Research and Development of Space-Division Multiplexing Optical Network/Node Technologies to Support Beyond 5G Ultra-High Capacity Wireless Communication

The key to achieving ultra-high capacity optical networks that support an ICT society in the Beyond 5G era in an economical manner is to adopt space-division multiplexing (SDM) technologies for not only links but also nodes. We interviewed Prof. Masahiko Jinno, the head of research teams that are working to establish optical network/node technologies that leverage SDM technologies to achieve ultra-high capacity and economical optical networks through this project.

Please tell us about the outline and features of this research project.

Jinno: Our research project aims to develop space-division multiplexing (SDM) optical network technologies that possess both ultra-high capacity and economic efficiency.
The term “Beyond 5G” tends to evoke the image of wireless and mobile technologies, so you might wonder why we are working on optical networks. In reality, however, once the signals of smartphones reach a base station, over 99% of the data beyond that point is transmitted through the use of optical-fiber cables that have been laid around the world. Therefore, we believe that the development of SDM optical network technologies is highly significant for achieving Beyond 5G.

What is the key to achieving this goal?

Jinno: If Beyond 5G seeks to achieve 10 times higher speeds and 10 times greater multi-point connectivity than existing communications, it is essential for us to develop technologies for constructing optical networks with 10 or 100 times of current capacities in an economical manner in order to achieve this end-to-end. The key to this is the idea of carrying out routing not only in units of optical wavelengths but also in units of optical fiber cores.
The five parties comprising the teams commissioned with this research and development project are a fiber vendor, a module vendor, a equipment vendor, a telecommunications carrier, and a university, who will vertically integrate their respective proprietary technologies of fiber, optical connection, optical switch, optical node, and optical amplification to develop technologies for achieving ultra-high capacity and economical optical networks.

The project is named "PHUJIN Project." What is the thought behind that?

Jinno: The name PHUJIN was inspired by the belief that Fujin, the god of wind, is able to freely control the flow of air, which embodies our vision of developing technologies that would allow us to freely transfer the massive volume of data generated by Beyond 5G communications services through optical means.

What is your current progress? And how do you plan to expand the project going forward?

Jinno: Despite being only in the second year of the project, we have already built a test bed and are conducting demonstration experiments to promptly create working prototype systems and identify any issues. We hope to continue producing world-class results through expeditious research and development.

Thank you very much.