Nokia Siemens Networks 
has joined the European Commission’s GALACTICO project, which is focused on developing coherent optical communication systems for high-speed Ethernet. The three-year research program aims to uniquely blend three of the most established integration materials — InP (Indium Phosphide), GaAs (Gallium Arsenide), and Si (Silicon) — on a common silicon-based platform to address the high-performance, volume production and low-cost requirements of the next generation of GbE, and eventually Terabit, optical transponders. The GALACTICO consortium includes nine partners comprising university research centers and leading companies from several European countries.
“Currently system vendors require their own photonic integration technology to deliver a practical and economically feasible 100 GbE system solution,” said Lars Zimmermann, project coordinator of GALACTICO. “Our project aims to develop low-cost and small size 100 GbE interfaces, and provide integrated coherent transmitters and receivers that deliver a massive amount of aggregate bandwidth.”
“We have been at the forefront of the transition from 10 and 40 gigabit per second (Gbps) networks to 100G and beyond,” said, Uwe Fischer, head of optical networks product management at Nokia Siemens Networks. “It’s no wonder that when the project GALACTICO was initiated, we came forward to lend our expertise. With our expertise in the optical transport domain, we will provide specifications for the components to be developed as well as participate in the ensuing lab demos and field trials.”
About GALACTICOhttp://www.nsn.com http://www.ict-galactico.eu/
