Hi Ray,
I agree that MEMS is worth watching closely as the potential is enormous. However, the manufacturing kinks appear to be substantial and need to be ironed out, and there will always be the reliability issue of moving parts...alignment, fatigue etc. Perhaps some of this will be addressed by autoprovisioning on failure through intelligent electronics and software.
I see the MEMS approach and the hybrid MEMS/electronic fabric switch as second generation optical switch gear. For the here and now, Ciena has an outstanding first-to-market product that is based on ASIC chips capable of 40 G, with great scalability, and future accomodation of the passive optical components,...the mirrors, diffraction gratings, or whatever.
I agree that the Calient switch is fascinating.
The Nanovation switch appears to offer promise as a third generation product.
The market for these switching products is immense. So it does bear close watching.
Regards,
Jack Hutchison |
