Test & Measurement


EXFO tests terabit research network

27 February 2019 Test & Measurement

EXFO, C Spire and Nokia Bell Labs have collaborated on a demonstration of a terabit-speed research network.

To put it into context, networks running at this speed would make it possible to download a two-hour 4K video in 0,8 seconds, or the entire contents of an academic research library in 2 seconds.

While terabit-speed networks have been shown before, EXFO’s contribution made this the first proof of technology that could generate, monitor and test these next-gen speeds.

The demo, led by C Spire, came on the heels of its complete technology overhaul of MissiON (the Mississippi Optical Network). As the next step in its long-term vision to provide the nation’s first terabit-speed research network, C Spire approached EXFO to help by providing high-speed testing equipment for its trial, which used fibre-optic connections to link two Mississippi State University data centres.

EXFO’s contribution to this ground-breaking demo was to generate one full TbE (Terabit Ethernet, which equates to 1000 Gbps) with five combined 100G dual-port test modules (FTBx-88200NGE Power Blazers). The high-speed traffic was injected into the simulated network and then returned to EXFO’s test platform to validate data transport and critical performance parameters.

“With this simulation, we were able to successfully test the first terabit-speed connections on a Mississippi university campus and demonstrate the viability of ultra-high-speed networks not only from the perspective of traffic generation but also testing and monitoring,” said Anabel Alarcon, product specialist at EXFO. “We had this trial up and running in 15 minutes – without a glitch. If it’s any indication of the future, bring it on! It goes without saying that we are very excited and optimistic.”

EXFO is also looking ahead to 1,6 Tb Ethernet networks, and is simulating equipment that doesn’t yet exist so that when the time comes, it can serve its customers at that frontier and beyond.

For more information contact Chris Nel, Lambda Test Equipment, +27 12 349 1341, [email protected], www.lambdatest.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Analyser and voltmeter capability added to portable instruments
Tamashi Technology Investments Test & Measurement
Anritsu Company had added Vector Network Analyzer and Vector Voltmeter measurements to their industry standard Site Master instruments.

Read more...
Marktech’s latest LEDs and photodiodes
NuVision Electronics Test & Measurement
Designed for precision sensing and emission tasks, Marktech’s optoelectronic lineup serves medical, industrial, aerospace, and environmental markets.

Read more...
MEMS air quality sensor
Future Electronics Test & Measurement
Bosch Sensortec’s BME690 is the latest-generation gas sensor that combines advanced monitoring capabilities with innovative artificial intelligence functionality.

Read more...
Telemetry retrofit for sustainable resource management
CST Electronics Test & Measurement
AquaMeter is a cost-effective secure telemetry retrofit that can easily be added to hundreds of millions of legacy mechanical water meters.

Read more...
True-RMS clamp meter measures 2500 A
Comtest Test & Measurement
The Fluke 376 FC True-RMS Clamp Meter with iFlex is the most advanced troubleshooting tool for industrial and commercial electricians.

Read more...
Latest wireless barcode scanner
Brady Corporation Test & Measurement
Brady has launched its new barcode scanner, the CR2100, which is a wireless handheld scanner utilising Bluetooth 5 LE for communication with a host device.

Read more...
hybridNETBOX instrumentation platform
Vepac Electronics Test & Measurement
The hybridNETBOX from Spectrum Instrumentation is an innovative instrumentation platform that combines a multi-channel arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) and a digitiser in a single portable unit.

Read more...
14-bit AWG at 20 GS/s
Vepac Electronics Test & Measurement
The Arb Rider AWG-7000 is the world’s fastest 14-bit Arbitrary Waveform Generator, featuring a 20 GS/s real time update rate and 14-bit vertical resolution.

Read more...
Additions to APD5000 series oscilloscopes
Osiris Technical Systems Test & Measurement
Each unit is equipped with an integrated CAT II digital multimeter, three programmable power supplies, a dedicated trigger line, and an arbitrary waveform generator.

Read more...
Handheld RTSA up to 9,5 GHz
Vepac Electronics Test & Measurement
The PXE-90 implements an FFT engine on the built-in FPGA and support frame compression with trace detection while ensuring no missing samples between FFT frames.

Read more...