800G - making waves

Part of The Infinite Network, ICE6 builds on the success of Infinera’s ICE4 and Instant Bandwidth with a 1.6 terabits per second (1.6T) optical engine, providing a seamless path for network operators to meet the relentless growth of bandwidth and increasingly dynamic, unpredictable traffic flows.

Packaged in a cross-platform digital coherent module, ICE6 combines Infinera’s sixth-generation photonic integrated circuit (PIC) with its in-house 7 nanometer (nm) FlexCoherent® digital signal processor (DSP) technology. The ICE6 PIC is available today, and will be demonstrated for the first time at the Optical Fiber Conference and Exhibition (OFC) in San Diego, California from March 5-7, 2019. The FlexCoherent 6 DSP will be available in Q3-2019, with the complete ICE6 optical engine available by end of year, and platforms powered by ICE6 commercially available in the second half of 2020.

High baud rate transmissions like 800G have extremely tight tolerances in module design. With the use of revolutionary Nyquist subcarriers, deep vertical integration and mastery of indium phosphide photonics, Infinera is uniquely positioned to deliver an industry-leading 800G solution. Featuring a second-generation probabilistic constellation shaping engine, powered by 7 nm technology and a comprehensive toolkit of advanced coherent technologies, ICE6 will deliver up to 45 percent higher maximum capacity per fiber, streamlined operations and lowest total cost of ownership.

“Infinera has historically been a leader in photonic integration and at the forefront of developing solutions in house, exemplified by high-volume shipments of multiple generations of coherent engines,” said Andrew Schmitt, Directing Analyst, Optical Networking at Cignal AI. “ICE6 should demonstrate similar leadership, with levels of optical performance that deliver greater capacity and reach for network operators.”

“Infinera continues to lead industry innovation with ICE6, delivering the first coherent 800G per wave solution to the market ahead of schedule,” said Dr. Dave Welch, Infinera Founder and Chief Innovation Officer. “Similar to the launch of ICE4, ICE6 will transform the market by delivering cutting-edge technology, designed in house, enabling network operators to respond to the insatiable demand for capacity quickly while optimizing costs.”