Specialists at Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University 'LETI' have developed a special X-ray unit to effectively detect defects in underwater fibre optic cables in the Arctic zone. The new technology can improve the detectability of defects by more than 10%, which is important for ensuring stable communications in Russia's northern regions, the LETI press service told TASS on Friday.

To prevent communication breakdowns, specialists need a system to accurately monitor where cables are connected. To solve this problem, LETI scientists have developed the RUNC-50 X-ray unit, which has no analogues in Russia and makes it possible to detect defects in joints of information and power cable lines by means of tomographic control and subsequent mathematical modelling.

To date, consumers have already received four units of this type, and one of them is already operating in the Arctic zone, the press service told the agency. Several more are scheduled for delivery before the end of the year.