Cisco, Arris team on multi-wavelength transmission standard

Arris and Cisco have collaborated on technical specifications for multi-wavelength optical networks and have submitted the proposal to the SCTE as a potential standard for coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM).

Such a standard should help ensure that operators will receive robust, reliable and cost-effective system solutions, the two argue, specifically to enable expanded optical transport capacity for existing HFC networks or within greenfield deployments.

That may be, but should the specifications that both companies already adhere to be adopted as standards, one of the effects would be to put other vendors with their own versions of CWDM, or other variants of WDM technology, at a competitive disadvantage.

These could include Motorola, Harmonic, Aurora Networks and others.

Cisco Access Networks VP and GM Mark Palazzo said: “This collaboration demonstrates the industry coming together to work toward a common goal of standardization. By identifying the limitations and common solutions for multi-wavelength transmission, we are improving cost efficiencies and paving the way for interoperability. With so many parts involved, standardization helps us achieve commonality, fueling the continued growth and evolution of the industry.”

“We are hoping to generate open standards-based products and solutions that support cable as it competes with telco and satellite providers,” said John Caezza, president of Arris Access, Transport & Supplies. “When vendors work together to lower the costs of technology and speed its time to market, then the entire industry wins.”

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