In February and March 2023, Aircision demonstrated a significant leap in the capacity of itsoptical wireless technology. Using coherent modulation and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) on its own internally developed optical head, the company scaled a single 1.7 km link into the terabit range, enough capacity for morethan 5,000 homes on one connection, with independent testing shortly after reporting speeds as high as 1.5 Tbps.
The result mattered for reasons beyond the headline number. It showed that Aircision's optical head, developed in-house rather than licensed from a third party, could scale using the same techniques (coherent modulation and WDM) that fibre-optic networks rely on to reach terabit speeds. That gave the company a credible answer to a question every FSO customer eventually asks: can this really replace fibre, not just approximate it?
The announcement came at a pivotal moment for the company. Aircision was in the process of raising its seed round, with proceeds ear marked to widen commercial engagement, fund product pilots, and bring its first production units to market later that year. The capacity demonstration served as tangible proof of the technology those funds would help commercialise.
Aircision identified three initial commercial applications for this class of ultra-high-capacity link: data centre interconnect (DCI), enterprise and private networks, and multi-access edge computing (MEC), markets where the combination of fibre-like speed and rapid, cable-free deployment gives FSO a genuine edge.
FAQ
Can free-space optics really match fibre speeds?
Yes. In 2023, Aircision demonstrated up to 1.5 Tbps over a 1.7 km wireless link using the same coherent modulation and WDM techniques fibre networks rely on.
Quick facts
- Distance: 1.7 km
- Capacity demonstrated: up to1.5 Tbps (reported as 1.2-3.2 Tbps across independent write-ups)
- Modulation: Coherent, wavelength division multiplexing (WDM)
- Target markets: Data centre interconnect, enterprise/private networks, multi-access edge computing
Original source
Sourced from: Innovation Origins, 28 February 2023. https://innovationorigins.com/en/optical-wireless-technology-to-deliver-the-bandwidth-needed-for-future-networks-aircision-achieves-a-1-2tbps-capacity/
Also covered by
Telecompaper,"Aircision achieves 1.5 Tbps using own optical head, wavelength divisionmultiplexing" (1 March 2023). https://www.telecompaper.com/news/aircision-achieves-15-tbps-using-own-optical-head-wavelength-division-multiplexing--1455167
IT Channel Pro,"Aircision demonstreert optische draadloze link met 3,2Tbps" (28February 2023). https://itchannelpro.nl/aircision-demonstreert-optische-draadloze-link-met-32tbps/
