Verizon Carries 21.7 Terabits per second over Single Fiber with NEC

In a trial performed earlier this year on 1,503 kilometers (934 miles) of standard single mode field fiber in the Dallas area, Verizon successfully transmitted 21.7 terabits per second (Tbps) -- the highest capacity to date under field conditions.


NEC was the equipment supplier for the trial, which was described in a post-deadline paper presented at the recent OFC/NFOEC Conference and Expo in Los Angeles.


NEC said the terabit capacity was achieved by increasing modulation levels and reducing optical carrier spacing using superchannels. This trial also used a novel approach that allowed for different modulation formats to be used to help ensure signal performance while carrying the highest total capacity. The two companies also specifically focused on transmission performance over a significant fiber distance since other experiments in this area have only been performed in a lab environment.


In 2011, Verizon and NEC Corporation of America completed an industry first by successfully transmitting high bit-rate technologies, including 100G, 450G and 1T, coexisting on the same fiber in a joint field trial.


"Verizon continues its research to find the scientific limits of high-capacity optical technology as we strive to offer the most advanced network technology that adds long-term value to our customers and is capable of sustaining the tremendous growth potential," said Ihab Tarazi, vice president of global IP and transport planning and technology for Verizon. "This joint effort moves the industry toward a better understanding of the technology's challenges, differentiators and viability because the future will be shaped by what we learn now."http://www.verizon.nethttp://www.nec.com