Telecommunication Systems

This book is based on both industrial and academic research efforts in which a number of recent advancements and rare insights into telecommunication systems are well presented. The volume is organized into four parts: "Telecommunication Protocol, Optimization, and Security Frameworks", "Next-Generation Optical Access Technologies", "Convergence of Wireless-Optical Networks" and "Advanced Relay and Antenna Systems for Smart Networks." Chapters within these parts are self-contained and cross-referenced to facilitate further study

WDM/TDM PON bidirectional networks single-fiber/wavelength RSOA-based ONUs layer 1/2 optimization

This Thesis proposes the design and the optimization of a hybrid WDM/TDM PON at the L1 (PHY) and L2 (MAC) layers, in terms of minimum deployment cost and enhanced performance for Greenfield NGPON. The particular case of RSOA-based ONUs and ODN using a single-fibre/single-wavelength is deeply analysed. In this WDM/TDM PON relevant parameters are optimized. Special attention has been given at the main noise impairment in this type of networks: the Rayleigh Backscattering effect, which cannot be prevented. To understand its behaviour and mitigate its effects, a novel mathematical model for the Rayleigh Backscattering in burst mode transmission is presented for the first time, and it has been used to optimize the WDM/TDM RSOA based PON. Also, a cost-effective, simple design SCM WDM/TDM PON with rSOA-based ONU, was optimized and implemented. This prototype was successfully tested showing high performance, robustness, versatility and reliability. So, the system is able to give coverage up to 1280 users at 2.5 Gb/s / 1.25 Gb/s downstream/upstream, over 20 Km, and being compatible with the GPON ITU-T recommendation. This precedent has enabled the SARDANA network to extend the design, architecture and capabilities of a WDM/TDM PON for a long reach metro-access network (100 km). A proposal for an agile Transmission Convergence sub-layer is presented as another relevant contribution of this work. It is based on the optimization of the standards GPON and XG-PON (for compatibility), but applied to a long reach metro-access TDM/WDM PON rSOA-based network with higher client count. Finally, a proposal of physical implementation for the SARDANA layer 2 and possible configurations for SARDANA internetworking, with the metro network and core transport network, are presented

Advances in Optical Amplifiers

Optical amplifiers play a central role in all categories of fibre communications systems and networks. By compensating for the losses exerted by the transmission medium and the components through which the signals pass, they reduce the need for expensive and slow optical-electrical-optical conversion. The photonic gain media, which are normally based on glass- or semiconductor-based waveguides, can amplify many high speed wavelength division multiplexed channels simultaneously. Recent research has also concentrated on wavelength conversion, switching, demultiplexing in the time domain and other enhanced functions. Advances in Optical Amplifiers presents up to date results on amplifier performance, along with explanations of their relevance, from leading researchers in the field. Its chapters cover amplifiers based on rare earth doped fibres and waveguides, stimulated Raman scattering, nonlinear parametric processes and semiconductor media. Wavelength conversion and other enhanced signal processing functions are also considered in depth. This book is targeted at research, development and design engineers from teams in manufacturing industry, academia and telecommunications service operators

Dynamically reconfigurable optical access network

This dissertation presents the research results on a fiber-optic high-bitrate access network which enables dynamic bandwidth allocation as a response to varying subscribers' demands and bandwidth needs of emerging services. The motivation of the research is given in Chapter 1 "Introduction" together with a brief comparative discussion on currently available and future access networks. The idea of wavelength reconfigurability in the last-mile networks is described as a solution for more efficient bandwidth utilization and a subject of the Broadband Photonics project. Chapter 2 "Wavelength-flexible WDM/TDM access network - architecture" provides a comprehensive description of the proposed solution with each network element being analyzed in terms of its functionalities. This includes a colorless optical network unit and a reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer. An estimation of power budget is followed by the choice of wavelength set and network control and management layer overview. In Chapter 3 "Reflective transceiver module for ONU" after discussing different communication schemes and modulation formats three approaches to a colorless high-bitrate transmitter are analyzed in detail. This includes experiment and simulation results on a reflective semiconductor optical amplifier, reflective electro-absorption modulator and a Michelson-interferometer modulator. The Chapter is concluded with a comparative discussion. Chapter 4 "Reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer" discusses another key element in the proposed network architecture which is an integrated structure of micro-ring resonators providing wavelength reconfigurability. The measured characteristics assess the applicability of the device able to support unicast and multicast transmission. A range of possible sources of signal degradation in the access links are analyzed in Chapter 5 "Transmission and network impairments in the access network". An estimation of potential power penalties resulting from such impairments in the proposed system follow afterwards. Special attention is paid to optical in-band crosstalk penalties and improvement methods in Chapter 6 "Interferometric crosstalk in the access network with an RSOA". This subject is treated extensively with the support of mathematical considerations and experimental results. Proof-of-concept experiments of the proposed network architecture are presented in Chapter 7 "Reconfigurable WDM/TDM access network - experiments". The results of bidirectional transmission of high-bitrate WDM signals in different wavelength allocation schemes are discussed in detail. From there, by means of simulations the behavior of a full-scale network is assessed. In Chapter 8 "Migration towards WDM/TDM access network" the migration scenario from currently deployed fiber-optic access networks towards the novel solution is proposed. Afterwards, a short dispute on the economics of last-mile fiber technologies is included. Finally, the work is concluded and potential future research ideas based on this thesis are given in Chapter 9 "Conclusions and further work"

