HICKORY, N.C. -- Corning Cable Systems LLC, part of Corning Incorporated’s (NYSE:GLW) Telecommunications segment, announces that its Plug & Play™ Universal Systems are 100G Ethernet ready, capable of reliably supporting transmission speeds up to 100G with laser optimized 50um multimode fiber (OM3 fiber).

The requirement for higher data rates is being driven by many factors, including video applications, virtualization and convergence. This increased bandwidth demand will require the migration from 10G, to 40G and 100G, evidenced by the IEEE’s recent approval of a task force to develop guidance for 40G and 100G Ethernet data rates. Corning Cable Systems has completed testing to provide assurance that the deployment of its Plug & Play Universal Systems today will support the migration path to 100G Ethernet in accordance with the IEEE 802.3ba Standard.

For data rates of 40G and 100G Ethernet over OM3 fiber, parallel optics will be the predominant transmission method. Parallel optic technology multiplexes or divides a high-data-rate signal into multiple signals that are simultaneously transmitted over several optical fibers. At the receiver, the signals are de-multiplexed or combined into the original high-data-rate signal. A traditional link in the data center includes an MTP®-terminated trunk with modules or harnesses on each end to transition from MTP connectivity to single-fiber connectors for patching into the electronics. With parallel optic transmission, MTP connectors will be used not only within the link, but also on the electronics ports. When 100G systems are implemented, the modules and harnesses used with MTP-terminated Plug & Play Universal Systems trunks today can be exchanged for MTP-terminated patch cords for a complete channel using Corning Cable Systems components, providing ease of migration to parallel optics.

Considerations for 100G ready performance include parameters such as skew, bandwidth and channel loss. The IEEE Project Authorization Request and objectives for 40 and 100 Gigabit Ethernet specify a minimum distance of 100 meters over OM3 fiber. To ensure that its product is 100G ready for distances beyond those stated in the objectives, Corning Cable Systems completed skew testing for distances of 300 meters on its Plug & Play Universal Systems’ trunks.

Corning Cable Systems LLC (CCS)