Latest survey on optical fiber communication

Abstract

As one of the four most significant inventions since World War II, optical fiber communication has provided a foundation for the development of the information society, carrying more than 90% of the global data traffic. However, it is expected that it will encounter a "capacity crisis" in the next two decades. This paper focuses on the five development dimensions of optical fiber communications: ultra-high speed, ultra-large capacity, ultra-long distance, ultra-wideband flexibility, and ultra-powerful intelligence (5U). Based on a review of its development over the past 50 years, the paper provides a comprehensive review of the latest progress achieved in the past decade and presents a bold outlook on the evolutionary trends in the next decade or even two. This review hopes to provide a reference for researchers in related fields.