Next generation optical access networks and coexistence with legacy PONs

Nowadays, Fiber-to-the-Home is one of the most promising solutions to provide broadband services in access networks. However, the fiber is inefficiently used as most of the deployed systems are still based on Time Division Multiplexing Passive Optical Networks (TDM-PONs) providing shared transmission capacities up to 2.5 Gb/s down and 1.25 Gb/s up, among multiple users. Research on high-speed electronics and Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) has allowed the emergence of what is known as the second generation PON (NG-PON2), which specify aggregated capacities up to 40 Gb/s, stacking four channels at symmetric data rates of 10 Gb/s each, for residential scenarios. Nevertheless, the capacity per channel is still shared between multiple users due to the use of TDM. Moreover, the optical spectrum efficiency is low because channels are widely spaced (50 to 100 GHz). In addition, the sensitivity, reach and number of users is limited as consequence of using direct detection (DD) systems. In consequence, and due to the increase in bandwidth demands of new multimedia applications, it is necessary to propose solutions that cope with this tendency and, even more important, that can coexist with legacy systems, being one of the major requirements of network operators to guarantee a smooth and non-disruptive technology migration. In this thesis, a breakthrough technology such as Ultra-Dense WDM (UDWDM) that allows to allocate a large number of channels spaced only by a few GHz is used. This approach consent to envision the concept of Wavelength-to-the-User, where each costumer can be served with dedicated bandwidth links. The key technologies are based on coherent systems, with inherent wavelength selectivity and improved sensitivity compared to DD systems, thanks to the booster action of a tunable local oscillator (LO) laser. Because of cost is the main constraint in access networks, especially at the customer premises equipment (Optical Network Unit - ONU), in this thesis, a new class of coherent transceivers, based on low-cost direct modulated lasers and simplified receiver schemes, are proposed and experimentally tested. Moreover, the issue of coexistence is investigated through theoretical studies and real-time implementations, demonstrating full compatibility with legacy systems. Between the proposed solutions, a simple technique to adjust digitally the direct phase modulation of a distributed feedback (DFB) laser is presented to support flexible transmission rates. Next, several multilevel phase modulation formats for achieving higher transmission rates and better spectral efficiency are experimentally compared. Subsequently, the topic of photonic integration is addressed, demonstrating for the first time an 8-ary hybrid amplitude and phase modulated transmitter (Tx), by using a low-cost, small-footprint and energy efficient dual electro-absorption modulated laser (DEML). Finally, two novel proposals, to reduce the complexity of heterodyne and intradyne detection, are provided to face the typical issue of complexity and high-cost of coherent systems. The former explores the possibility of using only one DFB laser as LO and Tx at the ONU. The later demonstrates for the first time, a novel phase time diversity technique alternating phase modulation at each complex component (in-phase - I and quadrature - Q) achieving a 10 Gb/s' transmission with polarization independence.En la actualidad, la Fibra hasta el Hogar es una de las soluciones más prometedoras para proporcionar servicios de banda ancha en las redes de acceso. Sin embargo, la fibra se usa de manera poco eficiente, ya que la mayoría de los sistemas implementados