IEEE P802.3cw 400 Gb/s over DWDM Systems Task Force Update
IEEE Std 802.3cw™: “Physical Layers and Management Parameters for 400 Gb/s Operation over DWDM systems” is currently under development by the IEEE P802.3cw 400 Gb/s over DWDM Systems Task Force and anticipated to publish in September, 2024.
Summary: Mobile backhaul applications are demanding increased bandwidth capacity at reaches beyond 40 km. This amendment will define one Physical Layer (PHY) specification and management parameters for 400 Gb/s operation over a DWDM system.
400GBASE-ZR: 400 Gb/s dense wavelength-division multiplexed (DWDM) DP‑16QAM serial transmission over 2 single‑mode optical fibers, with reach up to at least 80 km
The Project Objectives, approved on November 15, 2018, are as follows:
Non-Rate Specific:
- Supports full-duplex operation only
- Preserves the Ethernet frame format utilizing the Ethernet MAC
- Preserves minimum and maximum FrameSize of current IEEE 802.3 standard
- Provides appropriate support for optical transport networks (OTNs)
400 Gb/s Related:
- Supports a MAC data rate of 400 Gb/s
- Supports a BER of better than or equal to 10-13 at the MAC/PLS service interface (or the frame loss ratio equivalent)
- Provides a physical layer specification supporting 400 Gb/s operation on a single wavelength capable of at least 80 km over a DWDM SMF system