Marking another industry first in coherent optics, Ciena announced the latest generation of its industry-leading WaveLogic technology. Optimized for high-capacity transport required with next-generation routing data paths and associated wholesale services, Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 will support up to 1.6Tb/s single-carrier wavelengths for metro ROADM deployments, 800Gb/s over the longest links, and energy-efficient 800G pluggables across 1000km distances.
WaveLogic 6 supports the capabilities and evolution paths required to meet current and future network and business requirements as service providers struggle to fulfil the dual challenge of reducing energy use and meeting the never-ending demand for bandwidth.
Scott McFeely, Senior Vice President, Global Products and Services, Ciena said “The last few years have irreversibly changed our expectations of networks, showing the critical importance of enabling greater connectivity to help fuel our digital lifestyles.”
He added, “At the same time, we all need to do more to help the environment. As the pioneer in coherent optical technology, and the first to bring coherent 40G, 100G, 400G and 800G to the industry, we continue to set the standard in optical transport and push the limits of innovation by creating solutions that significantly reduce cost per bit, improve network performance, and drive energy efficiency.”
Ciena’s unparalleled proficiency in coherent DSP and high-bandwidth electro-optics, combined with the use of advanced 3nm silicon technology, has enabled the sixth generation of WaveLogic to achieve performance milestones that are unprecedented in the industry. This marks another instance of Ciena setting the standard in optical innovation.
WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e), Ciena’s performance-optimized solution, integrates new coherent DSP innovations to provide the highest capacity over fiber, supporting 1.6Tb/s single-carrier wavelengths for metro ROADM networks, 800Gb/s across the longest links, and 15% improvement in spectral efficiency compared to the previous generation. WL6e will also deliver significant economic benefits, including a 50% reduction in space and power per bit compared to Ciena’s industry-leading 800G technology today. The first coherent optical solution operating at 200GBaud, WL6e will maximize coverage of 800Gb/s connectivity across networks.
Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 Nano (WL6n) is a cost-effective and space-saving solution that enables 400G-800G coherent pluggables to be used in 400G long-haul and 800G metro/regional applications, as well as interoperable 800ZR DCI applications. Additionally, WL6n features Ciena’s unique engineering innovations that make it possible to deliver an 800LR design that is fit for use inside a data center campus, marking the first time that coherent technology has been utilized in this way.
Ciena has a long history in technology innovation designed to help service providers do more with less – less power, less space and less cost. Since its introduction in 2008, WaveLogic has already delivered 20 times more capacity over fiber and more than 85% reduction in Watts/Gbps for Ciena customers.
In the first half of 2024, Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 will commence to be made available. A variety of Ciena’s optical, routing, and switching platforms will handle WL6. Also made accessible for use in outside solutions will be WL6.
