lyntia Networks, Nokia, OFS | Furukawa Solutions and Digital Realty conduct hollow core fiber tests

lyntia, Nokia, OFS | Furukawa Solutions and Digital Realty (Interxion) completed a field trial to implement and demonstrate the potential of hollow core fiber technology.

By guiding light within a hollow core, light travels almost 46% faster than in conventional solid-core optical fibers, resulting in lower latency transmission, according to the group.

Also, the reduced interaction between the optical signal and the fiber structure enables higher power to be transmitted.

Confirming feasibility

Before the four companies conducted a live trial, the group conducted pilot tests in a laboratory in Paris by optical network experts from Nokia Bell Labs. Nokia also provided the transmission equipment and field and lab testing. According to the four companies, the initial results showed a significant reduction in latency by more than 30% and a considerable decrease in non-linear effects compared to traditional optical fiber.

The pilot tests in Paris, which demonstrated data rates of 800 Gbps and 1.2 Tbps, show that hollow fibers have the potential to break through the non-linear Shannon capacity limit of solid-core fibers.

The recently completed field trial in Madrid confirmed the feasibility and effectiveness of hollow core technology. It also demonstrated a round-trip latency reduction of 4.287μs over a 1.386km link, a more than 30% latency reduction relative to conventional single-mode fiber. The capacity deployed during the field trial was 6x100Gbps on a single 600Gbps wavelength and 10x10Gbps on a single 100Gbps wavelength.

This technology will provide connectivity between offices or data centers where low latency is critical for business services. Future developments are expected to improve hollow core links' attenuation ranges and optical capacity.

A successful collaboration

This trial highlights the commitment to innovation fiber by Iyntia, Nokia, OFS and Interxion (Digital Realty).

lyntia said that the expected future improvements in the technology reinforce its commitment to continue developing high-quality, ultra-low-latency network infrastructure. The company’s location in Madrid was the starting point from which a 1.4km link was deployed to a Digital Realty (Interxion) data center using innovative AccuCore® HCF fiber optic cable developed by OFS | Furukawa Solution.

“This pilot is part of lyntia’s constant drive to innovate to increase the value we offer to our customers. In our strategic plan, we seek partners who share this drive and make it possible for us to offer our customers the most cutting-edge technologies,” said Eduardo Duato, CTIO of lyntia.

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