September 24, 2021
Keio University
A research group led by Professor Yasuhiro Koike of the Keio Photonics Research Institute (KPRI), based at the Keio University Keio Frontier Research & Education Collaborative Square (K-FRECS) at Shin-Kawasaki, has developed a plastic optical fiber (hereinafter referred to as error-free POF) that generates almost no communication errors, which have been a challenge in short-range communications for data centers, automobiles, and medical applications. Furthermore, by using this error-free POF, the group has successfully transmitted a 53 gigabit-per-second signal using the PAM4 (Four-level Pulse Amplitude Modulation) method—the next-generation standard for data center communications—error-free, without the need for the currently required error correction functions.
With the advent of the AI and IoT era, there is a growing demand for high-capacity, high-quality data communication in servers and computer equipment. However, as signal speeds increase, it is becoming more difficult to transmit data without errors. Many current communication systems use error correction functions, such as FEC (Forward Error Correction), and waveform shaping circuits to correct data errors that occur during transmission. A major problem, however, is that this signal processing increases the power consumption and communication latency of the systems.
The newly developed error-free POF eliminates the need for the error correction functions and waveform shaping circuits in the communication systems mentioned above, thereby providing a breakthrough solution for the issues of heat, latency, and cost. This achievement not only contributes to power savings in data centers but also paves the way for high-capacity, real-time communication in fields such as automotive, medical, and robotics. The error-free POF is expected to become a core technology for the next-generation information industry.
For the full press release, please see below.