Keysight and McGill University Demonstrate Record 1.6 Tbps O-band Coherent Transmission over 10 Kilometers

Rhea-AI Summary

Keysight Technologies (NYSE: KEYS), in collaboration with McGill University, has set a world record in optical communication by achieving transmission rates of 1.2 Tbps and 1.6 Tbps over 10 km. This landmark feat utilizes distributed feedback lasers for both the carrier and local oscillators and will be showcased at OFC 2023, a premier optical communications conference. The system used Keysight’s M8199B 256 GSa/s Arbitrary Waveform Generator and marks a significant advancement towards efficient coherent optical transmission systems, essential for meeting the demand of data centers driven by AI and IoT applications.

Positive

• Achieved record transmission rates of 1.2 Tbps and 1.6 Tbps over 10 km.
• Demonstrated innovative use of distributed feedback lasers, enhancing optical system efficiency.
• Utilized Keysight's advanced M8199B Arbitrary Waveform Generator for the achievement.
• Supports the growing demand for bandwidth in optical networks driven by AI and IoT.

Negative

• None.

• Industry-first demonstration enables use of power-efficient coherent optical wavelengths to meet growing data center bandwidth demands
• Collaboration achieves record 1.2 Tbps and 1.6 Tbps transmission rates over 10 km using distributed feedback lasers for the carrier and local oscillators
• Keysight’s industry leading Arbitrary Waveform Generator facilitates accomplishment

SANTA ROSA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) and McGill University have successfully demonstrated a world record 1.2 Tbps and 1.6 Tbps O-band coherent transmissions operating over 10 km using distributed feedback lasers (DFBs) for both the carrier and local oscillator. The achievement will be presented at OFC 2023, the largest global conference for optical communications and networking professionals.

Artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, and internet of things applications are driving the demand for more bandwidth in optical networks. Leveraging high symbol rate systems increases the aggregate per-wavelength data rate to reduce the cost-per-bit in optical systems. A key trend in data centers is the transition to higher symbol rates through integrated optics, which reduces the component count, cost, and power consumption.

To address growing short-reach intra-data center traffic demands -- from 2 to 10 km – coherent transmission systems are being considered as an alternative to intensity modulation direct detection (IMDD) systems that are currently operating at 200 Gbps per wavelength over 2 km in the O-band. Low chromatic dispersion makes power-efficient coherent links an attractive replacement for IMDD technologies at 1.6 Tbps and beyond.

To demonstrate improvements in short-reach intra-data center transmission rates using coherent O-band solution, Keysight, McGill University, and other research partners collaborated to achieve the record-breaking transmission. The demonstration system consisted of Keysight’s new M8199B 256 GSa/s Arbitrary Waveform Generator that delivers 75 GHz bandwidth in combination with a thin-film lithium niobate I/Q modulator with 100 GHz bandwidth and a 110 GHz 256 GSa/s Keysight Infiniium UXR-Series Oscilloscope. The accomplishment showcased how data centers can use coherent optical fiber transmission systems operating at 167 Gbaud, using dual-polarization, 64-quadrature amplitude modulation scheme to transmit signals at 1.6 Tbps in the O-band using DFBs for the carrier and local oscillators.

McGill University Professor and Canada Research Chair David V. Plant said: “The McGill University research team is very proud to be working with the test and measurement leader Keysight, and our partners, all of whom contributed to achieving this new record. The breakthrough was accomplished by using the latest technologies, including Keysight’s recently announced and most powerful Arbitrary Waveform Generator. This achievement is a significant demonstration on the path to consolidating short-reach, O-band, coherent optical fiber transmission systems for data center interconnect applications.”

Dr. Joachim Peerlings, Vice President of Network and Data Center Solutions at Keysight Technologies, said: “Pushing coherent technologies into the O-band is essential for its future, ubiquitous use in data centers. Our record 1.6 Tbps O-band coherent transmission with Canada’s McGill University is a key milestone towards this goal. The continued proliferation of AI requires new levels of server and network performance that must scale computing resources within reasonable energy bounds. This result is a milestone for the industry moving towards greener data centers.”

Resources

• Keysight M8199B 256 GSa/s Arbitrary Waveform Generator
• Keysight UXR1102A Infiniium UXR-Series Oscilloscope

About Keysight Technologies

At Keysight (NYSE: KEYS), we inspire and empower innovators to bring world-changing technologies to life. As an S&P 500 company, we’re delivering market-leading design, emulation, and test solutions to help engineers develop and deploy faster, with less risk, throughout the entire product lifecycle. We’re a global innovation partner enabling customers in communications, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductor, and general electronics markets to accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Learn more at Keysight Newsroom and www.keysight.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230307005700/en/

Geri Lynne LaCombe

Americas/Europe

+1 303 662 4748

geri_lacombe@keysight.com

Fusako Dohi

Asia

+81 42 660-2162

fusako_dohi@keysight.com

Source: Keysight Technologies, Inc.

FAQ

What record did Keysight Technologies achieve regarding optical transmission rates?

Keysight Technologies achieved world record optical transmission rates of 1.2 Tbps and 1.6 Tbps over 10 km.

Where will the achievement by Keysight Technologies and McGill University be presented?

The achievement will be presented at OFC 2023, a leading global conference for optical communications.

What technology did Keysight use to achieve its optical transmission records?

Keysight utilized distributed feedback lasers and its M8199B 256 GSa/s Arbitrary Waveform Generator.

What applications are driving the demand for bandwidth that Keysight's achievement addresses?

The demand for bandwidth is driven by applications in artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT).

What is the significance of Keysight's optical transmission system development?

It represents a major milestone for efficient coherent optical fiber transmission systems, essential for modern data centers.