Multicore-fiber submarine systems

Abstract

This paper reviews and analyzes multicore-fiber technologies in the context of submarine networks. As global/transcontinental capacity continues to grow at a large and steady pace, the subsea industry is challenged to deliver technologies that provide large-capacity networks in a faster, greener, and cost-effective fashion. Multicore fiber has been considered as a serious candidate for next-generation systems with the ability to maintain standard cable size at large core counts. This paper analyzes the technoeconomics of next-generation submarine systems including variables such as equipment size versus marine cost and other critical elements (not analyzed before, to our knowledge) for submarine system implementation. In this context, this paper also analyzes the state-of-the-art of multicore subsystems and components and discusses their roadmaps, requirements, and evolution toward the realization of a multicore ecosystem for next-generation SDM systems.