NTT Comm Deploying 400Gbps Optical transmission for Data Center Network Connections

NTT Communications Corporation, the ICT solutions and international communications business within the NTT Group, will begin deploying an ultra-large-capacity, space-saving and energy-saving 400Gbps (400G) optical transmission system in data centers for network connection.

This deployment will be implemented sequentially from April 14th.

The system will raise the transmission capacity of NTT Com's core network above 19Tbps per optical fiber, or more than double existing capacity.

The system utilizes the advanced digital-signal processing technology which is the result from Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT)'s R&D.

The main features and advantages of the 400G system are as follows:

•Top-level energy and space savings
The new system reduces energy consumption per bps by 75% and space requirements by 80% compared to the existing system. The savings were achieved through a synergistic combination of advanced digital-signal processing technology and 16nm complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. Energy-saving integrated circuits can be constructed rapidly, enabling transmitters to be quickly deployed even in confined spaces at data centers.

•More than double existing transmission capacity
The new system achieves more than double the transmission capacity per optical fiber compared to its predecessor system. To generate 400G signals, the system utilizes NTT's research result :16 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) for both phase and amplitude, and sub-carrier multiple transmission.

•New OTN and 400GbE interfaces
In connection with the deployment, NTT Com will offer new optional network services for enterprises, including the sequential launch of OTN interfaces (OTU2, OTU2e and OTU4) mainly for wholesalers and data center users, and a 400GbE interface incorporating framing technology compatible with OTUCn which is the result from NTT's R&D.

•Dis-aggregation architecture
To deliver new services and functions with even greater speed and flexibility, NTT Com will combine SDN technologies and dis-aggregation architecture, which can be redeployed as required according to function or module, replacing existing high-function, all-in-one dedicated equipment.

Going forward, NTT Com and NTT will jointly investigate further possibilities, including the deployment of PoC to deliver high-speed Ethernet signals, including 400GbE.

Mindful of IEEE standardization trends, they will pursue increased flexibility and agility for transmission networks by leveraging dis-aggregated equipment and SDN technologies.