Cornet Technology uses CALIENT 3D MEMS technology in JITC-certified all-optical switch

Photonic switch developer CALIENT Technologies, Inc. says that it has supplied its 3D micro-electromechanical switch (MEMS) technology to Cornet Technology, Inc. Cornet in turn has used that technology in the development of its ClearWave optical switch, which the company asserts is the first all-optical switch to be certified by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC).

The ClearWave all-optical switch offers a total throughput of 32 Tbps for data consolidation, testing and disaster recovery, optical patch management, video teleconferencing, telecommunications, and data center applications in DoD networks. Each switch port can support up to 100 Gbps; within the switching fabric, the system supports a -60-dB separation to ensure information assurance.

“Defense networks need a stable and flexible cable plant and our ClearWave switch provides a network foundation upon which we can build secure network systems,” said Tom Bennett, president of Cornet Technology, Inc. “It’s important to us that we meet the standards of our defense and intelligence customer base, and with this new technology we are able to meet those needs.”

“Network infrastructure automation and control allows for flexible applications to meet DoD requirements of cost reduction and consolidation without a forklift upgrade,” said Glenn Stern, vice president of global public sector for CALIENT Technologies. "We see this partnership with Cornet Technology as a perfect opportunity to extend and strengthen our commitment to government customers."

CALIENT makes its own large-scale photonic switch for government applications, the FiberConnect 320X. The company decided several years ago to diversify from being a pure large-switch developer to also offering its 3D MEMS technology for others to use (see “Calient adds 3D MEMS module, ‘white box’ efforts to product offers”). The company continues to develop all-optical switching systems, with the S320 photonic switch its most recent offering (see “Calient debuts high-density photonic switch for data centers”).

For more information on optical switches and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.