SK Telecom (SKT) has unveiled a technology on July 11 that enables high-speed transmission of Fronthaul, often referred to as the crucial "capillary vessel of mobile communication".
This breakthrough in wavelength expansion was achieved through a collaborative effort between SKT, a South Korean optical transceiver module manufacturer, and a company specializing in high-speed communication solutions.
Fronthaul serves as a wired network connecting the Digital Unit (DU) of a 5G base station to the distributed Radio Units (RU). With the advent of 5G, advancements in base station equipment have propelled the transmission speed of the optical communication network constituting the fronthaul from a maximum of 10 Gbps to a staggering maximum of 25 Gbps.
However, actual transmission at speeds of 25 Gbps or higher causes the optical signal to spread across certain wavelength bands, leading to signal degradation and limitations on maximum transmission distance due to interference.
SKT has addressed this issue by developing an optical transceiver solution that incorporates a built-in dispersion compensation function, effectively resolving the widening of the optical signal.
This groundbreaking technology significantly expands the wavelength band capable of supporting 25 Gbps transmission speed in Fronthaul, allowing for proactive preparation not only for the advancements in 5G but also for future developments in 6G network transmission speeds.
In addition, the technology developed this time can use the existing base station network as it is, so it can be applied to 5G fronthaul nationwide without burden of time and cost due to fronthaul redesign.
