Spectrum sharing, channel planning and a new partnership service: customer use cases

Step into the world of Submarine Network Master Class with Richard Norris from Ciena as your guide. From the foundational PDH era to the cutting-edge landscapes of 800Gb/s (800G) and beyond, we unravel the complexities of spectrum sharing, navigate the strategic intricacies of channel planning, and introduce you to an innovative new partnership service.

Let′s commence with a brief reflection on the historical path that has brought us to the present state of submarine network services. My telecom journey, starting in the early '90s, witnessed the transition from PDH to the advent of SDH, marking a shift from megabit per second to gigabit per second systems. Initially, the focus was primarily on voice-driven capacity, with a loose correlation between network and service capacity. The subsequent years saw the rise of DWDM technology, gaining widespread adoption in the 2000s, particularly in submarine cables, as capacity increased from 16 by 2.5 to 40 channels at 10 gigabits per second (10G). The correlation between Ethernet services and transmission wavelengths began with the emergence of 1 Gb/s (1GbE) and 10 Gb/s Ethernet (10GbE).

Moving into the 2010s, coherent technology revolutionized telecoms, leading to a tenfold increase in capacity from 10G to 100G. The 2020s, still in their early stages, hint at reaching the Shannon limit, emphasizing incremental capacity improvements over the monumental leaps of the past. Notably, 400Gb/s (400G) has become the current standard for submarine systems, aligning with the industry's commitment to sustainability by focusing on space and power efficiency.

As we analyze this historical trajectory, a clear correlation between line rate on transmission systems and service rates emerges. Now, the pertinent question is: What lies ahead? How will upcoming Ethernet standardizations shape the considerations for submarine cable systems?

A Quick Recap: In recent times, 400G has become the standard across submarine systems, with a focus on trans-oceanic connections. This shift has influenced the design of wet plants, moving away from pursuing very high-capacity single fiber pairs. Instead, spatial division multiplexing (SDM) and high fiber count systems now dominate, optimizing power and capacity per cable.

As the industry navigates towards sustainability, the emphasis is on space and power efficiency, driving the need for higher speeds. With 400GbE now widely supported, the industry is ready for the next leap forward.

Ethernet Standardization Roadmap:

A snapshot of recent press releases from Ciena underscores the industry's reliance on fifth-generation coherent modems, with 400G ubiquitous in trans-oceanic connections. The Ethernet standardization journey, spanning the '90s to the present, reflects the evolution from 1GbE to 400GbE. Looking ahead, standardization work is underway for 800GbE and 1.6TbE, providing a clear roadmap for future technologies. The drivers behind this pursuit of higher speeds are the escalating demands of 5G, AI, and other service platforms, creating a compelling need for increased bandwidth.

Efficiency, as measured by maximizing line and client rates, remains a key focus. The industry is on the brink of adopting 800Gb/s (800G), which is expected to be embraced initially by hyperscalers, eventually permeating through the broader telecommunications landscape. The trajectory points towards a future where 800G becomes the standard, setting the stage for even higher requirements in the years to come.

WaveLogic 6 Extreme: Enabling 800G Everywhere: To realize 800G everywhere, Ciena introduces WaveLogic 6, its sixth-generation coherent modem utilizing cutting-edge three-nanometer CMOS technology. The advantages of this technology lie in enhanced performance and power efficiency. With more gates on the chip, high gigabaud per second (GBd) capability, and improved spectral efficiency, WaveLogic 6 Extreme is positioned to meet the demands of the evolving telecommunications landscape.

Baud tuning emerges as a crucial tool in maximizing cable efficiency. By strategically adjusting baud rates, excess margin is minimized, optimizing channel spacing and allowing for more channels on a fiber pair. As the industry moves towards 800G, the choice of modems becomes pivotal. While Ciena advocates for WaveLogic 6 Extreme, acknowledging the diverse preferences within the industry is essential.

Spectrum Sharing: Architectures, benefits, and challenges Shifting our focus to spectrum sharing, a paradigm that offers flexibility in utilizing available spectrum on a single fiber pair, we encounter a compelling solution to meet evolving network demands. Spectrum sharing, akin to a “virtual fiber pair”, allows multiple customers to control allocated chunks of spectrum, fostering a more dynamic and efficient network architecture.

For cable and fiber pair owners, spectrum sharing opens new revenue streams by allowing multiple tenants on a single pair. This approach maximizes the utilization of the fiber pair, enabling network operators to accommodate different capacities tailored to individual customer needs. The inherent flexibility of spectrum sharing facilitates on demand capacity, addressing the challenge of optimizing resources and minimizing stranded capacity. It also offers a transition path for future capacity growth, supporting evolving business models.

While spectrum sharing presents an array of advantages, it is essential to acknowledge the challenges associated with its implementation. One prominent challenge lies in establishing a framework for equitable allocation and arbitration of spectrum resources among multiple tenants. Ensuring fair access and preventing interference in a shared spectrum environment require robust coordination mechanisms. The road to spectrum sharing demands industry collaboration in establishing standards and guidelines. As an industry, we must collectively address the interoperability aspects of spectrum sharing, facilitating seamless integration into existing networks. Ultimately, the success of spectrum sharing hinges on our ability to navigate these challenges and unlock its transformative potential.

Introducing an innovative new partnership service

In our exploration of submarine network service evolution, we encounter a groundbreaking new partnership service positioned to revolutionize how network services are delivered and consumed. Let′s take a closer look into the key attributes of this innovative new service.

Location-Aware Services:

Enables the delivery of location-aware services, allowing operators to optimize routing based on the geographical location of the data and end-users. This ensures efficient use of network resources and minimizes latency, enhancing the overall user experience.

Dynamic Service Orchestration:

Introduces dynamic service orchestration capabilities, empowering operators to adapt and optimize network services in realtime based on changing demands and conditions; particularly valuable in addressing the dynamic nature of today's digital landscape.

Resource Optimization:

Leverages advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to optimize resource allocation, ensuring efficient utilization of network infrastructure. By dynamically allocating resources based on demand patterns, operators can enhance network performance and reduce operational costs.

Enhanced Security:

Incorporates robust security features, including geographically-aware threat detection and mitigation that enhances the overall security posture of submarine networks by leveraging location specific intelligence to identify and address potential threats.

Benefits:

Improved User Experience:

Optimizing routing-based on geographic location enhances the user experience by reducing latency and improving service responsiveness. This is particularly crucial for applications with stringent latency requirements, such as online gaming, video conferencing, and financial transactions.

Operational Efficiency:

Dynamic service orchestration contributes to operational efficiency by automating network adjustments in response to changing conditions. This reduces the manual intervention required for optimizing network performance, allowing operators to focus on strategic initiatives.

Cost Optimization:

Advanced resource optimization enables cost effective management of network infrastructure. Operators can allocate resources more efficiently, reducing the need for over-provisioning and minimizing operational expenditures.

Enhanced Security Posture:

Enhances the security posture of submarine networks by providing location-aware threat detection and mitigation. This proactive approach to security minimizes vulnerabilities and strengthens the overall resilience of network infrastructure.

In conclusion, the evolution of submarine network services has witnessed remarkable advancements, from the early days of PDH to the current era of 800G and beyond. The industry's commitment to sustainability, efficiency, and innovation has paved the way for transformative technologies such as spectrum sharing and an innovative new partnership service. As we move towards a more interconnected and intelligent future, collaboration and information sharing will be key drivers of success.

Watch the full video if this Master Class session: https://youtu.be/dk2QjREaC0c