todavía están basados en redes ópticas pasivas de multiplexación por división en el tiempo (TDM-PON) que brindan capacidades de transmisión compartidas entre múltiples usuarios de hasta 2.5 Gb/s y 1.25 Gb/s. La investigación en electrónica de alta velocidad y la multiplexación por división de longitud de onda (WDM) ha permitido el surgimiento de lo hoy se conoce como PON de segunda generación (NG-PON2), que especifica capacidades agregadas de hasta 40 Gb/s, apilando cuatro canales a velocidades de datos simétricas de 10 Gb/s cada uno, para escenarios residenciales. Sin embargo, la capacidad por canal todavía se comparte entre múltiples usuarios debido al uso de TDM. Además, la eficiencia en el uso del espectro óptico es baja porque los canales están muy separados (50 a 100 GHz). Asimismo, la sensibilidad, el alcance y el número de usuarios están limitados debido al uso de sistemas de detección directa. En consecuencia, y debido al aumento de las demandas de ancho de banda de las nuevas aplicaciones multimedia, es necesario proponer soluciones que respondan a esta tendencia y, lo que es más importante, que puedan coexistir con sistemas heredados, siendo uno de los principales requisitos de los operadores de red para garantizar una migración de tecnología fluida y sin interrupciones. En esta tesis, se utiliza una tecnología de vanguardia, como la multiplexación por división ultra densa de longitud de onda (UDWDM) que permite distribuir un gran número de canales espaciados solo por unos pocos GHz. Este enfoque permite vislumbrar el concepto de longitud de onda para el usuario, donde cada cliente puede usar enlaces de ancho de banda dedicados. Las tecnologías clave están basadas en los sistemas coherentes, con selectividad de longitud de onda inherente y sensibilidad mejorada en comparación con los sistemas de detección directa, gracias al efecto de amplificación óptica de un láser oscilador local (LO) sintonizable. Debido a que el costo es la principal restricción en las redes de acceso, especialmente del equipo en las instalaciones del cliente (unidad de red óptica - ONU), en ésta tesis, una nueva clase de transceptores coherentes, basados en láseres de bajo coste modulados directamente y esquemas de recepción simplificados, son propuestos y probados experimentalmente. Además, el problema de la coexistencia es investigado a través de estudios teóricos y experimentos en tiempo real, demostrando compatibilidad total con los sistemas heredados. Entre las soluciones propuestas, se presenta una técnica simple para ajustar digitalmente la modulación de fase directa de un láser de retroalimentación distribuida (DFB), y admitir velocidades de transmisión flexibles. Acto seguido, se comparan experimentalmente varios formatos multinivel de modulación de fase, para lograr tasas de transmisión más altas y una mejor eficiencia espectral. Posteriormente, se aborda el tema de la integración fotónica, demostrando por primera vez un transmisor (Tx) con modulación híbrida de fase y amplitud de ocho puntos, mediante el uso de un dispositivo pequeño, de bajo coste y eficiente energéticamente, como lo es el láser dual de electro-absorción modulada (DEML). Finalmente, se presentan dos propuestas novedosas para reducir la complejidad de la detección heterodina e intradina, afrontando el problema típico de la complejidad y alto coste de los sistemas coherentes. La primera explora la posibilidad de usar solo un láser DFB en la ONU, como LO y Tx. La segunda, demuestra por primera vez, una nueva técnica de diversidad fase en el tiempo, que alterna la modulación de fase en cada componente del plano complejo (fase-I y cuadratura-Q) logrando una transmisión de 10 Gb / s / λ con independencia de polarizaciónPostprint (published version

