High capacity aggregation supporting networks in transition
Recent developments in broadband access for both fixed and mobile networks have all been towards an architecture with points of aggregations located closer to the subscriber. These aggregation points are then back-hauled over high capacity links in a “spine-and-leaf” architecture supporting the steadily growing capacity needs. Irrespectively if you talk about a virtual CMTS architecture for cable TV broadband access, a Distributed Access Architecture (DAA) for 5G mobile, or passive optical access (EPON), the need to incrementally upgrade backhaul capacity in the “second level” of the access network is evident.
In this situation the demand for short and medium, low cost, 100G DWDM solutions is obvious. Additional requirements for extra low latency become especially pronounced in the case of mobile access and the protocols used for 5G base station traffic. And the large number of links and sites make automation and self-provisioning a compulsory feature.