• Germany edition
Science & Technology
Photo: DPA

Karlsruhe scientists transfer 700 DVDs of data in one second

Published: 24 May 11 08:21 CET | Print version
Updated: 24 May 11 10:06 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/sci-tech/20110524-35209.html

Computer users who despair over slow internet connections should take heart - German scientists have broken a speed record, sending 700 DVDs' worth of data via a single laser beam, in one second.

The scientists at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) said this week they had broken the world record by sending data at a speed of 26 terabits per second.

The data, sent over 50 kilometres (31 miles) on a single laser beam, was coded using a system known as orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) in which the laser beam is divided into separate colour streams.

"With 26 terabits per second, you can simultaneously transmit up to 400 million telephone calls per second," Prof. Jürg Leuthold from KIT said in a statement.

“A few years ago, data rates of 26 terabits per second were deemed utopian even for systems with many lasers, and there would not have been any applications,” he said.

The scientists will now concentrate their efforts on developing systems capable of transmitting between 400 gigabits to 1 terabit per second.

"Our results prove that the physical limits for even extremely high data rates have not yet been reached," said Leuthold.

AFP/The Local/mry

What do you think? Leave your comment below.


Your comments about this article:

08:51 May 24, 2011 by authun
Not sure the sending is so newsworthy as the receiving.
10:29 May 24, 2011 by anurag_bagaria
Wow! That's certainly a great job. Wunderbar!
11:10 May 24, 2011 by iseedaftpeople
well that is certainly impressive.

It still blows my mind sometimes how bandwidth and transfer speed have increased over the last 10 to 15 years. When I was in college and my dorm was finally hooked up to the university's high speed network, I remember us staring in awe at the screen, seeing download rates of 5 Mbps. We felt privileged. And nowadays, a 16 Mpbs DSL line for home use will only cost you between 30 and 40 euros a month.

Fascinating how technology has advanced, although I am not quite sure I can see any applications that would necessitate 26 terabits of bandwidth...yet. Maybe as a super-fast backbone.
13:12 May 24, 2011 by twisted
Truly impressive. My questions are will existing cabling (assuming fiberglass) carry this kind of speed or will new cabling be required? Will such technology only be used for mainline cables or will such speedy downloads eventually be usable by the home consumer?
17:05 May 24, 2011 by zeddriver
While that is great. It would be nice if the German internet providers would be more aggressive in getting Germany hook up to any kind of high speed connection.

I live only 5 miles from a city of 100,000 and we can only get 256k hookup.

In America it's hard to find a place that does not have high speed internet
17:57 May 24, 2011 by Sastry.M
It is indeed possible to overcome difficulties with continuing efforts. Even if we view philosophically 'orthogonality' represents a quadrature shift tied up to a single origin but presented as a duality of 'subject-object' relationship. Frequency relates to rate of activity per second and a laser beam is an electro-magnetic state of activity with predictable or defined coherence of phased actions.Now scientists seem to have succeeded in splitting a single coherent beam of light into many mutually defined orthogonal planes of activity and each such activity is made to carry information in a digitized format such that the total number of bytes contained in 700 dvd's could be transferred in one second. According to Indian Advaita ( Monistic) Philosophy the single origin to all activities whether coherent or random is the fundamental basis and randomness is the characteristic of multifarious phenomenal activities which can only be realized by coherent pursuits in a scientific manner in physical world and Yogic practices in the spiritual realm.
19:40 May 24, 2011 by auniquecorn
Karlsruhe scientists transfer 700 DVDs of data in one second.

(And bragging about it)

if I transfer 1gb, I get arrested, Go figure.
22:04 May 24, 2011 by Jack Kerouac
@sastry

They just impressively transfered some computer data...
23:16 May 24, 2011 by rfwilson
So, exactly HOW can they "divide a laser beam into separate colour streams", when any laser is by definition, monochromatic. The entire operating principle of a laser is that it produces a single pure colour. Sounds like a typical example of a non-technical person, reporting on a technical subject!
05:43 May 25, 2011 by auniquecorn
I think its called, Googled, copied and pasted. from some really out there science journel.
13:52 May 26, 2011 by igotsix
@rfwilson: I think orthogonal has to do with the polarization or phase shifting of the light, not the frequency. Like n a 3d movie where there are two "signals" coming off the screen, one for each eye. The polarized glasses you wear filter the data. There would be multiple planes of light in the laser beam, but definitely not separate colors.

They encode and decode the OFDM data at that speed? There are so many other factors to this. Sure, the data went over the laser beam at that speed. But first it had to be read of off some device into RAM. I think DDR SDRAM has a maximum transfer rate of 1600 MB/s, but that could be outdated. This laser transerred 700,000 MB/s. The rest of the equipment used in this test must be very impressive to be able to measure and handle that transfer rate!
14:19 May 26, 2011 by qube2
@rfwilson

The loser definition of the term laser describes the process of stimulated emission. Despite the idea of temporal coherence implying monochromatic light, there are lasers that emit a broad spectrum of light, or different wave lengths of light simultaneously.

