OIF targets 800G Coherent Implementation Agreement

OIF members apparently had a busy Q420 round of Technical and MA&E Committee virtual meetings November 2-November 6, 2020. In addition to the previously announced Co-Packaging Framework Implementation Agreement (IA) project (see “OIF targets Co-Packaging Framework Implementation Agreement”), the group now announces the launch of an 800G Coherent IA effort as well as the release of a FlexE for 400ZR white paper. The group also elected new leadership.

The 800G Coherent project will define interoperable single-lambda 800G coherent line specifications at campus and data center interconnect reaches. That includes amplified, single span, DWDM links up to 80 to 120 km and unamplified, fixed-wavelength links of 2 to 10 km. The resulting modules will support Ethernet client(s), with a minimum of 100GbE, up to 800G aggregate bandwidth.

“The next standardized coherent rate beyond 400ZR will be technically challenging with many factors to be considered,” said Tad Hofmeister, technical lead, optical networking technologies at Google and OIF vice president. “With the 800G Coherent IA, OIF is in a unique position to take a leadership role in defining interoperable 800G coherent line interfaces for various applications.”

However, the results of this new IA will not be called 800ZR (at least not internally), Karl Gass, vice chair of the OIF PLL Optical Working Group, told attendees of the ECOC 2020 Market Focus today. He noted that OIF latched onto a commonly used term for 400ZR – but, because the 800G Coherent IA will target a pair of reaches that are significantly different, the group has resisted calling the resultant specifications 800ZR. Gass noted that among the aspects the IA will address are symbol rates, modulation formats, FECs, DSP framing, and symbol mapping, among others.

Election Results

The OIF’s leadership elections saw several people either join the leadership team for the first time or land in new roles:

• Board of Directors:
• Ian Betty, Ciena, continues to serve on the Board and was appointed president
• Mark Filer, Microsoft, was elected to the Board (two-year term)
• Tad Hofmeister, Google, continues to serve on the Board and was re-appointed vice president
• Mike Li, Intel, was re-elected to the Board (one-year term)
• Jeffery Maki, Juniper Networks, was elected to the Board (one-year term)
• Gary Nicholl, Cisco, was re-elected to the Board (two-year term) and appointed secretary/treasurer
• Nathan Tracy, TE Connectivity, was re-elected to the Board (two-year term) and appointed vice president of marketing.
• Officers:
• Klaus-Holger Otto, Nokia, was elected Technical Committee chair
• Karl Bois, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, was elected Technical Committee vice chair
• Lyndon Ong, Ciena, was re-elected Market Awareness & Education Committee co-chair, networking
• Richard Ward, Intel, was elected Market Awareness & Education Committee co-chair, Physical and Link Layer
• Dave Brown, Nokia, continues to serve as director of communications.
• Technical Committee:
• Michael Klempa, Amphenol, was elected as Physical and Link Layer Interoperability Working Group chair (two-year term)
• Jeffery Maki, Juniper Networks, was re-elected as Physical Layer User Group Working Group chair (two-year term).

“I’m looking forward to serving OIF members as president of this vital organization and thank all those who have served and continue to serve,” said Ian Betty, new OIF president. “OIF’s role continues to be critical in making great strides in interoperability solutions for today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. Congratulations to the entire board and those appointed to leadership positions – your role is integral to OIF’s continued success.”

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