Japanese Fiber Optic Discovery Could Mean Hundred Of High-Def Movie Downloads In Seconds

In a breakthrough that could one day mean we could download movies on our computers by the hundreds in a mere matter of seconds, researchers at Tohoku University in Japan have found a way for existing fiber optic cables to carry data at a rate of hundreds of terabits a second. And this all by slightly altering standard QAM protocols.

I've never really looked into QAM, or quadrature amplitude modulation to be more specific. I have a basic understanding or it and how it applies to today's TV technology, but a quick look at the Wikipedia entry on the topic has moved me to conclude that I won't be explaining it here. I don't need to anyways though, because the important thing is that this is the first time QAM-based methods have worked successfully with fiber optic cables. Until now, it has been the domain of wireless connections.

By using a laser, the Japanese researchers have found a way to allow data to be piped down cables using QAM methods at sickly speeds. Will we be seeing these type of downloading speeds on our home PC's anytime soon? Probably not, but remember those dial-up modems we once used. That wasn't long ago. In 5-10 years, it could very well be feasible to see an entire Netflix library moved to our enormous hard drives in a matter of seconds. Wouldn't that be something!

Via Digital World Tokyo

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Posted by Justin Davey at November 19, 2007 1:00 AM