OPTIMUX

Background

Advancing digitalization and the increasing spread of innovative data-driven applications are leading to a continuous increase in data traffic. The existing network infrastructure is constantly reaching its limits, so there is an urgent need for action to develop a scalable network infrastructure. Fiber optic systems already use various parallel communication channels within an optical fiber, including wavelength multiplexing. The latest developments in fiber optic technology also allow spatial multiplexing, which promises a significant increase in the capacity of the network infrastructure by using several fiber cores and transmission modes.

Objective

As part of the OPTIMUX project, innovative and efficient multiplex solutions for fiber optic networks are being researched. The focus is on the entire transmission path, from the transmitter to the receiver. Various elements are being investigated, including ultra-broadband electronic analog multiplexers for scalable transmitters, innovative amplifiers and multi-core optical fibers. Suitable transmission and equalization methods are also being analysed. The hardware components and processes developed in the project are specifically geared towards space-division multiplex transmission and are to be used in a demonstration of results within an optical transmission system. A further aim is to use manufacturing technologies that are available in Europe.

Innovation potential

The measures of the project aim to achieve decisive progress in the field of space multiplexing. The new hardware has the potential to significantly increase capacities in transmission networks and promote Germany's technological sovereignty by using manufacturing processes available in Europe. In addition, space-division multiplexing (SDM) offers an efficient technology for improving optical data transmission. To further increase the efficiency of these technologies, a higher level of integration is required, including more spatial parallelization in optical fibers.

OPTIMUX is also investigating randomly coupled multicore fibers (RC-MCF), which offer an optimal balance between the number of spatial channels and the quality of the transmission channel. Parallel to the development of SDM technologies, the trend towards transceiver hardware with ever higher symbol rates is also being pursued. Various electronic multiplexing methods are being developed to further increase symbol rates. A central concern of OPTIMUX is the development of new types of electronic analog multiplexers that enable symbol rates of up to 300 GBd. The potential of AMUX hardware is being investigated for its high parallelization capability for SDM transceivers. The project also focuses on the compatibility of SDM transmission systems with RC-MCF and very high symbol rates in order to identify possible signal distortions that could counteract the scaling of data rates with the number of cores.