Windstream leverages II-VI WaveShaper and WaveAnalyzer in 800G live network trial testing

II-VI Inc. (Nasdaq: IIVI) asserts its WaveShaper and WaveAnalyzer instruments played a key role in field testing the first live network trial of 800 Gbps transmission on a single channel by Windstream. The WaveShaper and WaveAnalyzer systems were used to analyze the cumulative impairment effects on 800G signals resulting from transmitting through a series of ROADMs.

Windstream and Infinera announced just such a test in June (see “Windstream, Infinera drive 800G across 730 km live production network”). However, Ciena revealed today that it will supply 800G technology for Windstream’s National Converged Optical Network (NCON) – an outcome that would have required similar pre-award testing.

The WaveAnalyzer resolves the optical spectrum to 180 MHz to accurately determine the spectral shape and modulation format, while the WaveShaper simulates realistic optical network configurations, says II-VI. Both instruments integrate a web server supporting either a graphical user interface or an application programming interface.

“The high resolution, advanced features, and compact size of the WaveShaper and WaveAnalyzer enable realistic transmission stress testing both in the lab and in the field,” said Kim Papakos, senior network architect, Windstream. “With the additional benefits of simultaneous multi-user access, a friendly user interface, and powerful post-processing capabilities, these instruments are an ideal solution for our upcoming 800G deployments.”

For related articles, visit the Test and Measurement Topic Center.

For more information on test instruments and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.

To stay abreast of fiber network deployments, subscribe to Lightwave’s Service Providers and Datacom/Data Center newsletters.