Cost Estimation of Space-Division- Multiplexing Fibers

• Published in: Journal of lightwave technology Vol. 43; no. 18; pp. 8876 - 8884
• Main Author: Sillard, Pierre
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 15.09.2025; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Cables; Claddings; Costs; Drilling; Fanout; Fibers; Manufacturing; Manufacturing processes; Multiplexers; Multiplexing; Optical fiber communication; Optical fiber devices; Optical fibers; Preforms; Sensitivity analysis; Symbols
• ISSN: 0733-8724; 1558-2213
• DOI: 10.1109/JLT.2025.3588723

We estimate the costs of multi-core single-mode fibers (MCFs) and single-core few-mode fibers (FMFs) for space-division multiplexing (SDM), taking into account their specific designs, manufacturing processes, and measurement procedures. We show that current state-of-the-art MCFs with up to 7 cores can achieve a cost per core comparable to that of single-mode fiber (SMF). Furthermore, MCFs with 12 cores may become cost-competitive with realistic improvements in yield and/or preform capacity. However, MCFs with more cores do not yet appear cost-effective. As for FMFs, we show that the cost per mode is already lower than that of SMF at currently achievable yield levels. While some of our assumptions may be subject to refinement, the sensitivity analysis of SDM fiber costs with respect to various process-dependent parameters suggests that our key conclusions will remain valid for different manufacturing processes and measurement procedures. These cost estimations for SDM fibers provide a more accurate basis for evaluating potential cost-per-bit improvements in SDM systems, while also considering additional expenses related to transponders, repeaters, cables, fan-in/fan-out devices or mode (de)multiplexers, and deployments. This could ultimately pave the way for their broader adoption.