This custom-designed cable will form the core infrastructure of LUMIRing’s open-access testbed, enabling advanced research on multicore fiber transmission under real-world conditions in a demanding urban underground environment.

8 reels delivered — 26 kilometers of MCF

A total of eight reels of MCF cable have now been delivered:

• 6 reels of 4 km each
• 2 reels of 2 km each

Together, they make up the full 26 km fiber ring that will connect the Optical Communications Laboratory at ISCTE (LCO Iscte) to the Metro stations at Rato and Odivelas, forming a loop that simulates live transmission challenges in an operational subway setting.

A european engineering achievement

The cable is a 100% European-made solution, incorporating 144 fibers, including 74 multicore fiber strands spanning five different MCF types. It represents the first-ever deployment of a multicore fiber cable in such a mechanically stressful environment, where factors like vibration, temperature variation, and infrastructure constraints provide a unique context for testing and validation.

Next steps

With the fiber now on-site in Portugal, the project enters its next phase: preparing for installation along the planned route. Once deployed, the cable will support a wide range of testing, monitoring, and demonstration activities, driving forward the development of new optical communication components, systems, and applications.

The LUMIRing project continues to establish itself as a leading platform for collaborative innovation in fiber optic technologies, combining public infrastructure, academic research, and industrial expertise.

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📡 For collaboration opportunities or technical inquiries get in touch with us.

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