Optical Transceivers Supporting Autonomous Driving

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are one of the most talked-about advancements in technology today. When will they become a common sight on our roads? Will they be safe and efficient enough for everyday use? The journey to making AVs a part of daily life involves more than just automotive engineering—it requires robust, high-performing networks capable of supporting massive data flows. Companies like Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, General Motors, and Waymo are leading the charge to deliver safe and fully functional autonomous vehicles. However, the backbone of this technology lies not only in the vehicles themselves but in the networks that support them.

The Role of 5G in Autonomous Driving

One of the biggest challenges facing AVs is the need for real-time communication and data exchange. AVs must constantly communicate with each other and with the surrounding infrastructure to make split-second decisions on traffic patterns, road conditions, and potential hazards. This requires a network that can handle vast amounts of data with minimal delay. Enter 5G technology. With its higher speeds, lower latency, and ability to connect a large number of devices, 5G is an ideal enabler for AV technology, particularly in busy urban environments.

Optical Transceivers: Bridging the Data Highway

When considering a 5G network, it is essential to understand the difference between macrocells and small cells. Macrocells provide broad coverage across large areas, using high-powered antennas on towers or rooftops. Small cells, on the other hand, provide more targeted coverage over shorter distances, often in densely populated areas. Both of these setups involve critical outside (external infrastructure) and inside plant (components installed within a building or central office) elements.

While AVs connect wirelessly to these cells, it’s at the remote radio head (RRH) level where optical transceivers would come into play. The RRH marks the starting point for data generated by AVs to make its journey through the network. Some of this data is processed on the spot in real time by the AV itself, but much of it is sent to a central core network for deeper analysis and storage. According to estimates, each AV could generate up to 4 terabytes of data daily (crazy right?), underscoring the need for efficient data transport systems.

For data transmission from the cells to the core network, SFPWorx offers solutions like 10G SFP+ DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) and 25G DWDM optics. The choice between these options depends on the required link distances—10G SFP+ optics can support distances from 10 to 80 kilometres, while 25G SFP28 is generally limited to 40 kilometres.

Connecting to the Core Network

The core of any high-speed 5G network involves a complex combination of Layer 1 solutions, including optical transceivers, racks, patch panels, fibre cables, and other components. These elements are vital for enabling the fast, low-latency transport of data from the network’s edge to the central data centre, supporting speeds from 100G to 400G DWDM.

As data demands increase, network operators are shifting from 100G and 200G standards to 400G to meet the growing need for bandwidth. However, this transition is not straightforward. Different standards for 400G DWDM optics—such as 400ZR and OpenZR+—come with varying requirements for link distances, power consumption, host platform compatibility, and multi-vendor interoperability.

The Road Ahead for Autonomous Vehicles and Optical Networks

For the billions of people living in cities who could one day rely on AVs, the deployment of robust 5G networks will be crucial. The foundational elements and architectures for these networks are already in place. However, the journey towards a future dominated by AVs involves not just automotive advances but also continuous innovation and adaptation in optical networking.

We leave you with this question: Do you believe a future where autonomous vehicles dominate our roads will unfold within your lifetime? If not, what do you think stands in the way?

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