Nistica and NTT Electronics Announce Joint Development Program for High Port-Count Wavelength Selective Switches

Innovative optical component from NTT Electronics and advanced optical module technology from Nistica being commercialized with manufacturing excellence from Fujikura

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. & YOKOHAMA, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nistica, a Fujikura subsidiary supplying agile optical networking solutions, and NTT Electronics (NEL), a global leader in integrated optical and electronics technologies, today announced their entry into twin wavelength selective switches designed for next-generation route-and-select architectures. Nistica, NEL and Fujikura are co-operating in the joint development of multiple twin WSS modules optimized for transmission of 100 Gb/s channels and future super-channel formats at higher capacity. These cost-effective, small form-factor products will be manufactured by Fujikura Fiber Optics Vietnam, Fujikura’s manufacturing subsidiary.

“Cloud computing and video applications are driving high transmission rates and new architectures. As a result, carriers are demanding high-performance, high density, high flexibility, and low-cost solutions. A high-port count WSS with flexible-grid technology is a key building block in meeting their needs.”

“NEL has commercialized optical and electronics components based on key innovations from NTT. Innovation should emerge when different technologies are harmonized. I am expecting that this collaboration will expand the product portfolio of NEL before long” said Dr. Hiroshi Yoshimura, President and Chief Executive Officer, NTT Electronics.

Echoing the sentiment, Takamasa Kato, Chairman of Nistica Board of Directors and Fujikura Executive Vice President, complimented the teams, “Joint development efforts that bring together diverse skills are critical in meeting customer needs. Fujikura’s established manufacturing systems will ease the flow of these high-end optical modules into the market in record time.”

Optical Networking System vendors are demanding building blocks for network nodes that satisfy the upcoming needs for colorless, directionless, contentionless and gridless (CDCG) applications. Several key customers have designed twin WSS modules in their system architectures, and high volume applications are expected in the second half of 2013.

“Nistica’s experience in developing stable low port-count WSS modules, Fujikura’s experience in advanced manufacturing techniques and key technological advances from NEL have enabled the development of high-performance high port-count twin modules that will fit in a single-slot,” remarked Ashish Vengsarkar, CEO of Nistica, “Customers have been impressed with the versatility of these building blocks in various software-defined configurations.”

Daryl Inniss, VP and practice leader, communications components at Ovum, remarked, “Cloud computing and video applications are driving high transmission rates and new architectures. As a result, carriers are demanding high-performance, high density, high flexibility, and low-cost solutions. A high-port count WSS with flexible-grid technology is a key building block in meeting their needs.”

Nistica will demonstrate the operation of twin WSS modules at the Optical Fiber Communications conference (OFC) being held in Anaheim, California, March 18 – 22, 2013. At OFC, Nistica Chief Technology Officer Thomas Strasser will chair a panel on The Future of ROADM Technology: Deployment and Functionality and teach a short course on ROADM Technologies and Network Applications (SC261).

NEL will update the key products and roadmaps of optical and electronic components including WSS produced in collaboration with Nistica for 100G digital-coherent networks at OFC.

About Nistica

Nistica is a global supplier of agile optical modules that simplify, automate and make affordable the delivery of high-bandwidth applications, enabling systems providers across multiple industries to meet ever-increasing demand. Formed in January 2005, Nistica is now a subsidiary of Fujikura, partnering with Texas Instruments and other industry leaders to expand its global reach and scale production. For more information, visit the company website, www.nistica.com.

About NTT Electronics

NTT Electronics is a leading provider of high quality active and passive optical components for telecommunications. As a member of the NTT Group, one of the world's leading telecommunications companies, NTT Electronics develops and supplies products in the areas of photonics, broadband networking, security and digital video. For more information, go to www.ntt-electronics.com.

About Fujikura Limited

Fujikura Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan) is one of Japan's foremost manufactures of electric wire and cables. Since its establishment in 1885, the Company has introduced technologies and products that meet the highest global standards. Their extensive product lineup and expertise are the culmination of more than a century in business, combined with a positive, energetic corporate attitude. In addition to electric wire and cables, today the Company also offers a growing range of products for the information and communications industries, notably optical fibers and fiber-optic components, and such electronic materials and components as electronic wires, flexible printed circuits and so on. For more information, go to www.fujikura.co.jp.