to-market (TTM). ClariPhy's LightSpeed SoCs increase capacity and reach while eliminating costly regeneration equipment, simplifying network management and lowering system CAPEX and OPEX costs. ClariPhy's investors include Nokia Siemens Networks, Oclaro, Norwest Venture Partners, Onset Ventures, and Allegis Capital. ClariPhy is headquartered in Irvine, California with offices in Los Altos, California and Cordoba, Argentina.

For more information, please visit www.clariphy.com

About Cortina

Cortina Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of high-performance communications semiconductor solutions enabling next generation network connectivity and efficient bandwidth delivery from the core network to the home network. Our broad product portfolio includes carrier-class semiconductor devices for next generation optical transport and passive optical network systems, as well as data center connectivity and digital home solutions.

For more information, please visit www.cortina-systems.com

About Oclaro

Oclaro, Inc. is one of the largest providers of lasers and optical components, modules and subsystems for the optical communications, industrial, and consumer laser markets. The company is a global leader dedicated to photonics innovation, with cutting-edge research and development (R&D) and chip fabrication facilities in the U.S., U.K., Italy, Switzerland, Israel, Korea and Japan. It has in-house and contract manufacturing sites in China, Malaysia and Thailand, with design, sales and service organizations in most of the major regions around the world.

For more information, please visit www.oclaro.com