An intuitive graphical approach to link design

19th March 2015

Nat Bowers

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VPIphotonics has announced VPIlinkDesigner as a replacement for, and enhancement to, the usual tedious manual network design. While enabling the placement of photonic items such as EDFAs and dispersion compensating elements, VPIlinkDesigner provides performance analysis every step of the way. Thus, the user obtains an instant calculation of numerous performance metrics for each channel, as elements are placed in the design.

The collection of metrics far exceeds that of any spreadsheet analysis and includes power, dispersion and OSNR as well as SPM, XPM, FWM and SBS. Macros which assist in various aspects of the design are included, such as equalisation, padding and gain setting for EDFAs, placement of OADMs/ROADMs and transceivers and a tool for creating regeneration points.

VPIlinkDesigner is simple and intuitive and yet it is well suited to handling everything from a simple point to point link to a network consisting of a collection of interconnected rings. Design topologies such as linear, branched, mesh and rings are all supported. Networks consisting of a large number of nodes and repeater huts are designed in a small fraction of the usual time.

This tool allows the user to build a library of network elements which can be placed by dragging and dropping them into a design. Furthermore, VPIlinkDesigner includes templates for all of the usual optical components that comprise optical networks today, from attenuators to WSS-based ROADMs. Because of the constant changes in optical communications, VPIlinkDesigner is designed to be technology agnostic. VPIlinkDesigner assists in the complete design process by including built-in tools that create customisable performance reports, as well as BOMs.

Users of VPIlinkDesigner who begin to experience greatly increased traffic demand may also require more extensive network simulation. These users will find it easy and seamless to upgrade to the existing VPIlinkConfigurator tool. Both VPIlinkConfigurator and VPIlinkDesigner operate on the same GUI.

For more information, and for a demo, visit VPIphotonics in booth 1101 at OFC 2015, 24th to 26th March in Los Angeles.