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120 Chapter 5

Table 5-4 Technology and Capacities Current versus Future Technology

A Look at What
DWDM at OC-192 and 40 Current technology capable of carrying 40
DWDM and Fiber different wavelengths (using ITU 100-GHz
Rates Will Bring spacing) at 10 Gbps each or 400 Gbps. Cur-
rently, the industry has achieved 320 Gbps,
over the Next
with the 400-Gbps rate available in the
Decade very near future.
DWDM at OC-192 and 80 The current spacing of 100 GHz as speci-
fied by the ITU is under attack. The near
future holds the promise of doubling the
number of wavelengths by using 50-GHz
spacing, allowing up to twice as many
wavelengths on the same fiber (80) each
operating at 10 Gbps.

DWDM at OC-768 and 40 This is a turn-of-the-century technology
with up to 40 Gbps per wavelength and 40
wavelengths or a total of approximately
1.6 Tbps.
DWDM at OC-768 and 80 By the year 2002, we can probably expect to
see OC-768 plus the use of 80 wavelengths,
or a 3.2-Tbps throughput on fiber.

DWDM at OC-192 and 160 By the year 2005, we can expect to see the
decreased spacing of wavelengths and
tighter tolerances on fiber lasers yielding a
total of 160 different wavelengths at 10
Gbps each, or back to the 1.6-Tbps rate.

DWDM at OC-768 and 160 These 2008-2009 technologies will again
double the capacity and yield 160 different
wavelengths at the OC-768 rate (40 Gbps),
or netting 6.4 Tbps on a single fiber.

These rates are all projected to be available in the next decade.
However, because the technology seems to be doubling every 6 to 12
months, the rates shown in Table 5-4 could happen as soon as 2005.
The issue is not how long it will take, but the ability to drive better
and faster data and other communications needs on the same fibers.
The future holds a lot of excitement with these speeds.