Breaking Boundaries: Transmitting 402 Tb Data Using Fiber Optic Cable

Japanese scientists achieve 402 terabits per second data transmission speed over commercial fiber optics by tapping into previously unused frequency bands.

An international research team led by the Photonic Networking Laboratory of Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) demonstrated an optical transmission bandwidth of 37.6 terahertz (THz), which allows for a record data rate of 402 terabits (Tb) per second over commercially available fiber optics, Interesting Engineering reported on June 27.

The researchers achieved the record by building the first optical transmission system in all bands (OESCLU) of standard fiber optics. The system combines multiple amplification technologies, including six doped fiber amplifiers. The new optical alignment device also enables access to wavelength bands that have never been used in deployed systems. The technology developed by NICT will contribute significantly to expanding the capabilities of optical transmission infrastructure as the demand for data services rapidly increases in the future.

In this experiment, the team expanded dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) to cover all major frequency bands, achieving more than 1,500 parallel channels in a bandwidth of 37.6 THz (275 nm). Together with partners, NICT built the world's first O-to-U-band transmission system, which enables DWDM transmission using standard off-the-shelf optical fiber with custom-designed amplification technology.

The estimated data rate after transmission over 40 km is 402 Tb/s, 25% higher than the previous record, and the bandwidth of 37.6 THz also marks a 35% increase. The experimental results demonstrate the potential of ultra-wideband transmission by applying new amplification and signal processing technology, which can increase the information transmission capacity of optical fibers.

NICT will continue to promote research and development of amplification technology, and develop optical components and fibers to support applications in the near and long term. Researchers also aim to expand the transmission range of ultra-wideband systems with ultra-high power.