Victorian innovation could increase broadband capacity tenfold
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22 October 2009
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Victorian researchers at Monash University have developed an inexpensive optical fibre technology that has the potential to increase data capacity tenfold and relieve strained broadband networks around the world by improving download times.
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The technology could be used to deliver high speed broadband to Australian homes through the Commonwealth Government’s National Broadband Network (NBN).
Information and Communication Technology Minister John Lenders said the project confirmed that Melbourne should be the home of the NBN.
The innovation was developed by Professors Arthur Lowery and Jean Armstrong, who said there has been exponential growth in data-heavy internet applications such as video.
“This poses a major challenge to the existing optical fibre infrastructure unless the capacity on existing fibres can be augmented," said Professor Lowery.
The technology is known as optical Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (oOFDM). It applies ADSL principles, used to expand the capacity of data transfer over traditional copper and wireless broadband, to optical fibre cables.
"The appeal of oOFDM is that it offers an inexpensive means of dramatically increasing long-haul capacity from the current transmission rate of 10 Gigabits per second to more than 100 Gigabits per second, over new and existing optical fibre."
Minister for Innovation Gavin Jennings said the Monash University research team’s innovation was a significant achievement that could change the way people use the internet around the world.
The technology is patented by researchers at Monash University and is being commercialised by Ofidium Pty Ltd, which received funding from venture capital firm Starfish Ventures as well as $250,000 from Trans Tasman Commercialisation Fund, which is supported by the Victorian Government.
Mr Lenders said the achievement builds on the recent announcement of the $50 million Institute for a Broadband Enabled Society (IBES), which is researching the development of new fibre broadband application technologies.
Mr Jennings said, “The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to support our world-class university research, and helping Victorians take their innovations to the world. The research is the kind that continues to place Victoria at the forefront of worldwide technology innovation.” |
