Research on spatial optical switching technologies to achieve ultra-large capacity, space division multiplexing optical networks

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18H01443
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 21020:Communication and network engineering-related
• Research Institution: Kagawa University
• Principal Investigator: Jinno Masahiko 香川大学, 創造工学部, 教授 (10503550)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 光通信ネットワーク / 光スイッチ / 空間分割多重

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To achieve further capacity increase in a highly economical manner in future optical networks, the hierarchical optical network architecture that enables routing not only at a wavelength granularity but also at a core granularity is promising. We developed a unique core selective switch (CSS) as a building block for achieving scalable and economical optical cross-connects. We prototyped and evaluated CSSs that comprise a micro-lens array and a MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) mirror array. We experimentally confirmed that the CSS prototype showed a very low insertion loss (1.2 dB to 2.7 dB) and extremely low polarization-dependent loss (0.3 dB or less) over a very wide wavelength range of 130 nm.

Free Research Field

光通信技術

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の成果に対して、国際会議OECC/PSC 2019 Best Paper Award、国際会議ECOC 2019 Highly Scored Paper、 国際会議OECC 2020 Best Student Paper Award、電子情報通信学会OCS奨励賞ならびにチュートリアル論文賞が授与されており、その学術的意義は高く評価されている。本研究で研究開発したCSSを基本構成要素とする空間分割多重光ネットワークは、2030年前後に提供が想定されているBeyond 5G無線通信サービスが発生する膨大なデータを経済的な転送可能と期待され、その社会的なインパクトは極めて高いと考えられる。