According to reports, the new record broke the record of the fastest speed of long-distance data transmission previously maintained by the team, namely 172 megabits per second. The team said that the new system is compatible with the existing infrastructure, which means that the network can be easily upgraded because the cables are the same size.
Researchers said that with the increasing demand for Internet infrastructure in various fields, including the faster speed of 5G networks, as well as the Internet of Things and streaming media, this speed is necessary for back-end infrastructure.
In order to achieve amazing high speed, researchers use coupled four-core optical cables to transmit data to four optical fiber tubes instead of just one as usual.
This reduces the long-distance signal distortion, and the new technology is similar to the previous record-setting system, but adds a core.
Then, "wavelength division multiplexing" is used to transmit data. This technology divides the data emitted by the laser into 552 channels and transmits them along four optical fiber cores on a 1864-mile-long optical cable, with an amplifier every 43.5 miles.
The amplifier improves the signal strength and keeps the long-distance transmission loss to the lowest level.
Schematic diagram of wavelength division multiplexing technology.
Unlike earlier amplifiers, these amplifiers added rare earth elements, such as thulium and erbium, because they can excite ions and improve signal strength.
Although the quad-core has an extra cladding, its diameter is the same as that of a standard single-core optical cable. Researchers say it is attractive to adopt this fiber as early as possible in long-distance links in Qualcomm, because it is compatible with traditional cable infrastructure.
Researchers are now working hard to increase the transmission capacity, expand the range and make it faster to meet the potential demand of the post-5G world.