Telecoms
05.06.2025 2025-06-06 6:58Telecoms
Telecoms
optical communication
Modern telecommunications infrastructure demands unprecedented precision in timing synchronization. 5G networks, high-frequency trading systems, and distributed computing architectures require femtosecond-level timing accuracy to maintain optimal performance and reliability. The increasing complexity of telecom networks, combined with the growing demand for ultra-low latency applications, has made precision timing distribution a critical technological requirement.
Fiber-optic timing distribution systems represent the state-of-the-art solution for meeting these stringent synchronization requirements. By leveraging advanced optical communication technologies and precision metrology, these systems can deliver sub-femtosecond timing stability across extensive fiber networks, enabling seamless coordination between distributed telecom infrastructure components.
The foundation of these systems relies on ultra-low noise pulse trains generated by mode-locked lasers serving as master timing references. These precision timing signals are transmitted through dedicated fiber-optic links to remote telecom nodes, where sophisticated stabilization techniques compensate for transmission delays and environmental variations. Remote oscillators and signal processing equipment are then phase-locked to these stabilized timing references, ensuring network-wide synchronization.
Femtosecond timing for Telecom Applications
Ultra-precise timing distribution is essential for modern telecommunications infrastructure including 5G base stations, data centers, and high-frequency trading networks. Optical fiber-based timing systems provide the reliability and precision needed to synchronize equipment across metropolitan and wide-area networks spanning hundreds of kilometers.
Menhir Photonics' MENHIR-1550 series enables:
- Superior passive repetition rate stability for telecom applications
- Industry-leading low timing jitter performance
- Exceptional reliability for 24/7 telecom operations
- Long-term stability for critical infrastructure deployment
Find out how to characterize the MENHIR-1550 optical frequency comb using APEX Technologies’ high-resolution optical spectrum analyzer in our latest Whitepaper.
Menhir Photonics’ product strengths
Excellent passive repetition rate stability
Lowest timing-jitter on the market
Ultra-high reliability and long lifetime
Whitepaper
To find out more about the characterization of Menhir Photonics's lasers download the Whitepaper.
MENHIR-1550 SERIES
Menhir Photonics added values
Menhir Photonics offers modelocked lasers with the lowest phase-noise available on the market today combined with extreme reliability. The graph/figure below shows a typical phase noise measurement for a free-running laser of the MENHIR-1550 series, measured on the 10 GHz carrier i.e. the 40th harmonics (250 MHz pulse repetition rate). Note that the noise floor of the measurement limits the integrated timing jitter to approximately 500 as (attoseconds).
Phase noise power spectrum of a free-running MENHIR-1550 250MHz laser measured at the 10 GHz harmonics.
Integrated timing jitter starting at 10 MHz for the same free-running laser.
All lasers of the MENHIR-1550 SERIES have an optional fast repetition rate tuning with a modulation bandwidth of >50 kHz for repetition rate locking or synchronization. In addition, there is also the option for fast modulation of the pump current.
The MENHIR-1550 SERIES reaches unmatched levels of industrial quality and environmental stability. It has been excessively tested for vibrations, shocks and other external disturbances (space and aerospace related standard tests). For integration into space-critical applications, customized small-sized versions are available.