In a technological move, Brazil is investing in the development of a chip that promises to improve data transmission capacity on the network, increasing connectivity and preparing the country for digital advances. Learn more about this innovative initiative!
A Financier of Studies and Projects (Finep), together with the Fund for the Technological Development of Communications (Funttel) and the Ministry of Communications, supports the development of an innovative chip that promises to revolutionize transmission of data by fiber optics in the Brazil.
With dimensions of just five millimeters, the device is capable of processing large volumes of data, reaching an impressive capacity of 1,2 terabytes per second (Tbps).
This advancement, created by Telecommunications Research and Development Center (CPQD)), opens doors to several applications planned for the Internet of the future.
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The Teranet Project and the evolution of optical networks
The chip is the result of the Teranet project — 1 Tb/s Optical Systems for the Internet of the Future, started in 2018. Teranet's goal is to develop advanced solutions to increase the capacity and efficiency of optical networks in the country.
The project includes optical amplification techniques, signal processing algorithms and integrated photonics devices, all developed with a focus on high-capacity networks, such as 5G networks and future 6G networks.
This innovation becomes even more relevant with the growing demand for bandwidth in applications such as video streaming, augmented reality and virtual reality, which require a robust and efficient infrastructure.
Advanced technologies applied to the photonic chip
The photonic chip, Teranet's core technology, uses light (photons) instead of electricity to perform computational operations and transmit information.
Unlike conventional electronic circuits, which rely on electrons, the chip controls light through optical circuits, processing data faster and more efficiently. The innovations applied to the device include:
- Digital signal processing: technique that helps optimize data transmission, reducing noise and interference.
- Integrated optical transceivers: which combine transmitter and receiver in a single device, facilitating optical communication.
- Extended band optical amplification: method that increases the network capacity to support large volumes of data.
- Flexible optical networks: with the ability to adapt to different demands and types of data, allowing greater versatility.
These technological innovations make the photonic chip a fundamental part of the advancement of digital infrastructure, ensuring data transmission at high speeds and with lower energy consumption.
Operation and importance of the photonic chip
A photonic chip differs from conventional chips in that it uses light to process and transmit information, instead of electricity.
This type of chip controls light in order to perform operations much faster, which represents a major advance in energy efficiency and internet speed.
CPQD was responsible for designing and developing all the basic elements of the chip, including components capable of generating and receiving modulated optical signals at high speed.
The small device is also integrated with an optical transponder, which sends and receives optical signals over a fiber and is essential for fiber-optic communications.
Validation and expectations for the future of the internet
The prototypes were validated in CPQD's optical communication systems laboratory, ensuring that the chip meets performance and reliability expectations.
According to the developers, the device will be able to support not only the expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the advancement of 5G and 6G networks, but will also meet future Internet needs, such as applications that demand very low latency and high transfer rates.