Marconi (MONI) today announced details of its development plans for a new multi-layer switch (MLS) for optical networks. The MLS is a unique, next-generation architecture that combines electrical and optical switching, and integrates optical transport, on a single platform. Development work is advancing at Marconi`s research and development laboratories at Backnang, Germany and Genoa, Italy. The new multi-layer switch will be launched next year.
"As the largest SDH vendor in Europe, Marconi is in the driver`s seat with the automated MLS," said St'ephane Penzo, analyst at telecommunication industry researcher RHK. "Leveraging its existing optical and data products, the company`s ASTN-based architecture enables carriers to optimise capex/opex risks in their core networks. Competitors have not yet shown such a node that smoothly and cost-effectively merges STM-granularity with photonic switching in a common rack."
Carrier class transport networks are typically built using both SDH/SONET and DWDM technologies. These technologies are complementary with DWDM providing the high-capacity transport while SDH/SONET adds flexibility to the network and provides a comprehensive set of management functions. However, both technologies can create separate layers, resulting in higher costs in network build and operation. Representing the ultimate step in the integration of network technologies, the Marconi initiative builds on its expertise in both Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) and Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM) transmission technologies.
The MLS integrates the different transport and switching layers into a single network element. It combines electrical and optical switching and incorporates the WDM transport layer into one unit with a single control plane. This reduces the cost of floor space and power consumption and the need for surplus equipment, management and interoperability testing.
The intelligent control plane and advanced grooming capability improve network utilisation, while the combination of long haul and ultra long-haul optical transmission with optical switching reduces significantly the amount of costly electrical regeneration required in the network. High levels of scalability and flexibility allow adaptation to any traffic needs.
"Network operators frequently have complicated networks which have been built, extended and enhanced with a variety of technologies over a period of time," said Stefan Kindt, Marconi`s Vice-President of Marketing and Project Management for Optical Networks. "At the same time operators are under pressure to provide new services and greater bandwidth at an ever greater pace. Marconi`s multi-layer switch is designed to integrate the layers of a typical hybrid network, allowing operators to react quickly and cost-effectively to customer demands, while reducing the costs for inter-layer interfaces and improving network utilisation. Our next-generation MLS is part of the evolution from static transport networks towards intelligent and demand-responsive platforms."
Marconi`s transport solutions cover a comprehensive portfolio of SDH multiplexers and switches, as well as most flexible DWDM transport systems including configurable OADMs (Optical Add-/Drop-Multiplexers) and ultra-long haul transport systems. Marconi is the first supplier to offer a portfolio of DWDM transport solutions supporting a DW (Digital Wrapper) running end-to-end from Metro Access systems and Metro Core systems over the backbone transport network.
Technical notes
A single MLS network element provides full SONET/SDH 3/3 and 4/4 functionality, together with switching and grooming of Optical Data Units (ODUs). Optical switching is performed on an Optical Channel (OCh) basis, allowing express traffic to bypass a node transparently unless electrical regeneration or wavelength conversion is needed. Marconi`s multi-layer switch is fully compatible with the ASTN (Automatically Switched Transport Networks) standards.
The main features and benefits of MLS are:
* Combining ultra long-haul optical transmission with optical switching, reducing the amount of costly electrical regeneration in the network significantly;
* Intelligent control plane and advanced grooming capability improve network utilisation;
* Integration of layers reduces cost for inter-layer interfaces, floor space and power consumption, surplus equipment, management, and interoperability testing;
* Simplified network planning and operations due to selective automatic regeneration and advanced routing;
* Advanced protection and restoration schemes increase network utilisation and reliability;
* Real-time, multiservice provisioning eliminates lead times for data and fixed bandwidth applications;
* Grades of service (GoS) support present and future service requirements;
* Future-proof ASTN control plane protects investment; and
* High scalability and flexibility allows adaptation to any traffic needs.
The MLS is an integral part of Marconi`s ION (Intelligent Optical Networks) portfolio which, in combination with SmartPhotoniX transport solutions, forms the basis of a highly flexible, future-proof, end-to-end network solution.
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Marconi plc is a global telecommunications equipment and solutions company headquartered in London. The company`s core business is the provision of innovative and reliable optical networks, broadband routing and switching and broadband access technologies and services. The company`s aim is to help fixed and mobile telecommunications operators worldwide reduce costs and increase revenues.
The company`s customer base includes many of the world`s largest telecommunications operators. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol MONI. Additional information about Marconi can be found at www.marconi.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to products, partners, customers, future growth and other matters. Please refer to the Form 20-F report and Form 6-K reports filed by Marconi plc with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements.
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