Periodic Reporting for period 3 - IPT-Core (New dimension of fibre optics – bringing 5G to your town with IPT-Core)
Período documentado: 2022-01-01 hasta 2023-03-31
The introduction of the fifth mobile network generation (5G) designed to support the IoT and AI generated big data, will transform the way we communicate and work, not only by interconnecting people but also machines, vehicles, etc. This, will place an unprecedented demand on the wired infrastructure, therefore accelerating the need for highspeed optical connections.
Nowadays, the main transmission medium is the optical fiber. However, there are still limitations associated with this technology in terms of capacity and space. The current fiber infrastructure cannot continue to support the foreseen demand without an upgrade. The most obvious way to increase the network capacity is to deploy cables with higher fiber count. However, this approach does not comply with the end users demand for "cost per bit” reduction. Furthermore, in many areas, the existing infrastructure can no longer accommodate an increased number of optical fiber cables.
The most promising approaches for communication systems is called Space Division Multiplexing, which utilizes multiple cores and/or modes as independent ‘spatial’ channels in a single fiber. This technology meet the demand of increasing capacity without increasing the amount of cable while simultaneously reducing installation costs and subsequently cost/bit. In this context, multicore single-mode fibers are foreseen as the key enablers of the new generation transmission systems.
Within the IPT-Core project we developed a technology that uses seven cores in a single microstructured fiber as separate spatial channels, which provides 7 times more capacity in the same space as in a standard optical fiber link. This project also contributed to the development of Fan-In/Fan-Out (FIFO) components to address each core independently and effectively provide the functionality of 7 fibers within a single fiber. In the approach we used for the IPT-Core, each single-mode core complies with the ITU-T G.652 recommendation so that well-developed transmission techniques can be used effectively. This provides a cost-effective replacement for target customers such as 5G operators, providers of FTTx services, and data centres. The company is on the way to becoming the world’s first mass-scale multicore optical fibre supplier in line with telecom standards. The outcome of the IPT-Core Project places InPhoTech amongst the most developed companies in the field of multicore optical fiber (MCF) technology and creates a chance to be an important supplier on the global market.
The project and the support received from the H2020 programme have contributed to achieving the following objectives:
1. Successful manufacturing of 10km of IPT-CORE optical fiber
2. Successful manufacturing of state of the art low loss fan-in/fan-out components
3. Numerous successful demonstrations of the solution to clients and target users
4. Building an efficient foundation for commercialization
Nowadays, the main transmission medium is the optical fiber. However, there are still limitations associated with this technology in terms of capacity and space. The current fiber infrastructure cannot continue to support the foreseen demand without an upgrade. The most obvious way to increase the network capacity is to deploy cables with higher fiber count. However, this approach does not comply with the end users demand for "cost per bit” reduction. Furthermore, in many areas, the existing infrastructure can no longer accommodate an increased number of optical fiber cables.
The most promising approaches for communication systems is called Space Division Multiplexing, which utilizes multiple cores and/or modes as independent ‘spatial’ channels in a single fiber. This technology meet the demand of increasing capacity without increasing the amount of cable while simultaneously reducing installation costs and subsequently cost/bit. In this context, multicore single-mode fibers are foreseen as the key enablers of the new generation transmission systems.
Within the IPT-Core project we developed a technology that uses seven cores in a single microstructured fiber as separate spatial channels, which provides 7 times more capacity in the same space as in a standard optical fiber link. This project also contributed to the development of Fan-In/Fan-Out (FIFO) components to address each core independently and effectively provide the functionality of 7 fibers within a single fiber. In the approach we used for the IPT-Core, each single-mode core complies with the ITU-T G.652 recommendation so that well-developed transmission techniques can be used effectively. This provides a cost-effective replacement for target customers such as 5G operators, providers of FTTx services, and data centres. The company is on the way to becoming the world’s first mass-scale multicore optical fibre supplier in line with telecom standards. The outcome of the IPT-Core Project places InPhoTech amongst the most developed companies in the field of multicore optical fiber (MCF) technology and creates a chance to be an important supplier on the global market.
The project and the support received from the H2020 programme have contributed to achieving the following objectives:
1. Successful manufacturing of 10km of IPT-CORE optical fiber
2. Successful manufacturing of state of the art low loss fan-in/fan-out components
3. Numerous successful demonstrations of the solution to clients and target users
4. Building an efficient foundation for commercialization
The work performed from the beginning of the project led to reaching all of the planned outputs. These are the key achievements of the IPT-Core project:
1. Through multiple technological iterations within WP1 and WP2 we developed complete manufacturing processes of both multicore fiber FIFO components. The tasks ended with manufacturing MCF span of 10 km and series of FIFOs for environmental and transmission tests, which is one of the main results and achievements of the project.
2. Whitin the WP3 we developed suitable testing procedures for our innovative product and verified that we meet planned success criteria.
3. We performed two external system tests with network operators and a global manufacturer of state of the art optical transmission equipment presenting record transmission of 11.2 and 22.4 Tb/s (5.6 Tb/s/fiber in a single wavelength channel).
