Researchers from Nanjing University have created a seamless optical communication network that transfers information using light. The system is designed to function across a variety of environments, including underwater, on the surface, in the air, and in space. The work appears in Optical Express, a scientific journal that showcases advances in photonics and communications technology.
The team explains that wide‑angle communications offer practical benefits in and around large bodies of water. In oceans and lakes, environmental sensors can relay data to surface buoys. From there, information can be transmitted wirelessly across the water surface or sent over long distances between cities via data links. The network can be integrated with the internet through a modem, enabling researchers and operators located offshore to access a backbone network and exchange information. This capability supports remote monitoring, data collection, and coastal management projects.
To perform reliably in diverse settings, the researchers used four distinct light spectrums tailored to each environment. Underwater data travels via blue beams, surface communications occur with white light emitting diodes, air transmissions use ultraviolet light, and space connections depend on infrared lasers. The system is designed to support both wireless and wired internet access through the TCP/IP framework, expanding its potential uses in the Internet of Things and smart sensing networks.
In testing, the optical network demonstrated the ability to broadcast video at 2560 by 1440 resolution at 22 frames per second. The measurements showed a maximum data packet loss rate of 5.8 percent and a transmission delay under 74 milliseconds, indicating robust performance for real‑time applications and high‑definition data streams.
In related industry news, Amazon has announced plans to explore a satellite internet initiative that would use laser links for data transmission. The Canadian and American tech communities watch such developments closely as they could shape future global communications infrastructure and national broadband strategies.