The World's First Ultra-dense, 1152-channel Multicore Fiber Link Deployed in a Metro Network

PINE BROOK, N.J. - Feb. 8, 2023 - PRLog -- The World's First Ultra-dense, 1152-channel Multicore Fiber Link Deployed in a Metro Network

Chiral Photonics, along with Fujikura and AFL Hyperscale, have designed, developed and deployed the world's first ultra-dense, space division-multiplexing (SDM) multicore fiber (MCF) link in a conduit of a metro network. Details of this deployment are published in Optics Express Vol. 31, Issue 4, pp. 5794-5800 (2023) (see link below).

Significant increase in bandwidth density is required to overcome conduit congestion in metro networks, reduce weight in aerial and cell tower fiber links, and enable longer and higher bandwidth links between data center or enterprise buildings. SDM cables with the same number of fiber cores as in conventional cables, but with significantly reduced diameters and bend radii, make it possible not only to fit more cables into existing ducts, but also to push cables through conduits of longer length.

This deployment features an O- and C- dual band, 10-mm-diameter, 19-mm bend radius, fiber optic-cable with 288 4-core multicore fibers arranged in 24 200-μm SpiderWeb^® collapsible ribbons. The ribbons are fusion-spliced to 576 fanout devices, which provide conventional single-core interfaces at patch panels at both ends of the link.

Breakthroughs in MCF cable design and fabrication, fanout development and MCF splicing techniques enable deployments that address a wide range of network constraints with a solution that is seamlessly compatible with existing networks.

Optics Express Vol. 31, Issue 4, pp. 5794-5800 (2023) (https://opg.optica.org/oe/fulltext.cfm?uri=oe-31-4-5794&a...)
www.chiralphotonics.com

About Chiral Photonics, Inc. (CPI): CPI, founded in 1999, is a developer and manufacturer of fiber optic components serving a wide array of customers internationally, ranging from communications infrastructure companies to biomedical equipment manufacturers.  CPI's product portfolio includes MCF fiber optic fanouts rigorously tested for submersible applications, enabling submarine cables carrying the vast majority of internet traffic to keep up with ever increasing bandwidth needs. CPI's components also facilitate applications ranging from in-vivo, minimally invasive biomedical diagnostics to real-time monitoring of civil engineering structures to high power lasers used for industrial machining and space communications. CPI's experience in advanced fiber optic design, fabrication and testing allow it to partner with companies to lead critical projects, from novel component developments to fiber link installations.