Tuesday, May 4, 2021
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EDT)

400ZR/ZR+ transceivers promise to reshape the market, with the ZR/ZR+ concept moving toward 100G and the OIF embarking on new 800G specifications. Meanwhile, there's plenty going on in the data center -- with co-packaged optics suggested as an alternative to pluggables in the future. Panelists on this roundtable will discuss what we can expect and when.

Frank Chang Robert Blum Paul Brooks Jimmy Yu
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (EDT)

More operators will launch 5G rollouts in 2021. What lessons can they take from initial deployments? Which technologies have a role to play? What about testing and connectivity requirements? Our panelists will discuss their experiences.

Sam Leeman Andy Penley John Greene
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM (EDT)

Increasing upstream capacity has become essential in the wake of the pandemic as well as for competitive reasons. But what's the best way to do that efficiently? BTR/Lightwave Editorial Director Stephen Hardy conducts an in-depth interview with Steve Condra, Director of Product Management/Engineering for Teleste Intercept, on the subject.

Steven Condra
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT)

Spurred on by the pandemic, broadband providers are reassessing their network plans to ensure they are well positioned for the future. In many cases, operators are actively deploying and/or seriously considering fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) builds. In many markets, the adage “He Who Builds Fiber First, Wins” applies. This session discusses the factors driving operators to upgrade their networks and looks at the pros and cons of various approaches.

Jeff Brown Jack Burton
Wednesday, May 5, 2021
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EDT)

New transmission technologies promise to increase capacity and efficiency while reducing cost and power consumption. This roundtable will highlight some of the most promising avenues.

Harald Bock Mark Woodworth
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (EDT)

The data center interconnect space continues to evolve rapidly. What will 2021 hold in the way of new technologies and trends? Our speakers will offer insights and predictions.

Run Ron, CDCDP® Vladimir Kozlov Brad Booth
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM (EDT)

OSNR, PD, EVM and more…what does it all mean and how can I validate it? The experts in this chat will help answer your coherent transmission testing questions.

Matt Adams Paul Brooks
Thursday, May 6, 2021
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EDT)

With the pandemic’s end in sight, where do operators stand on their  path toward 10G support? Where should attention be placed first? The panelists on this roundtable will offer perspectives from several viewpoints.

Paul Broadhurst Jay Lee Hanno Narjus Jeff Finkelstein
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (EDT)

The capabilities of 10G PON technology and cable operator requirements appear to be converging. The panelists on this roundtable will discuss the role of 10G PON as part of an overall 10G strategy as well as a vehicle for converged services and 5G support.

Jeff Brown Jeff Heynen Tyler Kilde
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM (EDT)

The industry effort to realize co-packaged optics has recently surged to develop increased network and computing capacities throughout the next decade and as early as 2023 for anticipated 51.2Tb switching. The solutions under consideration bring many new optical connectivity challenges with technical requirements exceeding deployed technologies. This session will cover industry direction, new required technologies, risks and the accompanying standards activity.

Tom Mitcheltree
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT)

The demand for ICT capacity globally continues to increase at an aggressive rate, which has triggered an urgent need for not only 400G but 800G and perhaps 1.6T optical transceivers. These new requirements will require not only high-speed performance but smaller form factors and lower power consumption as well. Ways to achieve these goals have sparked investigations into optical integration and the use of CMOS processes and attracted the attention of such industry forums as IEEE 802.3, OIF, various MSAs, and the Ethernet Alliance, to name a few. This webinar will review the latest status and predict future directions from the technical point of view for high-speed optical transceivers.

Frank Chang