ZTE Corporation has unveiled the world’s first time and wavelength division multiplex – passive optical network (TWDM-PON) prototype at the Broadband World Forum 2012 (BBWF) in Amsterdam.

The Chinese firm also presented a solution for working on pay-as-you-grow, flexibly evolving, green broadband networks involving GPON, XG-PON1, NG-PON2 and WDM-PtP by TWDM technology.

ZTE thinks deployment of the FTTx network with GPON and XGPON1 in the next 5 years will be the path to follow.

Overlay other wavelengths by TWDM technology will be a good alternative for higher bandwidth requirement in the future, said the telecoms equipment provider.

In April 2012, the Full Service Access Network (FSAN) Group designated TWDM-PON as the main technology direction of NG-PON2, the next generation of PON (passive optical network) technology.

ZTE developed its first TWDM-PON prototype soon after the standards direction was determined.

The central-office equipment for the TWDM-PON prototype is the ZXA10 C300, ZTE’s unified access platform adapted for next-generation PONs.

The ZXA10 C300 allows the coexistence and easy upgrade from one standard to another of GPON, XG-PON1, NG-PON2 and WDM-PtP on the same platform.

Terminals for ZTE’s TWDM-PON prototype are advanced, colorless optical network units (ONUs) with tunable transmitter/receiver technology.

“Operators need to be building broadband networks that can evolve flexibly,” said Bei Jinsong, director of ZTE Optical Access Networks. “Taking this approach, current networks that use GPON and XG-PON1 technologies, including FTTP, FTTH, and FTTdp, can meet network development requirements for the next five to ten years. Over that period, neither existing XG-PON1 nor the optical network infrastructure needs to be changed. Therefore the XGPON1 will be deployed inevitably in short coming years”

“By overlaying XG-PONs with new wavelengths, the network can gradually upgrade to the bandwidth of NG-PON2 as needed or enable open access based on wavelength paths,” Mr Bei added. “The concept also supports expanding through WDM-PtP to provide services such as backhaul, fronthaul,business access etc. . As a result, it is able to help operators markedly reduce expenditure on network construction and energy consumption, thus effectively protecting their investments.”

ZTE is a leader in the optical access networks sector and is committed to promote the development of optical access standards and the industry’s supply chain.

The firm’s forefront technology innovations, product solutions, efficient services and prompt project delivery have been widely recognized by its customers.

According to the “Market Share Spreadsheet 2Q12 FTTx, DSL, and CMTS (Units)” report, released by telecoms industry analyst Ovum in August 2012, ZTE ranks No.1 for both overall shipments of central-office PON equipment and market share of ONTs/ONUs.

Source: ZTE Corp

Image: Ken Banks, via Flickr (CC)

About Francis Rey Balolong

A coffee junkie who spends most of his time writing about the latest news on social media and mobile technology. I would definitely consider myself a nerd (in the coolest most hipster way possible). That being said, I love technology, music, writing, and all things mobile. Follow me: Google+ Twitter

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