Next generation optical access networks and coexistence with legacy PONs

Nowadays, Fiber-to-the-Home is one of the most promising solutions to provide broadband services in access networks. However, the fiber is inefficiently used as most of the deployed systems are still based on Time Division Multiplexing Passive Optical Networks (TDM-PONs) providing shared transmission capacities up to 2.5 Gb/s down and 1.25 Gb/s up, among multiple users. Research on high-speed electronics and Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) has allowed the emergence of what is known as the second generation PON (NG-PON2), which specify aggregated capacities up to 40 Gb/s, stacking four channels at symmetric data rates of 10 Gb/s each, for residential scenarios. Nevertheless, the capacity per channel is still shared between multiple users due to the use of TDM. Moreover, the optical spectrum efficiency is low because channels are widely spaced (50 to 100 GHz). In addition, the sensitivity, reach and number of users is limited as consequence of using direct detection (DD) systems. In consequence, and due to the increase in bandwidth demands of new multimedia applications, it is necessary to propose solutions that cope with this tendency and, even more important, that can coexist with legacy systems, being one of the major requirements of network operators to guarantee a smooth and non-disruptive technology migration. In this thesis, a breakthrough technology such as Ultra-Dense WDM (UDWDM) that allows to allocate a large number of channels spaced only by a few GHz is used. This approach consent to envision the concept of Wavelength-to-the-User, where each costumer can be served with dedicated bandwidth links. The key technologies are based on coherent systems, with inherent wavelength selectivity and improved sensitivity compared to DD systems, thanks to the booster action of a tunable local oscillator (LO) laser. Because of cost is the main constraint in access networks, especially at the customer premises equipment (Optical Network Unit - ONU), in this thesis, a new class of coherent transceivers, based on low-cost direct modulated lasers and simplified receiver schemes, are proposed and experimentally tested. Moreover, the issue of coexistence is investigated through theoretical studies and real-time implementations, demonstrating full compatibility with legacy systems. Between the proposed solutions, a simple technique to adjust digitally the direct phase modulation of a distributed feedback (DFB) laser is presented to support flexible transmission rates. Next, several multilevel phase modulation formats for achieving higher transmission rates and better spectral efficiency are experimentally compared. Subsequently, the topic of photonic integration is addressed, demonstrating for the first time an 8-ary hybrid amplitude and phase modulated transmitter (Tx), by using a low-cost, small-footprint and energy efficient dual electro-absorption modulated laser (DEML). Finally, two novel proposals, to reduce the complexity of heterodyne and intradyne detection, are provided to face the typical issue of complexity and high-cost of coherent systems. The former explores the possibility of using only one DFB laser as LO and Tx at the ONU. The later demonstrates for the first time, a novel phase time diversity technique alternating phase modulation at each complex component (in-phase - I and quadrature - Q) achieving a 10 Gb/s' transmission with polarization independence.En la actualidad, la Fibra hasta el Hogar es una de las soluciones más prometedoras para proporcionar servicios de banda ancha en las redes de acceso. Sin embargo, la fibra se usa de manera poco eficiente, ya que la mayoría de los sistemas implementados todavía están basados en redes ópticas pasivas de multiplexación por división en el tiempo (TDM-PON) que brindan capacidades de transmisión compartidas entre múltiples usuarios de hasta 2.5 Gb/s y 1.25 Gb/s. La investigación en electrónica de alta velocidad y la multiplexación por división de longitud de onda (WDM) ha permitido el surgimiento de lo hoy se conoce como PON de segunda generación (NG-PON2), que especifica capacidades agregadas de hasta 40 Gb/s, apilando cuatro canales a velocidades de datos simétricas de 10 Gb/s cada uno, para escenarios residenciales. Sin embargo, la capacidad por canal todavía se comparte entre múltiples usuarios debido al uso de TDM. Además, la eficiencia en el uso del espectro óptico es baja porque los canales están muy separados (50 a 100 GHz). Asimismo, la sensibilidad, el alcance y el número de usuarios están limitados debido al uso de sistemas de detección directa. En consecuencia, y debido al aumento de las demandas de ancho de banda de las nuevas aplicaciones multimedia, es necesario proponer soluciones que respondan a esta tendencia y, lo que es más importante, que puedan coexistir con sistemas heredados, siendo uno de los principales requisitos de los operadores de red para garantizar una migración de tecnología fluida y sin interrupciones. En esta tesis, se utiliza una tecnología de vanguardia, como la multiplexación por división ultra densa de longitud de onda (UDWDM) que permite distribuir un gran número de canales espaciados solo por unos pocos GHz. Este enfoque permite vislumbrar el concepto de longitud de onda para el usuario, donde cada cliente puede usar enlaces de ancho de banda dedicados. Las tecnologías clave están basadas en los sistemas coherentes, con selectividad de longitud de onda inherente y sensibilidad mejorada en comparación con los sistemas de detección directa, gracias al efecto de amplificación óptica de un láser oscilador local (LO) sintonizable. Debido a que el costo es la principal restricción en las redes de acceso, especialmente del equipo en las instalaciones del cliente (unidad de red óptica - ONU), en ésta tesis, una nueva clase de transceptores coherentes, basados en láseres de bajo coste modulados directamente y esquemas de recepción simplificados, son propuestos y probados experimentalmente. Además, el problema de la coexistencia es investigado a través de estudios teóricos y experimentos en tiempo real, demostrando compatibilidad total con los sistemas heredados. Entre las soluciones propuestas, se presenta una técnica simple para ajustar digitalmente la modulación de fase directa de un láser de retroalimentación distribuida (DFB), y admitir velocidades de transmisión flexibles. Acto seguido, se comparan experimentalmente varios formatos multinivel de modulación de fase, para lograr tasas de transmisión más altas y una mejor eficiencia espectral. Posteriormente, se aborda el tema de la integración fotónica, demostrando por primera vez un transmisor (Tx) con modulación híbrida de fase y amplitud de ocho puntos, mediante el uso de un dispositivo pequeño, de bajo coste y eficiente energéticamente, como lo es el láser dual de electro-absorción modulada (DEML). Finalmente, se presentan dos propuestas novedosas para reducir la complejidad de la detección heterodina e intradina, afrontando el problema típico de la complejidad y alto coste de los sistemas coherentes. La primera explora la posibilidad de usar solo un láser DFB en la ONU, como LO y Tx. La segunda, demuestra por primera vez, una nueva técnica de diversidad fase en el tiempo, que alterna la modulación de fase en cada componente del plano complejo (fase-I y cuadratura-Q) logrando una transmisión de 10 Gb / s / λ con independencia de polarizació