Fujitsu and KDDI Advance Optical Fiber Capacity with Multiband Wavelength Multiplexing

Fujitsu and KDDI Research have jointly claimed a 'groundbreaking' achievement in optical communication technology. The collaborative effort has resulted in the successful development of a large-capacity multiband wavelength multiplexing transmission technology, utilizing existing optical fiber infrastructure.

This technology enables the transmission of wavelength bands beyond the conventional C band, extending the capabilities of medium- and long-distance commercial optical communications. Leveraging batch wavelength conversion and multiband amplification, the developed technology facilitates wavelength transmission at an impressive 5.2 times the multiplicity of current commercial optical transmission technology.

The key advantage of this innovation lies in its ability to utilize already installed optical fiber facilities, providing a cost-effective and labor-efficient solution to enhance communication traffic. The multiband wavelength multiplexing transmission technology facilitates easier expansion of transmission capacity, particularly in urban and densely populated residential areas where installation challenges exist. Additionally, it holds the potential to significantly reduce service initiation times and overall costs.

This technological success was achieved as part of the "Research and Development Project of the Enhanced Infrastructures for Post-5G Information and Communication Systems," commissioned by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

As demands for services leveraging IoT, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data analysis continue to grow, NEDO's initiative aims to fortify Japan's development and manufacturing base for post-5G information and communication systems. Fujitsu and KDDI Research, under this project, focused on enhancing the performance of post-5G optical networks.

Traditionally, commercial optical fiber communication networks have utilized single-mode fibers in the C band (wavelength band: 1,530 nm to 1,565 nm) for signal transmission. However, with the anticipated surge in communication traffic, the C band alone may not suffice. The collaborative effort between Fujitsu and KDDI Research aims to overcome this limitation by extending the wavelength band used from the C band to include the L band, S band, U band, and O band, thereby achieving a multi-band solution to enhance transmission capacity per fiber.

This technological breakthrough holds promise for the continued evolution of optical communication systems, unlocking new possibilities for increased data transmission efficiency and network expansion.