Microsoft Achieves Breakthrough in Fiber Optic Technology

Key points

• Microsoft achieves breakthrough in hollow core fiber technology, reducing data transmission loss to 0.091 dB per kilometer, the lowest ever achieved.
• The new technology has the potential to transform the telecommunications industry, enabling faster data transmission, lower latency, and significant cost savings for enterprise networks.
• Microsoft is already deploying the technology at scale, with plans to deploy 15,000 km of hollow core fiber across the Azure network in the coming months.

Microsoft has made a significant breakthrough in hollow core fiber technology, reducing data transmission loss to just 0.091 dB per kilometer. This achievement is 25 times better than the company’s previous technology and surpasses the performance of traditional glass fibers. The research, published in Nature Photonics, demonstrates the first optical fiber to outperform conventional glass-core fibers in both signal loss and bandwidth capacity.

The hollow core approach uses air as the transmission medium, surrounded by a precisely engineered glass microstructure. This design allows light to travel 47% faster while maintaining signal quality. The technology also delivered a seven-fold reduction in chromatic dispersion compared to conventional fibers, enabling simplifications in digital signal processing complexity and energy consumption.

The improved performance could translate to substantial cost reductions for enterprise networks. With the new technology, networks can extend distances between expensive amplifiers or operate existing amplifiers at reduced power levels. This could result in significant reductions in both capital expenditure and operational expenditure.

Microsoft’s acquisition of Lumenisity Limited in December 2022 played a crucial role in the development of this technology. The company’s 40,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Romsey, UK, is dedicated to producing hollow core fibers. However, the technology still faces manufacturing challenges, requiring custom machinery and precise control of membrane thicknesses.

Despite these challenges, the technology has already been successfully tested by other major operators, including Comcast and BT. Comcast deployed hollow core fiber end-to-end in Philadelphia, reporting 150% faster data transmission and 33% lower latency compared to traditional fiber.

Microsoft’s large-scale deployment of the technology is expected to have a significant impact on the industry. The company plans to deploy 15,000 km of hollow core fiber across the Azure network, enabling faster and more reliable data transmission. As the technology becomes more widely available, it is expected to transform the entire telecommunications industry, enabling new applications and use cases that were previously impossible.

The potential applications of this technology are vast, ranging from enhancing the efficiency of AI workloads to enabling more flexible regional placement of data centers. With Microsoft’s resources and commitment to scaling up production, the future of hollow core fiber technology looks bright. As Microsoft continues to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible, the company is poised to play a leading role in shaping the future of the telecommunications industry.

Read the rest: Source Link

Don’t forget to check our list of Cheap Windows VPS Hosting providers, How to get Windows Server 2022, Try Windows 11 Pro for Workstations & browse Windows Azure content.

Remember to like our facebook and follow us on twitter @WindowsMode.