Researchers in Japan have successfully transmitted a 1.02 petabits (1.02 x 10^6 GB) per second of data over a distance of 1,118 miles using an innovative 19-core optical fiber. This remarkable breakthrough not only sets a new world record but also establishes the groundwork for a future where data transmission meets the escalating demands of AI, virtual reality, and the Internet of Things, Interesting Engineering reported.
For decades, scientists have strived to enhance data transmission speeds through optical fibers. While achieving petabit-per-second speeds is not entirely unprecedented, it has traditionally been constrained to short distances. The challenge has always been to maintain signal strength over long ranges, as signal degradation and interference can impede performance. The Japanese team addressed this by designing a 19-core optical fiber, which significantly increases data-carrying capacity without enlarging the fiber’s diameter.
Breaking distance barriers
This achievement is akin to transforming a single-lane road into a 19-lane superhighway, allowing vast amounts of data to flow simultaneously. Each core operates independently, minimizing interference and maximizing efficiency. To combat signal weakening over extended distances, researchers developed a sophisticated amplification system that ensures simultaneous amplification of each core across different light bands. This was achieved through a network of recirculating loops and a MIMO-based processor, resulting in a data transmission capacity of 1.02 petabits per second over 1,118 miles.
The potential of this 19-core optical fiber technology is immense, with implications extending far beyond mere speed enhancements. Previously, similar fibers were restricted to much shorter transmission distances. However, this new technology has broken previous limits, marking a pivotal step toward revolutionizing the internet infrastructure of tomorrow. As the world transitions into the post-5G era, the demand for robust data highways becomes increasingly urgent, driven by the needs of self-driving cars, real-time VR, and billions of connected devices.
This innovation promises to enable ultra-high-speed networks without requiring changes to existing infrastructure dimensions, easing the path to real-world deployment. The flexibility and practicality of maintaining standard fiber sizes while achieving unprecedented performance are crucial for widespread adoption, presenting a viable solution to the anticipated surge in data traffic.
