APRIL 17, 2009 -- OKI Electric Industry (search Lightwave for OKI) and the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) have announced that OKI has developed a technology to precisely suppress polarization-mode dispersion (PMD). Using a "PMD Suppressor," OKI and NICT say the succeeded in an operational test using a 160-Gbps optical signal. Using this technology, ultra high-speed optical communication not limited to short distances due to PMD can be achieved over existing fiber networks, the parties conclude. The study results are based on NICT's commissioning research.
The research was conducted as part of the "Research and Development on λ (Lambda) Utility Technology," under the auspices of NICT, as part of Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC)'s "Research and Development for Photonic Network Technology." It is estimated that more than 50% of Japan's current optical fiber networks are of a type influenced greatly by PMD.
OKI's PMD suppressor is an optical circuit for restoring PMD-distorted received signal wavelengths to their original form. Using this suppressor, OKI says it succeeded in restoring a wave distorted by PMD to its original form by generating a pseudo PMD in an operational experiment using a 160-Gbps signal. This was achieved by applying OKI's technology to generate an ultra-small optical path difference and technology to monitor the PMD.
OKI says its newly developed technology will prevent transmission distances from being limited by PMD, even at ultra high-speeds. The PMD suppression technology does not depend on the transmission rate, making it advantageous for low power consumption, the company adds. In the future, it can also be applied to other areas, such as for transmission rates exceeding 100 Gbps and for energy-saving use. OKI will continue to work on long-term stability and smaller size for the PMD suppressor and to aim for wider commercialization.
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