Optics and telecommunications are rapidly developing faster speeds, wider area networks, and higher capacities. Proprietary Asahi Glass technologies facilitate design of architectures for the evolving information infrastructure. New materials, devices and systems are tailored to provide the functions for future broadband communications and networks.

The transmission spectrum of conventional SI (step index) acrylic plastic fiber was limited and could not cope with transmission capacities of the order of one gigabit per second. In the clamor for a new material that could handle high-speed transmission, we focused our attention on our transparent fluoropolymer. This type of flexible but transparent material was originally developed by Asahi Glass in 1988, a world äirst. ENoticing its ability to transmit a wide range of the spectrum from ultraviolet to infrared, we drew on our combined expertise in fluoropolymer synthesis, molecular design, and fiber-making. Aiming to design a perfluorinated amorphous polymer GI (graded index) plastic optical fiber that matches the wide transmission spectrum ?c wavelengths of 650 to 1300nm, our development succeeded with Lucina?z.
  Because it is plastic, Lucina?z is flexible and difficult to break. The larger core diameter is another advantage: Lucina?z is much simpler to connect and easier to handle than silica glass fiber. Exploration of possibilities during application and practical development suggests that Lucina?z has unlimited potential for extending transmission distances and increasing transmission speeds.

Perfluorinated amorphous polymer
Amorphous transparent resins have an excellent transmissivility from ultraviolet to near infrared regions. Using our superior molecular design abilities we did what no-one had done before and made a spheroidal structure. Thus, we created the world's first transparent fluouropolymer. It is impervious to moisture and has superb corrosion resistance. Moreover, solvent-soluble coatings down to angstrom levels can also be applied. It is full of promise, and not only for fiber optical applications. It can also be developed for electronics, optical, and a wide range of other fields.

WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) systems are being installed to meet the expanding demand for broader Internet bandwidth capacity. WDM signal intensity decays by about hundred times during transmission over 100 km of optical fiber. Attenuation also occurs in metropolitan networks as signals are split. Optical amplifiers are therefore essential to regenerate attenuated signals to their original intensity. WDM optical amplifiers can amplify whole WDM signals, thus, the amplifier is a key technology pushing WDM system deployment. The Er-doped optical fiber for WDM amplifiers developed by Asahi Glass is based on our long history of research into bismuth based glass. Our success is an epoch-making solution to information transmission. Its properties enable both broadband amplification and 100 times higher amplifying performance per unit fiber length.

The ITS (Intelligent Transport System) and next-generation wireless communication systems will rapidly evolve.
   For these applications, we propose smart antennas built into glass.
   For ETC (Electric Toll Collection) systems, vehicles will have a planar microwave antenna and circuitry on the surface of the windshield.

   This approach ensures performance that can take into account the influences of the car body and the windshield. This development aims both to promote safety by giving drivers a clear view and to match the antenna system to the aesthetics of body styling.

Evaluation of glass antenna performance
Evaluation of glass antenna performance is carried out in a fully anechoic chamber (a special room isolated from external electromagnetic radiation). The optimal antenna pattern was designed and developed by accumulating, analyzing, and testing various categories of data.

Transparent active integrated antenna
The antenna, matching circuit, and oscillator are integrated on a transparent glass substrate. The array disposition enables space power synthesis and control of antenna directionality pattern.