4. The WP4 led to numerous in-house MCF demonstrations and a successful MCF installation in a production facility.
Within commercialization and dissemination work packages we have developed business and communication plans and the go-to-market strategies, which were then revised and updated with the support of advisors and experts in the field. Actions were taken for the correct development of the product and its first steps to enter the market. Besides, an active participation in communication and dissemination activities were carried out. Among others, we have participated in online and offline conferences, workshops and webinars. Furthermore, we have kept sharing our latest news and achievements through our social media accounts, webpage and newsletter. Additionally, we have announced our greatest achievements via press releases, and through our partners’ networks, obtaining a global outreach. Our dissemination activities together with focused business development actions created substantial business relations with great prospects for the commercialization of our technology
1. Through multiple technological iterations within WP1 and WP2 we developed complete manufacturing processes of both multicore fiber FIFO components. The tasks ended with manufacturing MCF span of 10 km and series of FIFOs for environmental and transmission tests, which is one of the main results and achievements of the project.
2. Whitin the WP3 we developed suitable testing procedures for our innovative product and verified that we meet planned success criteria.
3. We performed two external system tests with network operators and a global manufacturer of state of the art optical transmission equipment presenting record transmission of 11.2 and 22.4 Tb/s (5.6 Tb/s/fiber in a single wavelength channel).
4. The WP4 led to numerous in-house MCF demonstrations and a successful MCF installation in a production facility.
Within commercialization and dissemination work packages we have developed business and communication plans and the go-to-market strategies, which were then revised and updated with the support of advisors and experts in the field. Actions were taken for the correct development of the product and its first steps to enter the market. Besides, an active participation in communication and dissemination activities were carried out. Among others, we have participated in online and offline conferences, workshops and webinars. Furthermore, we have kept sharing our latest news and achievements through our social media accounts, webpage and newsletter. Additionally, we have announced our greatest achievements via press releases, and through our partners’ networks, obtaining a global outreach. Our dissemination activities together with focused business development actions created substantial business relations with great prospects for the commercialization of our technology
The state-of-the- art standard single mode fiber (SMF) has a diameter of 250 µm and consists of a single core (channel) for transmitting information. Our multicore fiber (MCF) has the same outer diameter, but it contains 7 separated cores, which implies that 7 times more capacity can be served in the same fiber size. The biggest innovativeness of our MCF design is the presence of airholes, which provide a better cross-talk and macro bend insensitiveness than other MCFs available on the market. This technical superiority of InPhoTech’s MCF will allow for a higher market price. We are aware that the market needs a mass scale product, and therefore, the price should be competitive with the standard optical fibers as well. Therefore, based on the outcomes of the project, we are further developing the process of the fiber mass production and building a facility capable to manufacture fiber in mass quantities.
In terms of societal implications, during the last several years, a significant rise in Internet traffic and bandwidth usage has been observed around the globe because of the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 and rapid raise of AI applications. After the pandemic countermeasures were introduced, the usage of internet spiked and rose on average by about +50% worldwide. In the majority of countries this resulted in a decrease of the download speed. As a result, major content providers reduced the quality of their content. Additionally, the transition to work-from-anywhere standards has also shown that a quick migration to 5G technologies is crucial. Companies and employees have experienced the benefits of remote working, and they are moving online in a great extent. Therefore, infrastructure operators need to invest in new links that can cope with nowadays bandwidth and coverage demands. Thanks to the progress achieved within the H2020 project, InPhoTech’s MCF - IPT-Core fiber can play a key role facilitating a faster transition to the current reality requirements. By using our technology, it will be possible to respond effectively to the growing demand for bandwidth and the needs of Internet users.
These are the key technological achievements of the IPT-Core project:
1. Production of a 10km section of hole-assisted multicore fiber
2. Record-breaking data transmission demonstration
3. Validating our hole-assisted MCF design in terms of extreme bend insensitivity and resistance to eavesdropping
4. Creating low loss and reliable fan-out components
In terms of societal implications, during the last several years, a significant rise in Internet traffic and bandwidth usage has been observed around the globe because of the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 and rapid raise of AI applications. After the pandemic countermeasures were introduced, the usage of internet spiked and rose on average by about +50% worldwide. In the majority of countries this resulted in a decrease of the download speed. As a result, major content providers reduced the quality of their content. Additionally, the transition to work-from-anywhere standards has also shown that a quick migration to 5G technologies is crucial. Companies and employees have experienced the benefits of remote working, and they are moving online in a great extent. Therefore, infrastructure operators need to invest in new links that can cope with nowadays bandwidth and coverage demands. Thanks to the progress achieved within the H2020 project, InPhoTech’s MCF - IPT-Core fiber can play a key role facilitating a faster transition to the current reality requirements. By using our technology, it will be possible to respond effectively to the growing demand for bandwidth and the needs of Internet users.
These are the key technological achievements of the IPT-Core project:
1. Production of a 10km section of hole-assisted multicore fiber
2. Record-breaking data transmission demonstration
3. Validating our hole-assisted MCF design in terms of extreme bend insensitivity and resistance to eavesdropping
4. Creating low loss and reliable fan-out components