In a collaborative effort from researchers at the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) in Tokyo, and partners from Eindhoven University of Technology and University of L’Aquila, a record breaking 22.9 petabits per second. This accomplishment more than doubles the previous record of 10.66 petabits per second. 

Data transmission is measured in bits per second, and one petabit is equivalent to about 1 million gigabits, and one gigabit is equal to 1,000 megabits. For context, assuming an average home internet speed of 100 megabits per second, one petabit could service 10 billion households per second. 

In a bid to address the escalating demand in data traffic, the researchers explored ‘multiplexing’ technologies using space and wavelength for high data-rate optical fibre communications. 

Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) involves advanced optical fibres containing multiple optical paths within a common cladding, while Wavelength Division Multiplexing enhances total transmission capacity by increasing the bandwidth to accommodate independent Wavelength Division Multiplexed (WDM) data channels.

By utilising a multi-band compatible multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) receiver, the researchers were able to combine multi-band WDM and multi-core SDM for the first time. The measured transmission capacity for each core ranged from around 0.3 to 0.7 petabits per second, resulting in the total transmission capacity of 22.9. 

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This development represents a critical step towards realising future ultra-large-capacity optical fibre communication networks, the researchers emphasise the need for further improvement in the telecommunication infrastructure to meet the expected 1,000 times increase in data traffic demand in the future. 

NICT expresses its commitment to further exploration, including multi-band WDM over large SDM fibres. The research not only sets a new benchmark in optical communication but also charts a course for the evolution of communication networks in the digital age, according to the researchers.