Now what did you say? Ah yes, your post sounds like a typical example of a non-technical....blah...blah...
15:53 May 27, 2011 by electric38
Countries that are moving towards moving a significant portion of their virtual learning will be highly interested in this development. The attempt to open up the multi-lingual field for those in remote areas can be done with confidence. The transfer of digital books will be made easier, especially audio based books for the sight impaired.

Having the return input from those who benefit should help the strength of this idea in a significant way. Keep up the good work!
21:11 May 28, 2011 by JBlooze
@qube2 - somebody's touchy....
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Photo: DPA

Did Merkel's politics hurt Germany at Eurovision?

Eurovision Song Contest favourite Denmark won the competition on Saturday night, while Germany plunged to 21st place – the worst showing in five years – amidst speculation that it was payback for Angela Merkel’s hated policies. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Police warn against high-tech Islamist attacks

The Federal Criminal Police Office is warning of a new type of Islamist terrorist threat from the air that could attack both passenger and cargo planes as well as airport facilities, the Welt am Sonntag newspaper reported. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Some fear inflation if small euro coins cut

European Union proposals to eliminate one and two cent euro coins is annoying some Germans, including a few at the Bundesbank, while others think an EU idea to introduce one and two-euro notes is a good one. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Boy dies at Tropical Islands swimming pool

A 15-year-old boy died on Saturday at the popular “Tropical Islands” swimming and entertainment centre outside of Berlin, the Bild newspaper reported. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Wagner descendant slams composer

As the musical world lavishly celebrates Richard Wagner's bicentenary, the composer's great-grandson insists he is no spoilsport by denouncing the German master as a narcissist, woman-hater and an anti-Semite. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Bayern wins, Dortmund loses ahead of CL Final

If Saturday’s play was any barometer of what may happen at the Champions League final this coming Saturday, then Borussia Dortmund should be very nervous indeed. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Most Germans optimistic about the future

Although less than 50 percent of Germans are optimistic about their current situation, more than half think their future will be better and the number of pessimists in the country dropped, a survey released on Saturday showed. READ () »

Photo: DPA

Organic food stores expand rapidly

Organic food and health stores are undergoing a hefty expansion in Germany, with the Vitalia chain taking over several locations from the bankrupt Schlecker drugstore chain in Munich alone. READ () »

More Science & Technology
RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER AND ALERTS
  1. Burning ship had tonnes of radioactive material »
  2. No child support if dad is anonymous sperm donor »
  3. 'L
    Highlights
    Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: M&S Photo: Private Photo: Katie Needs Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: A Peoples' Picture Photo: Private Photo: DPA Photo: Private Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Photo: DPA Furniture Leasing Corporation Photo: Henrik Trygg/imagebank.sweden.se



    Latest news from The Local in France

    More news from France at thelocal.fr

    Latest news from The Local in Norway

    More news from Norway at thelocal.no

    Latest news from The Local in Sweden

    More news from Sweden at thelocal.se

    Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

    More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

    See all ads | Join the Marketplace

    Jobs in Germany, in English

    786 jobs available
    605 new jobs this week
    28 new jobs today

    ALL JOBS »

    Blog
    Essentials

    Dating
    Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.

    Weather
    "After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.

    Blog
    German stuff that's distracting us today.

    Noticeboard
    Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.

    Discuss
    Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.

    Search News


    Register

    Register now for:
    > Free use of noticeboard
    > Special discounts
    > Weekly news roundup
    > Unlimited use of discuss

    REGISTER FOR FREE »

    News from the Goethe-Institut
    News from Young Germany
    • German first feature film in Cannes
      A directorial debut from Germany makes it to the competition “Un Certain Regard” at the famous film festival on the Côte d’Azur.
    • Traveling Germany: Europa-Park
      Think theme parks:Roller coasters, colorful rides, entertainment, thrills. Think Germany: Europa-Park is the largest amusement park in the country, second in Europe only to Disneyland Paris.
    • Frankfurt – the digital hub
      The Internet hub in Frankfurt am Main is the largest in the world and places Germany in a leading position in the digital world.
    • The European Year of Citizens
      2013 is the European Year of Citizens. They‘re invited to contribute their ideas for the EU, and to discover more about their rights as EU citizens. An example: labour mobility.
    • Neuschwanstein Castle: In Photos
      Neuschwanstein is the most popular tourist attraction in Germany. And for good reason. King Ludwig II's castle looks like it fell out of a book of fairy tales.
    News from DeutschlandOnline

Toytown Germany
Germany's English-speaking crowd
Trade CFDs with InterTrader.com
Start trading shares, equities, forex, etc. No commission on equities; Low min. margins. Apply for a CFDs account now!
Little house in Spain
'Charming, old, beamed cottage for holiday let in Jesus Pobre, Alicante, Spain
www.littlehouseinspain.com/
Albatross Insurance
Professional and qualified consultancy on all insurance and finance matters in Germany, Telephone: +49 2163 571 1740, Email: bg@albatross-assurance.com
www.albatross-assurance.com
Hotel reservations in Berlin
Visiting Berlin anytime soon? Book your hotel in Berlin here.
Rental apartments in Berlin
For home-from-home holiday accommodation, search for a Berlin apartment to rent.