PTX3000 IPLC Description

The integrated photonic line card (IPLC) base module (PTX-IPLC-B-32) is an integrated optical card that provides the combined functionalities of optical multiplexing and demultiplexing, optical amplification, optical equalization, and optical channel monitoring. The IPLC multiplexes and enables amplification of up to 32 individual wavelengths for transmission over single-mode optical fiber (through the add and drop ports on the front panel). The add and drop ports on the front panel of the IPLC connect to compatible dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) PICs or MICs. The wavelengths from the add and drop ports on the IPLC are amplified, monitored, and controlled and then transmitted toward toward the line direction (through the Line IN and Line OUT ports on the front panel). In the reverse direction the received signals from the line are amplified to enable long distance transmission and then demultiplexed into individual wavelengths and sent to the respective add and drop ports on the front panel.

The IPLC expansion module (PTX-IPLC-E-32) is an optical multiplexing and demultiplexing card that interfaces with the IPLC base module to increase the add/drop capacity of the system up to 64 channels.

In a PTX3000 chassis, you can install an IPLC in any of the FPC or PIC slots. The IPLCs install vertically in the front of the PTX3000. Up to 16 IPLCs or 8 base modules and 8 expansion modules are supported in a PTX3000 chassis. Each expansion module must be connected to a base module. The IPLC connects directly to the integrated DWDM PICs/MICs (for example; the P1-PTX-2-100G-WDM or PTX-5-100G-WDM) in the same chassis, or an external chassis through the IPLC front panel add and drop ports. Also, the IPLC can connect to another IPLC in the same chassis through the bi-directional express ports (XPN IN and XPN OUT) to enable an optical bypass function.

The IPLC can also connect to an optical inline amplifier (ILA) in the network to enable transmission across longer spans. See the Optical Inline Amplifier Hardware Guide for more details about the optical ILA.

Figure 1 shows a point-to-point configuration for an IPLC.

Figure 1: Point-to-Point Configuration

In this example, the IPLC in the PTX3000 chassis is connected to compatible PICs in the same chassis through the add and drop ports. The wavelengths from the add and drop ports on the IPLC are multiplexed and then amplified, monitored, and transmitted in a single fiber toward the line (through the Line OUT port on the IPLC) and connected to the IPLC (through the Line IN port) in the remote PTX3000 chassis through the optical ILA . The IPLC connects to the optical ILA through the Line IN and Line OUT ports. The optical ILAs provide periodic amplification of the signal to enable long distance transmission and are typically placed between 50 miles (80 km) and 62 miles (100 km) apart . The signals received by the IPLC in the remote chassis, are demultiplexed into individual wavelengths and sent to the respective add and drop ports (which are connected to the compatible PICs) in that PTX3000 chassis.

For information on configuring the IPLCs, see the Integrated Photonic Line Card (IPLC) Feature Guide.