What is the key to next-generation optical communications, what is the development to realize the "IOWN concept"?

This time, we interviewed the manager of the IOWN Promotion Department about the IOWN concept.

In this interview, we asked about Hakusan Inc. 's efforts related to the "IOWN concept" and the technical value it provides, as well as the difficulties they faced during development and their future prospects.

What is the IOWN concept?

Please tell me what the IOWN concept is.

The ``IOWN Concept'' is a concept to create a prosperous society using cutting-edge optical technology.
In 2021, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, Intel Corporation, and Sony Corporation established the "Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) Global Forum" with the aim of realizing this by 2030.

In IOWN, we will gradually change the part of the information communication system that transmits signals using electricity from electricity to data communication using optical fiber, thereby reducing energy consumption while processing a huge amount of information. We are working on this.

Reference: NTT R&D Website “What is the IOWN concept? Its social background and purpose”

What does Hakusan Inc. do?

Currently, Hakusan is conducting two main initiatives.

The first is "joint research and development with Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation."
At Hakusan, we have been conducting research and development since the establishment of the IOWN Promotion Department (January 2022). At "NTT R&D FORUM - Road to IOWN 2022" in 2022, we also presented the results of our joint research.

Second, we participate in the IOWN Global Forum and carry out activities.
I am participating in a working group that discusses use cases being considered in the IOWN concept, hardware-related matters, how to use equipment in data centers, etc., and I am proposing Hakusan 's technology. .

Please tell us about the technical value that Hakusan can provide to the IOWN concept.

In order to achieve Photonics-Electronics-Convergence, it is necessary to extract optical signals while connecting light through transmission media such as optical fibers with high efficiency.
We believe that the technical value that can be provided to the IOWN concept is to create an optical connection structure that can meet these requirements.

For example, Hakusan manufactures MT Ferrule (multi-multifiber optical connector fibers at once), and we are conducting research and development using this technology and know-how.

In the case of MT Ferrule, there are issues such as their size being too large and their lack of heat resistance to the required temperatures.
However, we receive requests from customers such as ``ferrules that can be used in high-temperature environments such as reflow'' and ``ferrules of smaller size.''
In order to meet these requirements, we are conducting research and development to see if we can create something even better while leveraging the strengths of current MT Ferrule.

Specifically, what kind of products are you developing?

We are jointly developing a small connector that uses magnets.
We are conducting research to realize optical connections using magnetic force.

In addition, Hakusan's technology is progressing with the development of a ceramic optical connection component called CMF® (Ceramic Multifiber Ferrule).
While the fiber hole precision of CMF® is the same as that of regular MT Ferrule, the use of ceramics allows it to withstand heat of 1,000℃ (MT Ferrule are gradually affected by temperature above about 100℃) ).
Also, regarding the size, it is possible to make items smaller or larger than usual.

Please let me know if you have any particular difficulties during development.

I'm having trouble deciding how to evaluate the product I'm developing.
In research and development, while utilizing the evaluation methods that have been used to date, it is necessary to adopt new evaluation methods to match new technologies and to create a structure for evaluation.

For example, there are JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) and IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) standards for MT Ferrule, and ``if this evaluation is performed and the values are met, MT Ferrule will pass.'' Standards have been established.

However, since there are no standards that can be cited for the products we have developed, we must decide on our own evaluation methods.
We are struggling because we have to decide for ourselves what is acceptable and provide guarantees.
In order to provide products that meet the needs of our customers, we repeatedly make improvements and studies while receiving opinions from joint research partners and other manufacturers.

Please tell us about the current development status and future prospects.

Current development status

In order to realize Photonics-Electronics-Convergence technology, Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) (equipment for optical communication), which has optical transceivers and switches mounted on a board, is required. Therefore, Hakusan is developing a product called "CMF®".
Although it is a little behind the original development schedule, it is progressing smoothly.

We are also proposing the use of compact Multifiber connectors (MTCT ® connectors), which are smaller in thickness and size than regular MT Ferrule.

In addition, we are also conducting research and development on a connector called GrinEB® that enables spatial transmission by increasing the beam diameter of light.
For example, we are developing a method to enlarge a beam of light that is emitted at 10 microns to 50 microns.

Future prospects

As we have successfully developed products that meet customer needs regarding Co-Packaged Optics, we would like to further develop them toward IOWN2.0 ¹⁾.
IOWN will continue with 3.0, 4.0, etc., so I would like to develop products with an eye toward the future.

Also, although IOWN has a strong image of being an optical connection, its goal is also to realize clean energy.
At Hakusan, we are currently conducting research and development related to optical connectivity, so we would like to develop products and commercialize products that can contribute to reducing power consumption and CO2 emissions.

1) NTT is developing Photonics-Electronics-Convergence devices that will be the core of realizing the IOWN concept. The development plan for Photonics-Electronics-Convergence devices has been announced, with the first and second generations designated as IOWN1.0 and the third generation as IOWN3.0, and a roadmap up to the fifth generation already exists.
Reference: NTT Technology Journal “NTT R&D Forum – Road to IOWN 2022 Special Feature”

Other helpful articles can be found here
Reference: NTT STORY “New company press conference to manufacture devices using Photonics-Electronics-Convergence technology that achieves overwhelmingly low power consumption”

Article author's comment

We hope that you have learned about our company's unique efforts regarding the IOWN concept, which utilizes the product know-how and technology that Hakusan Inc. has created up until now.
We hope that you will take even the slightest interest in Hakusan, which is working to realize Photonics-Electronics-Convergence technology and work towards IOWN2.0.