Harmonic Unveils CWDM Gear

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- Harmonic Inc. (Nasdaq:HLIT - News), a global leader in hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) and fiber-deep solutions for cable and telecom operators, today announced new coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) digital transmission solutions that scale the return path bandwidth an operator can provide from the home. The new NDT 3140 family of transmitters in combination with the new RDR 4002 receiver maximize network capacity to support the growing demand for interactive applications and, at the same time, reduce the cost of provisioning such services.

On a global basis, high speed data subscribers are quickly moving beyond simple web browsing to embrace emerging services such as IP telephony, video conferencing and video email. Industry analysts suggest these and other peer-to-peer applications now account for as much as 70 percent of the residential bandwidth use. Cable operators are pursuing these new opportunities by restructuring and scaling the available bandwidth through network segmentation, a process whereby existing service groups are subdivided into smaller clusters of subscribers.

Harmonic's new digital return solution, which uses both time division multiplexing (TDM) and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technologies, enables operators to efficiently expand upstream capacity from the home while leveraging the established HFC infrastructure to the fullest possible extent and minimizing the need for costly fiber construction. In addition, using the Harmonic solution, operators may also cost-effectively implement redundant paths to increase service availability.

"In support of emerging service requirements and competition, cable operators around the world are increasing the end-to-end capacity and reliability of their networks," said Amy Arden, Distribution Optics Product Manager for the Broadband Access Networks Division of Harmonic Inc. "At the headend, operators are using Harmonic's high-performance DiviCom® encoders and DiviTrack(TM) closed-loop statistical multiplexing system to reclaim downstream capacity for HDTV, VOD and other value-added services. In tandem, they are segmenting their hub-to-home networks using Harmonic's PWRBlazer(TM) nodes and WDM transmission systems to open up bandwidth for even higher speed Internet access and next-generation interactive services. Harmonic's new digital return solution facilitates the network segmentation process, provides scalable upstream capacity for bandwidth-intensive applications and enables redundant architectures that ensure the highest levels of network availability."

Harmonic Inc.