IEEE 802.3 Beyond 400Gb/s Ethernet Study Group formed
IEEE and IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) have announced the formation of the IEEE 802.3 Beyond 400Gb/s Ethernet Study Group that, as its name implies, potentially will lay the groundwork for eventual standards for Ethernet at rates greater than 400 Gbps. The launch of the Study Group follows the publication of a Bandwidth Assessment Report this past April that indicated the need for such work, as well as a Call for Interest (CFI) that confirmed industry consensus that a Study Group on this topic would be beneficial (see "IEEE to assess Ethernet bandwidth demand" and "IEEE to consider what comes after 400 Gigabit Ethernet").
The Study Group will consider the definition of a project to move Ethernet standards beyond 400 Gbps; if the group’s work is successful, a Task Force to define such standards would be created. The Study Group’s first meeting is scheduled to be held the week of January 18, 2021.
“The path to beyond 400-Gbps Ethernet exists, but there are a host of options and physical challenges that will need to be considered to take the next leap in speed rate for Ethernet,” said John D’Ambrosia, distinguished engineer at Futurewei Technologies who led the CFI effort as well as the Ad Hoc Committee that produced the Bandwidth Assessment Report and who is acting chair of the Study Group (according to his LinkedIn profile). “Both the historical trend lines for Ethernet bandwidth demand and everything the industry understands today about its future needs and technology growth curves indicate that the time to take the next step is now, in order to satisfy humanity’s needs and desires for connectivity. It will be the responsibility of the study group to examine the problem and develop the project authorization documentation necessary to launch a new standard-development project.”
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
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