NEC and NTT successfully conduct first-of-its-kind long-distance transmission experiment over 7,000km using 12-core optical fiber

Mar 23, 2024 | Business

NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701) and NTT Corporation (NTT) today announced that they have successfully conducted a first-of-its-kind transoceanic-class 7,280km transmission experiment using a coupled 12-core multicore fiber(1), which consists of 12 optical signal transmission paths in a standard outer diameter optical fiber (0.125 mm). This achievement is expected to be a next-generation transmission infrastructure technology that will contribute to the realization of large-capacity optical networks, including future optical submarine cables.

Figure 1: Cross sections of a single-core fiber (left) and a coupled 12-core multicore fiber (right)

Background

With the spread of 5G globally and increased communications between data centers, international Internet traffic increased at an average annual rate of 30% from 2018 to 2022 (*2), and this trend is expected to continue. In order to meet the strong communication demand, there is a growing need to increase transmission capacity per optical submarine cable system in addition to increasing the number of optical submarine cables.Existing optical submarine cables use single-core fiber, which has a single optical transmission path called a core within a single fiber. In contrast, research and development is being conducted around the world to increase cable capacity by using multicore fiber, which has multiple cores to increase transmission capacity without changing the standard outer diameter of the fiber. NEC is currently engaged in a project to install a long-haul optical submarine cable system using two-core multicore fiber with two optical transmission paths.

Research Results

As more cores are added to an optical fiber with a standard outer diameter, crosstalk occurs when optical signals leaking from a core interfere with optical signals in adjacent cores, resulting in interference, which deteriorates the quality of mutual communications. Especially in long-distance transmission, in addition to the seriousness of crosstalk, it becomes difficult to receive transmitted signals accurately due to the non-uniformity of delay and loss between optical signals.NEC and NTT have developed the following technologies to address these issues.

Figure 2: Schematic diagram of the technologies developed

1. Development of an algorithm by NEC for demodulation of received signals using Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technology

Although MIMO technology is commonly used to separate multiple interfering radio signals, the scale of MIMO signal processing that has been put into practical use in existing optical communications is limited to two-polarization multiplexed signals. In addition, multicore fiber with many cores requires more extensive signal processing because the optical signals are further multiplexed. In addition, the random occurrence of crosstalk in long-distance transmission is an issue that must be addressed. NEC has now developed an algorithm for long-distance transmission and applied it to 24 x 24 MIMO (12 cores x 2 polarizations), enabling accurate separation and demodulation of high-speed received signals.

2. Development of a coupled 12-core multicore fiber optical transmission line by NTT

In long-haul optical communications using multicore fiber, when non-uniform delays and losses occur in the propagation between multiplexed optical signals, the circuit resources required for MIMO signal processing during reception increase, making implementation and realization difficult. In addition, non-uniformity in propagation loss greatly limits the distance that can be transmitted. In this study, NTT has developed design technologies for coupled multicore fiber and optical input/output devices (connecting fan-in/fan-out) that can reduce the effects of non-uniformity among signal delay and loss, as well as optical transmission line design evaluation technologies for long-haul applications.Combining these technologies, NEC and NTT conducted long-distance transmission experiments over 7,280km, assuming a transoceanic-class optical submarine cable, and succeeded for the first time in the world in accurately demodulating 12-spatially multiplexed optical signals offline.

Figure 3: Trends in long-haul optical transmission using space-division multiplexed fibers of standard outer diameters and the positioning of these research results

Future Developments

The two companies will further advance the research and development of these technologies with the aim of commercializing them as a long-haul, high-capacity optical submarine cable system and terrestrial core network system that will contribute to the realization of a high-capacity optical transmission infrastructure in the IOWN® (*3) concept and Beyond 5G/6G era in the 2030s.NEC and NTT will present the results as a highly scored paper at the Technical Conference of OFC 2024, the world’s largest event on optical communications (March 24 to March 28, 2024, at the San Diego Convention Center in California, USA).

(1) Coupled multicore fiber: An optical fiber in which signals transmitted in each core are separated and demodulated by post-processing on the premise that optical signals leaking from multiple optical transmission paths (cores) in the fiber interfere with and influence each other.
(2)

Japan – MC and CP Group to Conduct Feasibility Study on Decarbonizing Thai Manufacturing

Dec 19, 2023 | Business

Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) is pleased to announce that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bangkok-based Charoen Pokphand Group Co., Ltd. (CP) to conduct a feasibility study (FS) on decarbonizing Thailand’s manufacturing industries. Details are outlined below.

Objectives of this FS

To determine the feasibility of supplying carbon-free power generated in the surrounding region to Thailand, assisting with the country’s efforts to decarbonize, and helping its manufacturing industries to become more competitive.

MC has a strong track record of developing renewable energy, starting with projects in Europe and Japan. Through developments like the Monsoon onshore wind power project in Laos (slated to commence operations in 2025), we were among the first to support decarbonization efforts in Southeast Asia. CP is engaged in a wide range of industries, including agriculture and food businesses in Thailand as its core operations, and automobiles, real estate and communication business. Through this FS, we will combine MC’s strengths in renewable energy development with CP’s robust network in Thailand to identify ways for the country to both decarbonize and fortify its manufacturing sector.   

With energy in a global state of upheaval, developers in Asian markets must promote transformations that are based on each country’s unique circumstances. This is essential to ensuring energy stability, economic growth, and climate action. Thailand’s government has set targets for the country to be carbon neutral by 2050 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2065.

