World record transmission of 172 Tb/s over 2040km distance coupled-3-core multi-core fiber

– A world record for high-capacity, long-haul transmission in standard diameter optical fibers was achieved in coupled-3-core multi-core fiber with characteristics similar to multi-mode fibers.

– The signal processing complexity is significantly reduced compared to multi-mode fibers.

– The fiber type is promising for early adoption in backbone high-capacity transmission systems as it can be cabled with the same technology.

In a collaboration, led by RADEMACHER Georg between researchers from the Network Systems Research Institute at the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT, President: TOKUDA Hideyuki, Ph.D.) and researchers from NOKIA Bell Labs (Bell Labs, President: WELDON Marcus), led by RYF Roland, transmission of 172 terabit/s over 2,040 km was successfully demonstrated, using a standard outer diameter (0.125 mm) coupled-3-core optical fiber.

Using the product of data-rate and distance as a general index of transmission capacity, we achieved 351 petabit/s x km, more than doubling the current world record in standard outer diameter optical fibers employing space-division multiplexing. The used coupled-core multi-core fiber requires signal processing on the receiving side after transmission, but the signal processing load is less compared to more commonly investigated few-mode fibers. In addition, the used fiber has the same outer diameter as standard optical fibers which allows to convert such a fiber into a cable with existing technologies and equipment, simplifying a timely adoption of coupled-core multi-core fibers in the industry.

The results of this experiment were presented at the 43rd International Conference on Optical Fiber Communications (OFC 2020) where it was accepted as a Post Deadline Paper.

In order to cope with ever-increasing communication traffic, research on new-types of optical fibers that can exceed the limits of conventional optical fibers and large-scale optical transmission experiments using them are actively conducted around the world. In research pursuing ultimate high capacity, multi-core and multi-mode fibers that increase the number of optical fiber cores and transmit optical signals of different modes to each core are being studied. On the other hand, in research aimed at early commercialization, research is being carried out on multi-core or multi-mode optical fibers with a standard outer diameter (0.125 mm) in consideration of manufacturing methods and ease of handling.

NICT constructed a large-capacity, long-distance transmission system based on the results of Bell Labs’ long-distance transmission demonstration experiment using the suppressed modal dispersion characteristics of a coupled-core multi-core fiber. 359 wavelength channels were modulated by 16QAM signals, and a total data-rate of 172 terabits per second was successfully transmitted over 2,040 km. Converted to the product of transmission capacity and distance, which is a general indicator of transmission capacity, 351 petabit per second x km was achieved, which is more than twice the current world record.

When using coupled-core multi-core fibers for transmission, it is necessary to eliminate the interference between optical signals between cores by signal processing (MIMO processing) on the receiving side. To date, transmission over coupled-core multi-core fibers has been performed only in a limited signal band (less than 5 nanometers in wavelength range), and it was unclear whether it is possible to achieve both long-distance transmission characteristics and large-capacity transmission in coupled-core multi-core fibers.

In this experiment, using a standard outside diameter optical fiber, we succeeded in transmitting 17 times the backbone communication capacity of Japan over a distance of 2,040 km. The standard outside diameter optical fiber is compatible with conventional fiber cables, increasing prospects for early commercialization of large-capacity backbone communication systems.

We will work on research and development of future optical communication infrastructure technology that can smoothly accommodate traffic such as 5G-based services and international communications via submarine cables.

The paper on the results of this experiment was published at the 43rd International Conference on Optical Fiber Communication (OFC 2020, March 8 (Sun) – March 12 (Thu)), one of the largest international conferences on optical fiber communication held in San Diego, USA. It was highly evaluated and was presented in the Post Deadline session, known for release of latest important research achievements, and published on Thursday, March 12 2020.

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