TBps

Tbps, short for terabits per second, is a unit of data transfer rate equal to 10^12 bits per second. It is used to quantify extremely high-capacity communication links and network infrastructures, such as global internet backbones, intercontinental fiber paths, and data center interconnects. Tbps-scale capacity represents the aggregate throughput achievable across multiple channels, rather than a single fiber's nominal speed.

Realization of Tbps-scale links typically relies on multiplexing many parallel channels. Modern long-haul and metro networks employ dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) with coherent modulation, enabling high-order constellations and advanced forward error correction to increase spectral efficiency. Achieving Tbps per fiber pair generally requires multiple wavelength channels, high optical signal-to-noise ratio, and sophisticated network engineering.

Tbps-scale capacity is a goal for both providers and researchers. In practice, backbone and data center networks measure throughput in aggregate across many fibers and links; individual channels are commonly 100 Gbps or higher, with laboratory demonstrations reaching higher effective rates through aggregation. The term is often used to contrast with lower-rate links such as 1 Gbps, 10 Gbps, or 100 Gbps.

Note: Tbps refers to data rate in bits per second. It should not be confused with TB/s (terabytes per second). Because one byte equals eight bits, 1 TB/s equals 8 Tbps. Understanding the distinction is important for interpreting specifications and performance reports.