Page 85 - ITU Kaleidoscope 2016
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SPACE DIVISION MULTIPLEXING TECHNOLOGY:
NEXT GENERATION OPTICAL COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
Kazuhide NAKAJIMA, Takashi MATSUI, Kotaro SAITO, Taiji SAKAMOTO, and Noriyuki ARAKI
Access Network Service Systems Laboratories, NTT Corporation
1-7-1, Hanabatake, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0805, Japan
ABSTRACT networks. We then investigate SDM technology in relation
to optical fibre cable. Here, we clarify the potential of a
Space division multiplexing (SDM) is expected to be a key multi-core fibre (MCF) as an SDM medium. After that we
technology both for dealing with the future capacity crunch discuss key stages in the deployment of MCF technology.
facing traditional single-mode fibre (SMF) and for We also introduce some key technologies described in the
realizing a sustainable optical network that can latest reports. Finally, we show that MCF based SDM
accommodate the various data streams originating from, optical wiring is ready for discussion as the next generation
for example, future 5G communication, the Internet of optical communication standard for the near future
things (IoT), and machine to machine (M2M) networks.
This paper describes the potential of SDM as regards 2. WHY SDM?
optical fibre and cable technology. We focus on the
potential of multi-core fibre (MCF), and investigate the The worldwide spread of FTTH and mobile communication
reality of MCF based SDM optical wiring as the first has increased data capacity at a rate of a few tens of percent
example of an SDM application taking the latest research per year. The upcoming 5G service requires a wider
and development into consideration. Finally, we show that bandwidth, and the growing communication network has
MCF based SDM optical fibre cable will be a promising created various data streams including IoT, M2M, sensor
technology for next generation optical networks, and the networks, and connected cars. Therefore, it is true that the
key technology behind MCF based SDM optical wiring is continuing increase in data transmission will cause a
ready for discussion as the near future standard. capacity crunch in existing SMF since its maximum
transmission capacity is limited to around 100 Tbit/s
Keywords— Space division multiplexing (SDM); because of the low loss and optically amplified transmission
Optical fibre and cable; Multi-core fibre (MCF); Optical window [1]. In general terms, the approaching capacity
connector crunch requires either additional optical infrastructure or an
innovative transmission strategy. SDM can be considered a
1. INTRODUCTION fifth physical dimension that can be used with the traditional
dimensions of time, wavelength, frequency and polarization
Data capacity demand has been increasing rapidly against multiplexing technology [2]. Thus, it is easy to imagine that
the background of the worldwide spread of fibre to the SDM can be used as a candidate technology for overcoming
home (FTTH) and mobile networks. The imminent the future capacity crunch.
introduction of 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), and
machine to machine (M2M) communications not only
requires further capacity but also demands a flexible and
sustainable interface with a high-speed optical fibre link.
Over the past ten years, space division multiplexing
(SDM) technology has been investigated intensively mainly
with the aim of increasing the maximum transmission
capacity in an optical fibre. This is because the capacity
demand in the 2020s will potentially exceed the limitation
imposed by conventional single-mode fibre (SMF) [1].
SDM could be the key to realizing both ultra-large capacity
transmission and to solving various problems with current
and future optical networks.
In this paper, we investigate the potential of SDM Figure 1. Schematic image of growing
technology as a new strategy for realizing next generation communication network. FTTH, mobile, 5G, IoT, M2M,
optical networks. In section 2, we will briefly review the sensor network, connected car, and so on increase the data
relationship between SDM technology and various capacity continuously, and require additional interfaces with
objectives that must be met by current and future optical a high-speed optical link.
978-92-61-20431-0/CFP1668P-ART © 2016 ITU – 67 – Kaleidoscope