With 319 Tb / s, the researchers explode the fiber optic speed record

In caseInternational Conference on Optical Fiber and Communications, Japanese researchers National Institute of Information and Communication Technology (NIICT) provided fascinating work: they were able to convert data at a shocking rate 319 terabits per second 3 km After all, their technology is as compatible as modern fiber optic networks; We may be at the dawn of a small revolution.

This figure is almost like an entry error, but it is not. Previous post a Fixed diameter optical fiber, Established at 178 Tb / s in 2020, simply decomposed. By comparison, fiber optic packages offered by operators to the general public can reach a maximum of 10GB / V. To achieve the speed proposed by the Japanese team, it is necessary to accumulate approximately 32,000 high-fiber boxes. It will download more than this 300 movies in 4K… every second.

Already known technique

However, these violating programs were not conditioned by a new revolutionary object; They are based on the same fiber optic technology that already exists in our infrastructure. Instead of using a single fiber optic channel, the research team “Wavelength-Section Multiplexing“, Or WMD.

The idea is based on a combination of several “cores” of optical fiber. Thanks to this device, the signal can be distributed over different bands simultaneously. This avoids having to bear all the load on a single fiber, which in particular creates interruptions. It is like the exceptional convoy of many vehicles, each one part of a gigantic engine; Each vehicle creates less traffic jams (interruption) and gets to its destination faster.

To achieve this record speed, Japanese researchers used optical fiber with four “cores” and a third “highway” for the signal; In addition to the two commonly used in this type of application, they also used the S-band. Before coming to the normal multiplication process they subjected the signal to two new types of multipliers (we are talkingMultiplication de Raman).

Technology that applies to the “short term”

As mentioned below, the most disturbing part of this job is its practical potential. The outer diameter of the fibers proposed by the panel Strictly similar to a standard fiber optic cable. This has a huge impact. To move from current networks to this type of technology, it is not necessary to change the entire infrastructure; The new is compatible with the old.

Of course, there are technologies with very high climbing capabilities. In 2017, Rens started-up CAILabs Provided with technology for a Japanese operator, which was able to reach speeds of… 10 pbit / s. This is several dozen times faster than the global internet speed. But these are not suitable for bulky cables, 19 cores and existing networks. This type of technology can only be used in important cases. NIICD, on the other hand, applies directly to the current network.

For researchers, this is the most important aspect.Demonstrates the ability of stable compatible fibers in short-term operation of high-speed fiber networks”. Incredibly, the crazy speed we approach today may seem ridiculous much faster than you think!