ZTE successfully completes real-time 24-hour error-free optical transmission with capacity of 16 Tbps over 3,500 km

12 November 2014, Shenzhen, China – ZTE Corporation (“ZTE”) (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), a publicly-listed global provider of telecommunications equipment, network solutions and mobile devices, set a new world record in long-haul optical transmission, further strengthening the company’s capabilities to deliver the most advanced next-generation transport network solutions to customers.

During the test, ZTE successfully completed real-time 24-hour error-free optical transmission over 3,500 km, achieving capacity of 16 terabits per second (16 Tbps) in the C band with full configuration. The T-bit WDM (wavelength division multiplexing) real-time optical transmission technology used by ZTE in the test is based on the company’s industry-leading WDM/OTN product platforms, and only deploying the Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFA)  with 100 km span separations.

"The successful test will enable ZTE to help operators increase network capacity several times over longer distances,” said Chen Yufei, Vice General Manager of Bearer Network Products at ZTE. “The strength of ZTE’s T-bit transmission technology helps our customers achieve sustainable growth in network bandwidth and reduce total cost of ownership.”

During the test, ZTE employed advanced Nyquist WDM spectral compression optical modulation and optical impairments mitigation coherent reception techniques, integrating advanced ultra high-speed data signal processing and soft-decision FEC techniques, achieving a spectral efficiency of 4bit/Hz/s. ZTE’s solution offers high spectral efficiency, while simultaneously meeting the demands of long-haul transmission.

Beyond-100G transmission is a key focus area of research for globally-leading operators and solution providers. Before beyond-100G networks are commercially deployed, the twin challenges of spectral efficiency and long-haul transmission must be resolved.

ZTE has been committed to R&D in beyond-100G technologies such as 100G and 400G/1T. Based on advanced R&D in 100G and beyond-100G high-speed signal transmission technologies, ZTE has led the industry globally in key technology innovations in this field, achieving many important breakthroughs.

In September 2013, ZTE became the first equipment manufacturer to implement single-channel directly-detected 50Gb/s optical 64QAM-OFDM signal transmission and receiving and realize realtime fiber transmission of the signal, breaking the world record of single-channel transmission rate of 10Gb/s optical OFDM signal.

In October 2013, ZTE worked with Beijing Institute, China Telecom to complete 1T ultra long-distance optical transmission realtime system experiment and make the world record of realtime transmission over 3200km. In March 2014, ZTE became the first in the world to implement realtime transmission of dual carrier 100Gb/s directly detecting 16QAM-OFDM signal.

With strong capabilities in 100G and ultra-100G solution, ZTE’s WDM products are deployed by more than 300 operators in 112 countries. ZTE is involved in more than 150 commercial 100G projects globally, with combined spans of over 100,000 km’s.