British engineers from Aston University (AU) in Birmingham have set a new record for data transfer speeds over a fiber optic channel, reaching 301 terabits per second (Tbps). This is 1.2 million times faster than the average Internet connection speed. The research was published in the official gazette Web site scientific institution.
For comparison, 301 Tbis/s will allow you to download 1.8 thousand movies at 4K resolution per second.
Scientists achieved this fast connection by transmitting infrared light through fiber optics called E-band. This standard is not used in commercial systems and new devices had to be designed to use it.
Commercial fiber optic links transmit data in the C and L bands, which correspond to wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum between 1260 and 1675 nanometers (nm). Visible light occupies wavelengths of approximately 400 to 700 nm in the spectrum.
Scientists had previously been unable to use E-band because it caused extremely high levels of data loss (five times greater than C and L bands).
Using new technology (optical amplifiers and optical equalizers), engineers managed to stabilize data transmission in the E-band. They amplify signals over a distance and control the amplitude of waves in the channel.
According to the authors of the development, they were the first to manage to use E-band for stable sending of information over fiber optics.
Formerly Amazon announced about the decision to build a satellite Internet network that provides data transmission via lasers.