The MCF cable—recently delivered to Portugal—will be deployed along a 26 km underground ring running through the Yellow Line of the Lisbon Metro, linking the Optical Communications Laboratory at ISCTE (LCO Iscte) with the metro stations at Rato and Odivelas. This unique environment provides real-world challenges such as mechanical stress, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations—ideal for testing the limits of multicore fiber technology.

Engineering at the forefront of optical innovation

The installation involves eight reels of cable (six of 4 km and two of 2 km), forming a continuous loop composed of 144 optical fibers, including 74 multicore strands spanning five different MCF types. It is the first deployment of its kind in an operational metro system, reinforcing Europe’s position as a leader in next-generation fiber technologies.

LUMIRing: more than a testbed

Once fully installed, the infrastructure will enable:

• Real-world experimentation of innovative MCF solutions
• Performance benchmarking under dynamic urban conditions
• Testing of new components, data transmission techniques, and sensing applications
• Open access collaboration with national and international partners

Looking ahead

With installation now underway, the LUMIRing project is entering a transformative phase, laying the groundwork for breakthroughs in optical communication, telecom innovation, and digital infrastructure research. The entire team remains committed to driving scientific excellence and fostering collaboration across sectors.

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