Xtera Communications has released its subsea Branching Unit (BU).
Branching units are used in submarine cable systems to provide traffic and power routing between the trunk and branch cables.
Xtera has used the supervisory system to allow operators to switch the BU powering simply by sending commands. This, according to the company, avoids the need to disconnect or change the polarity of power feed equipment (PFE) or arrange for synchronized ramping to ensure the desired current flow during re-configuration. There is also circuitry to minimize the effects of current surges, to allow hot-switching and to hold the configuration during a power dip, the company explained.
“We have focused on making the BU robust and easy to use,” said Stuart Barnes , Senior Vice President and General Manager, Xtera Submarine Business. “Our innovative supervisory also makes it possible for a user to check the BU operation via the network management system.”