Lumentum Unveils Optical Whiteboxes for Software Defined Networks (SDN)

MILPITAS, Calif., March 17, 2016 -- Lumentum Holdings Inc. (“Lumentum”) unveiled a new optical whitebox platform supporting an ecosystem enabling SDN within data center & metro/edge DWDM transport. The initial products include a family of configurable rack-mountable optical whiteboxes: terminal amplifier, line amplifier, mux/demux, and ROADM.  

“SDN and programmable networks offer the promise of accelerating service turn-up and pace of innovation, with benefits throughout the value chain,” said Doug Alteen, vice president, product line management, Telecom. “Optical whiteboxes are Lumentum’s contribution to the ecosystem in its collective pursuit of achieving this objective.”  

SDN Optical Whitebox Overview

Lumentum’s SDN optical whitebox platform is designed for simplicity and scalability, with open interfaces. This family of configurable building blocks will support the construction of networking solutions for varied applications based on specific performance and cost requirements. The platform supports open interfaces to ease the integration of whiteboxes into SDN controller/orchestrator layers, enabling system integrators and network operators to deploy and turn-up services. The initial products based on this SDN whitebox platform target simple point-to-point DCI applications, as well as ROADMs (for metro edge DWDM transport).

Optical Whitebox Products

Terminal Amplifier: The terminal amplifier whitebox and its associated mux/demux form the endpoints of a transport link.  It supports two high-power variable gain EDFAs, OSC termination, optical channel monitor, and automatic line protection within a 1RU network element.

Mux/Demux: The mux/demux is a passive element that provides the entry/exit point for data transmission channels. The device requires no external power or management connections.  Inventory data for the device is visible through its associated terminal amplifier.

Line Amplifier: The line amplifier whitebox is used to extend system reach beyond the single span limit of the terminal amplifier whitebox. It combines all necessary functions to support amplification in two directions into a single 1RU network element. 

ROADM: The ROADM whitebox is used to support wavelength agility in meshed networks. It supports a TrueFlex^® twin 1xN (9-20+) or single 1xN (2-9) wavelength selective switch, two high power variable gain EDFAs, OSC termination, and optical channel monitor within a 1RU network element.   

“SDN optical whiteboxes are another example of Lumentum partnering with customers to anticipate, construct and deliver solutions they need to fulfill the relentless demand for higher performance, higher density, and lower cost,” said Madhu Krishnaswamy, director, product line management, Optical Communications. “The platform is customizable, and supports the addition of updated features for dynamic market conditions.” 

A Lumentum ROADM whitebox is featured in a proof-of-concept demonstration of packet optical convergence over open ROADMs. This effort is led by ON.Lab and will be showcased in their booth #3758 at OFC.

Lumentum’s optical whitebox products will be on display in Lumentum’s booth #2200, at OFC 2016, in Anaheim, California from March 20-24, 2016.

About Lumentum

Lumentum (NASDAQ:LITE) is a market-leading manufacturer of innovative optical and photonic products enabling optical networking and commercial laser customers worldwide. Lumentum’s optical components and subsystems are part of virtually every type of telecom, enterprise, and data center network. Lumentum’s commercial lasers enable advanced manufacturing techniques and diverse applications including next-generation 3D sensing capabilities. Lumentum is headquartered in Milpitas, California with R&D, manufacturing, and sales offices worldwide.  For more information, visit www.lumentum.com.

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