With the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and the spread of internet of things (IoT) technology, the amount of data on networks is increasing enormously. In addition to the increase in device power consumption, dramatic improvement of the processing capacity per power is quite difficult. In such situation, there are high expectations for Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) as a next-generation information and communication processing platform.

IOWN is a research and development concept announced by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) in May 2019. In October of the same year, the IOWN Global Forum was established led by Sony Corporation and Intel Corporation.

In addition to major electronics manufacturers, such as NEC Corporation, Fujitsu Limited, and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, various companies from communication equipment vendors to carriers, like Telephone Stock Company of LM Ericsson, Nokia Corporation, Toyota Motor Company, and Microsoft Corporation have joined the forum. Specifications are being discussed in a working group specialized in use cases and technologies.

Contribution from the measurement field is also indispensable for innovation in optical technology. Anritsu Corporation and Keysight Technologies Inc., as general members of IOWN are aiming to develop solutions that go beyond existing products.

An All-Photonics Network in which communications are made only with optical signals is a major goal of IOWN. Anritsu will contribute to its realization through innovation of this optical network.

The development of information and communication processing technology based on electronic engineering will reach its limit. The ultimate goal of IOWN is the fusion of electricity and photonics. It started out with a low-power optical transistor invented by NTT.

Resolve Measurement Problems in CPO

The immediate task is to solve measurement problems present in the device called CPO, which integrates optical and electronic components. This CPO is scheduled to be commercialized around 2023. In addition to signal quality analyzers, like Anritsu’s MP1900A, the company will provide basic measuring instruments, such as optical spectrum analyzers and bit error testers.

When an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) on a board and an optical device are integrated in the same package, the verification of electrical and optical interoperability becomes important.

Anritsu wants to contribute to solving this problem with a measurement solution with improved characteristics based on current measuring instruments. The issues of CPO are also the same problems faced by data centers, and technological contributions to IOWN will lead to development of actual products to be sold in the market.

Meets Demand for Higher Speed

Keysight Technologies aims to meet the latest demands for higher speeds and lower power consumption with existing products. For higher speeds, the company has a product lineup that support a modulation speed of 100Gbaud, such as the N4372E optical component analyzer that measures the frequency response characteristics of optical devices. For miniaturization and lower power consumption, a solution for evaluating optical devices on a chip on a wafer or after dicing will be provided.

Keysight Technologies regards IOWN as a place for technological development of leading-edge companies. In the future, the company will contribute to meeting the goals of IOWN by proving new measurement solutions ahead of the market. It will accomplish this by obtaining measurement needs of IOWN participating companies at an early stage.