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Wireline
OTN, B100G OTN, and FlexO
FPGA-based Virtual ASSPs for OTN, Beyond-100G, and FlexO transport up to 800G.
Universal Transport for Optical Networks
OTN from the ITU-T is the universal protocol for combining and transmitting multiple communication signals over a common optical signal for DWDM networks, offering extensive OAM features, stable latency, and fast protection.
Beyond-100G OTN (B100G) allows transmission up to 800 Gbps, and the Flexible OTN extension (FlexO) lets B100G OTN use optical modules designed for Ethernet, with FPGA (re)programmability shifting between protocols without interrupting traffic.
The Challenges, and Why FPGA
The Challenge
Multi-Operator Interoperation
OTN networks must interoperate between optical networks of different operators.
Why FPGA
Universal OTN Protocol Support
FPGA-based Virtual ASSPs implement the universal OTN protocol for DWDM networks.
The Challenge
Beyond-100G Scaling
Networks need to scale transmission up to 800 Gbps and beyond.
Why FPGA
B100G & FlexO Support
B100G OTN and FlexO extensions scale transmission using Ethernet optics.
The Challenge
In-Field Protocol Changes
Operators need to shift protocols without interrupting existing traffic.
Why FPGA
Partial Reconfiguration
Shift between protocols on some interfaces without interrupting others.
Why Altera
10 Gbps to Multi-Tbps Range
A wide range of FPGAs covers OTN solutions from 10 Gbps to multi-Tbps.
High Frequency at High Utilization
Efficient solutions in size and development effort even at high utilization.
Field-Proven IP Library
A large library of ready-made IP cores builds complete virtual ASSP solutions.
Remote In-Field Updates
Remotely update for new services, features, or standard extensions.
Get Started
More Wireline Applications
NFVi
FPGAs bring hardware acceleration to Network Functions Virtualization Infrastructure.
End-to-End Security
Line-rate Crypto including MACsec and IPsec, plus post-quantum support on Agilex® FPGAs, from access to core, with security you can update in the field.
Gateway
FPGAs implement flexible, reconfigurable hardware acceleration for network gateways.
Routing/Switching Overlay
FPGAs power high-speed routing and switching with integrated crypto and memory.
Flex Ethernet (FlexE) and MTN
FPGAs implement FlexE and MTN to turn Ethernet into a flexible multichannel link.
Private Line Emulation (PLE)
FPGAs enable bit-level transparent OTN transport over IP and Ethernet networks.
EPON-GPON / 10G / 25-50G PON
FPGAs implement scalable OLT MAC solutions from GPON to 50G Asymmetric PON.
Common Questions
OTN combines different communication signals into a common optical transport signal for DWDM networks and interoperation between operators. It provides OAM functions, stable latency and protection features, making it useful when multiple client services need structured transport rather than independent optical links.
B100G OTN extends the transport hierarchy beyond 100G, while FlexO provides flexible interfaces that let it use suitable optical modules designed for Ethernet. The documented solutions reach 800G; module selection must account for OTN data rates rather than assume they are identical to Ethernet rates.
Use an add/drop multiplexer when services need flexible mapping and addition or removal along the transport path. A muxponder combines client services onto a line interface. The documented 800G ADM targets 10–400G client services, providing a concrete starting point for evaluating the required mapping architecture. Explore 800G OTN add/drop multiplexer design
Partial reconfiguration changes a selected region while the rest of the FPGA design continues operating. For OTN, this can support protocol changes on selected interfaces while leaving others active. It does not establish uninterrupted traffic on the interface being changed or for every full-device update.
An OTN virtual ASSP combines programmable hardware with ready-made IP for client mapping, framing and transport functions. The muxponder and ADM resources provide implementation examples, allowing engineers to start from an existing architecture and tailor the supported interfaces and processing to their optical network requirements. Explore 800G OTN muxponder implementation