Project achieves record breaking data transmission rate

On Coriant’s testbed facility, scientists and engineers collaborating within the MODE-GAP project have achieved a data transmission rate of 57.6Tbps (gross rate of 73.7Tbps) over hollow core optical fibre. This data transmission rate 50 times faster than the previous record. In other areas of its work in pushing high capacity transmission networks, the project has made other world firsts, including the first field trial of SDM with live traffic. 

The record, which was previously acknowledged at the OFC conference in March, has followed a number of records achieved by MODE-GAP. In recent years, record transmission results over hollow core photonic band gap fibres for transmission in the 2000nm region have been achieved by the project. MODE-GAP also achieved success in the areas of Spatial Division Multiplexing (SDM) multimode fibres, from basic fibre and components development through to subsystems and full system validation.

The project has been extended for a further six months, highlighting it's success. With a primary goal of increasing the traffic handling capability of optical networks, MODE-GAP will continue to explore solutions to develop the next generation internet infrastructure.

Project Manager Dr. Ian Giles, says: “We are delighted that the work has achieved something so ground-breaking by potentially increasing the capacity of broadband core networks. The project is addressing several possible architecture solutions for SDM including the use of hollow core fibre, which is perhaps one of the more advanced approaches. All of the partners contributed to the record results and recognition of this project, with an official Guinness World Record confirms the value of collaborative R&D projects for Europe.”

Professor David Richardson, Optoelectronics Research Centre at University of Southampton, says: “The MODE-GAP project has exceeded expectations in terms of technological innovation and breakthroughs. MODE-GAP has shown the potential of hollow core photonic band gap fibres to compete with conventional solid core fibre for telecommunications applications. With this wealth of knowledge and the recognised success from the Guinness World record, we are confident that our research will continue to produce many more achievements.”

Richardson continues: “Hollow core photonic band gap fibres provide a significant potential solution towards increasing transmission capacity through higher optical amplification bandwidth and virtually non-existing nonlinear distortions. With the combination of SDM technology, hollow core fibres could increase capacity 100 times greater than current infrastructure systems. Low latency characteristics also give potential in time of flight critical data network scenarios. The Guinness record is a testament to the success of the project.”