In addition to promoting decarbonization domestically, Japan’s government has pledged to further decarbonization efforts throughout Southeast Asia, as demonstrated by its establishment of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC). Invested in energy security, economic growth and AZEC’s basic principle of decarbonization, this MoU was signed on December 16, 2023, during a ceremony commemorating 50 years of ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation.  

MC is committed to not only accelerating actions that falls within the scope of this FS and furthers its own energy-transformation objectives, but also helping to decarbonize Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries. We will continue to do our part to decarbonize our planet and ensure a sustainable future for all who call it home.

Inquiry Recipient:
Mitsubishi Corporation
Telephone:+81-3-3210-2171 / Facsimile:+81-3-5252-7705

Copyright ©2023 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network.

Hong Kong – Hong Kong Customs and FSD conduct joint counter-terrorism exercise (with photos)

May 31, 2023 | International

Hong Kong Customs and FSD conduct joint counter-terrorism exercise (with photos)

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     ​Hong Kong Customs and the Fire Services Department (FSD) co-organised a counter-terrorism exercise codenamed “GATEKEEPER II” this afternoon (May 30) at the Ocean Terminal. 

     About 100 officers from Customs and the FSD participated in the exercise, which comprised two scenarios. The first scenario simulated the identification of a passenger suspected to be related to terrorist activities during Customs clearance at the Passenger Arrival Hall of the Ocean Terminal. Customs officers immediately informed the Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit for follow-up action.  

     The second scenario simulated a biochemical attack attempted by a radical at the Ocean Terminal. Customs officers subdued the attacker and activated the contingency response plan as well as informed on-duty security guards of the Ocean Terminal immediately. People at the scene were evacuated in an orderly and safe manner. FSD officers responded swiftly to the scene upon being summoned to mount a rescue operation and handle the hazardous material.

     Customs and the FSD hope to raise frontline officers’ awareness of counter-terrorism and their capability to handle counter-terrorism intelligence through conducting regular exercises. It can enhance the co-ordination and communication between the two departments in case of terrorist attacks so that the lives and property of the public will be better protected.

     Moreover, the management staff and security guards of the Ocean Terminal were specially invited to participate in the counter-terrorism exercise this time. This not only can strengthen the co-operation between government departments and stakeholders, but also strengthen the response capability of each person in the event of terrorist incidents. 

Hong Kong – FEHD and AFCD conduct joint operations against wild animal feeding

Aug 2, 2021 | International

FEHD and AFCD conduct joint operations against wild animal feeding

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     ​The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) spokesman said today (August 2) that the FEHD, jointly with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), gave education to the public to refrain from feeding wild animals, and conducted blitz operations recently against wild animal feeding and dirtying public places in Mount Parker Road and Greig Road, Quarry Bay of the Eastern District and Shum Wan Road of the Southern District. During the operation, the FEHD initiated prosecution against one person who dirtied public places because of disposal of food remnants in Shum Wan Road. Operation is ongoing.

     The spokesman said, “The FEHD attaches great importance to hygiene problem caused by fouling of public places due to wild animal feeding, and has all along been adopting specific measures to improve the hygiene conditions taking into account the actual situation in the areas where wild animals frequently appear.”

     The FEHD is mainly responsible for maintaining street cleanliness and environmental hygiene. Apart from providing regular street cleansing services, the FEHD staff would clean the residual feed in public places as soon as possible so as to maintain the environmental hygiene. If members of the public dirty public places while feeding birds or other wild animals (e.g. leaving behind residual feed or food remains on the ground), the FEHD may take enforcement actions against the offenders under the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation (Cap 132BK), or may issue fixed penalty notices (FPNs) of $1,500 against the offenders under the Fixed Penalty (Public Cleanliness and Obstruction) Ordinance (Cap 570).

     The FEHD has carried out multiple blitz inspections against feeding of wild animals or birds in the Southern District, with a total of 80 prosecutions, including 20 FPNs and 60 summons, initiated against persons who defied the related cleanliness regulations in the past 12 months. Moreover, the FEHD has also placed 63 specially designed rubbish bins with foot pedals at locations where wild pigs usually appear in the districts, including Pok Fu Lam, Tin Wan, Shum Wan Road, Deep Water Bay, Repulse Bay, Stanley and Shek O, so as to prevent them from pushing over the bins, scattering refuse on the ground, and dirtying public places while looking for food.

     On the other hand, in view of the frequent appearance of wild pigs near Braemar Hill in North Point, Mount Parker in Quarry Bay and Leaping Dragon Walk in Siu Sai Wan in the Eastern District, the FEHD has adopted specific measures to improve the hygiene conditions, including deploying staff to step up inspections and street cleansing services, and placing around 10 rubbish bins with foot pedals to replace the regular ones, with a view to reducing the nuisance of wild animals. To tackle issues including feeding of wild animals or birds, the FEHD has also stepped up enforcement in the Eastern District and cleansed public places dirtied by the congregation of wild birds with diluted bleach solution. In the past 12 months, the FEHD issued 17 FPNs against persons who fed wild animals or birds and contravened the related cleanliness regulations in the Eastern District.

     The FEHD spokesman stressed that the department will continue to adopt specific measures to improve the hygiene conditions in response to fouling of public places caused by wild animal feeding, and urged members of the public not to feed wild animals. 

     A spokesman for the AFCD said that feeding activities will wrongly impress the wild animals that there is stable food supply and will attract them to go to urban or residential areas regularly. The AFCD will continue to convey the message to members of the public that not to feed wild animals. In addition, the AFCD will arrange Wild Pig Capture and Contraception/Relocation operations at locations where wild pigs frequently aggregate due to feeding activities, including Quarry Bay and Wong Chuk Hang areas, to control the wild pig nuisance in long run.