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NEC Launches the World's First Fanless Optical Transmission Equipment, SpectralWave WX-E Series ETM54C
- Enabling Energy-Efficient and Space-Optimized Data Center Interconnection -Tokyo, January 16, 2026 – NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) today announced the shipment of the "SpectralWave WX-E Series ETM54C," a compact, open-specification optical transmission device for data centers. As a part of the NEC Open Optical Solution, this launch represents a significant step towards the realization of all-optical networks.
The SpectralWave WX-E Series ETM54C is the world's first optical transmission equipment to feature a fanless design (*) and consumes less power when compared to conventional products with similar specifications. Furthermore, it maintains a 1U height while reducing its width by 50%, enabling significant space savings. Together, these features contribute to more efficient, high-performance data center interconnection.
Key features of the SpectralWave WX-E Series ETM54C:
- Low Power Consumption enabled by a Fanless Design: By adopting low-power components, optimizing power supply circuits, and refining the heat sink shape and internal design, NEC has successfully implemented a natural convection cooling mechanism (fanless) that was previously not feasible. This innovation reduces power consumption compared to general products with similar specifications. In addition, the fanless design also reduces mechanical components, lowering the risk of failure and helping to reduced maintenance costs.
- Space-Saving Design with 1U Half-Width Size: Functions and performance have been optimized for small-scale edge data centers, and compact components have been adopted to achieve a half-width size while maintaining a 1U height. This reduces rack space requirements by 50%, enabling high-density installation and contributing to lower operational costs.
- Large-Capacity Transmission of up to 54 Waves (400Gbps): By bundling 54 wavelengths of optical signals, each transmitting at 400Gbps, a total large-capacity transmission of 21.6Tbps is achieved, enabling efficient, high-volume data transmission between data centers.
- Compliance with Open Standard Specifications: The device complies with open standard specifications such as OpenROADM and OpenZR+, enabling interoperability in multi-vendor network environments.
Some of the research underlying this development was obtained through a grant project (JPJ012368C50301) and commissioned research (JPJ012368C09001) conducted by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT).
Going forward, NEC will continue to contribute to the realization of diverse digital services and a carbon-neutral society by providing the WX Series, which achieves large-capacity transmission, low latency, and low power consumption.
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Note:
- (*)World's first fanless DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) optical transmission equipment, according to NEC research as of January 16, 2026.
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