As the rapid development of 5G, IoT, cloud computing, and other technologies, data traffic is experiencing exponential growth, demanding higher bandwidth from networks. Elevating the single-wave rate and transmission distance of optical transmission systems, improving the bandwidth utilization of fiber optic communication systems, has become a common pursuit for both telecom operators and equipment manufacturers. The 400G technology, as the core carrier technology for the next-generation backbone network, has advantages such as higher transmission speed, larger bandwidth, and better scalability. It can meet the increasing demands of large data centers and communication networks, providing more data transmission channels and better supporting high-density integration and low-energy consumption solutions.

Currently, China's exploration and industrial development of 400G technology are progressing rapidly, showcasing broad application prospects. The year 2023 is expected to witness the scale commercialization of 400G technology. Although 400G technology has made significant strides, with the continuous growth in network demands, higher-speed technologies such as 800G and 1.6T are also under development and promotion. Especially with the increasing demand for computing power driven by artificial intelligence, this has spurred the iteration of optical products. Presently, 800G optical modules have begun delivery and are expected to enter the market on a large scale soon. Simultaneously, the development of even higher-level 1.6T products is also on the agenda.

At this crucial juncture where 400G is entering large-scale commercial use and 800G/1.6T is poised for development, the communications world is launching a special feature titled "The High 'Light' Moment is Coming - 400G/800G Initiates a New Era in Networks." By gathering insights from experts and scholars in the ICT sector, this feature aims to contribute to the maturity of the 400G industry, accelerate the research and development of 800G/1.6T technologies, and collectively illuminate a high moment in the field of optical communications.

As a significant transformative intergenerational technology ushering in the next phase of the backbone network, 400G is now taking the relay baton, guiding the development of optical broadband and mobile communication. It has become the new bandwidth "load-bearing wall" in the era of computing power networks.

FiberHome Communications, known as an "optical communication expert," is keeping pace with the times, intensifying efforts in independent innovation, continuously iterating products, and introducing differentiated solutions. It is comprehensively promoting the construction of a 400G intelligent all-optical network, laying the foundation for the development of computing power networks, and contributing to the construction of "Digital China."

FiberHome Network Business Unit President Mr Bin Zhang

Driven by demand, 400G is the current hot spot

Currently, with the rapid development of technologies such as 5G and the Internet of Things, data traffic is experiencing exponential growth, placing higher demands on network bandwidth. Driven by market demand, telecom operators are actively engaged in the construction and trial operation of 400G networks. Zhang Bin, the President of FiberHome Communications Network Product Unit, stated that the construction of 400G networks will gradually begin this year, and it is expected that by 2024, large-scale commercial use of long-distance 400G networks will be achieved.

It is certain that the prosperous development of 400G is just around the corner. However, FiberHome remains vigilant, recognizing that the application of new technologies often comes with both opportunities and challenges. The construction of 400G brings about a new network architecture revolution, but there is still room for improvement in aspects such as network design, network commissioning, and operational maintenance.

To address this, FiberHome has taken measures in terms of intelligent features. Through the FiONE twin solution based on full life cycle operation, planning, perception, analysis, and operation are conducted on the twin platform to further enhance the intelligence level of the network. At the operational level, leveraging visual and manageable data center resources and utilizing "fiber sensing + artificial intelligence" for behavioral trend perception, they aim to enhance the perception of business quality through means such as on-the-fly detection and quality degradation analysis, promoting the evolution of optical networks towards resource perception, behavioral perception, and business perception.

Marching forward and embracing the era of 400G

As a "veteran" in the field of optical communication, FiberHome has long been dedicated to the research and development of optical technologies. In promoting the upgrade to 400G, FiberHome has consistently adhered to two principles: independent innovation and providing differentiated solutions based on different scenarios. In the last quarter of the previous year, FiberHome introduced the 400G PCS-16QAM solution. During this year's "5·17" period, FiberHome released a self-developed 400G QPSK solution covering from chips, modules, boards to end-to-end system equipment, achieving ultra-long-distance relay transmission of 6000 kilometers in the laboratory, leading the industry.

Zhang Bin stated that over the past six months, FiberHome has intensively collaborated with domestic telecom operators to carry out verification work for 400G long-distance transmission. This includes live 3820-kilometer non-powered relay transmission from Shanghai to Guangzhou, the first "C+L" 400G high-capacity trial network in the Pearl River Delta, and a live 1673-kilometer (loopback) non-powered relay transmission from Guizhou to Hunan in a pure EDFA environment, along with the demonstration of "East Number West Rendering" services. Looking at the overall verification results, FiberHome’s 400G solution also demonstrates leading competitiveness in terms of performance indicators, integration, and stability, with expectations of achieving large-scale commercial use within this year.

Simultaneously, in the area of 400G optical modules, FiberHome provides fixed-packaged optical modules compliant with the MSA protocol, as well as plug-and-play products in various forms such as CFP2-DCO/QSFP-DD/OSFP, assisting telecom operators in building an environmentally friendly, low-carbon, and efficiently operated optical transmission network.

Moving forward incessantly, embracing the "new wave" of 800G

As 400G is on the verge of large-scale commercial use, the industry has already begun forward-looking layouts for 800G. With the continuous progress of the "East Counting West Computing" project and the surge in large-scale projects, the optical network is accelerating its evolution towards 800G and 1.6T.

However, currently, 800G and 1.6T only support short to medium-distance interconnections within and between data centers. It is expected that small-scale commercial use in short-distance interconnection scenarios for the Internet and data centers will be achieved in 2024. To achieve large-scale commercial use of long-distance transmission for 800G and 1.6T backbone networks, the industry chain needs continuous research and breakthroughs in modulation reception, DSP, optical amplification, optical cross-connection, nonlinear compensation, and other fields.

FiberHome will continue to drive the further evolution of 800G and 1.6T. Zhang Bin stated that FiberHome will release related optical module samples within this year and achieve mass production in 2024 to meet the demands of short to medium-distance interconnections in data centers. Regarding long-distance transmission for 800G and 1.6T, FiberHome has already begun the layout of higher baud-rate ADC/DAC devices, more optimized nonlinear compensation solutions, and core technologies such as S-band doped optical amplification.