Fujitsu Network Communications is collaborating with Indiana University (IU) on research about the effects that Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD) can have on specific wavelengths traveling at 40 Gbps or more. Specifically, the Global Research Network Operations Center (GRNOC) of IU is providing dark fiber between Indianapolis and Bloomington, Indiana, plus access to patch panels, electrical power, the Internet, and physical space to conduct the tests. Fujitsu and IU collaborated on the test plan to ensure that collected data can be used to influence future optical networking research and commercial products. Fujitsu researchers have conducted tests over a seven month period (with at least five more months of experiments planned), and IU is supporting the configuration changes during the testing phase. Fujitsu and IU are examining the test results, and have co-authored several technical papers about their findings, including one that was presented at the recent OFC/NFOEC conference and exhibition in San Diego, and one that will be presented at the OECC/ACOFT 2008 conference in Australia. Additional results will be presented at the upcoming Internet2 Joint Techs Workshop in July 2008.
Fujitsu said this collaboration with Indiana University, which was facilitated by their active involvement with Internet2, will be the model for future research networking experiments with other Research & Education (R&E) institutions.
http://us.fujitsu.com/telecomhttp://globalnoc.iu.edu/
