Researchers at Aston University in the U.K. have achieved a groundbreaking milestone in fiber-optic data transfer speeds. They have successfully reached speeds of 402 terabits per second (Tbps), which is approximately 1.6 million times faster than typical home broadband speeds. This achievement was made possible by utilizing all the wavelength bands available in commercially available fiber-optic cables, as opposed to the usual one or two bands used in most broadband connections.
The research team’s methods and findings were detailed in a technical report published by Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT). This new record speed surpasses the team’s previous record set in March by 25%, when they reached speeds of 301 Tbps using four out of the six wavelength bands in fiber-optic cables.
Ian Phillips, a teaching fellow in electronics and computer engineering at Aston University, emphasized the significance of this breakthrough in expanding the communication capacity of optical infrastructure to meet the growing demand for data services in the future. The team achieved this record speed by developing the world’s first optical transmission system that spans all six wavelength bands used in fiber-optic communications, including O, E, S, C, L, and U.
While current commercial fiber-optic connections primarily utilize the C-band and L-band portions due to their stability and low data loss during transmission, the researchers pointed out that these bands will eventually become saturated due to increased network congestion. This necessitates the exploration and utilization of additional wavelength bands, such as the S-band, E-band, O-band, and U-band, to meet the escalating demands for data transmission.
In previous experiments, the researchers stabilized connections in the E-band portion, which typically experiences high data loss levels due to exposure to hydroxyl (OH) molecules. The new study further advanced by developing equipment to amplify signals in the U-band portions and using off-the-shelf amplifiers for O-band signals. Remarkably, these record-breaking speeds were achieved using standard commercially available fiber-optic cables, eliminating the need for specialized installation.
This breakthrough in fiber-optic data transfer speeds opens up possibilities for significantly enhancing communication capacity and meeting the escalating demands for data services in the future. The research team’s innovative approach in utilizing all wavelength bands in fiber-optic cables showcases the potential for advancing optical communication infrastructure to support the exponential growth in data transmission requirements.
