UK scientists turn existing fibre up to 20Gbits/sec

 

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By Stewart Mitchell

Posted on 6 Nov 2012 at 17:30

Researchers at Bangor University have developed a way to super-charge fibre in a move that could boost broadband speeds on the UK's networks within years.

Using a technique called Optical Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OOFDM), the scientists say they can push far more data down existing fibre without dramatically inflating costs, making it ideal for ramping up end-user access networks that deliver home broadband.

The technique effectively enables carriers to push more data down the same pipe, with the researchers claiming the technique has “the fastest transmission speed and highest cost-effectiveness compared to all existing technologies”.

“You could use this to increase the capacity on fibre to the home broadband networks – the access networks - that are already connecting homes and businesses to the network and it's basically using fibre optic technology,” said Roger Giddings, lead researcher on the project.

In our latest demonstration we've demonstrated 20Gbits/sec, which is well ahead of current capabilities

The system would require new transceivers at each end of a fibre line which would then be able to speed data into homes.

“We're working on a small module that would sit with the operator in the exchange and they could swap the module in. Then in the home you'd have another transceiver there,” said Giddings.

“In our latest demonstration we've demonstrated 20Gbits/sec, which is well ahead of current capabilities and we think if we use slightly different components we can push that to 40Gbits/sec.”

One year into a three-year project, the concept is still in search of a technical standard before it could be offered to commercial partners, although the scientists are already working with industry to see how the developments could be incorporated into hardware, and within budgets and power-consumption constraints.

“We're building the transceiver and then system builders would build that into their systems, and people are looking at how we can do that," Giddings said.