Cost-Effective Spectrally-Efficient Optical Transceiver Architectures for Metropolitan and Regional Links

The work presented herein explores cost-effective optical transceiver architectures for access, metropolitan and regional links. The primary requirement in such links is cost-effectiveness and secondly, spectral efficiency. The bandwidth/data demand is driven by data-intensive Internet applications, such as cloud-based services and video-on-demand, and is rapidly increasing in access and metro links. Therefore, cost-effective optical transceiver architectures offering high information spectral densities (ISDs > 1(b/s)/Hz) need to be implemented over metropolitan distances. Then, a key question for each link length and application is whether coherent- or direct (non-coherent) detection technology offers the best cost and performance trade-off. The performance and complexity limits of both technologies have been studied. Single polarization direct detection transceivers have been reviewed, focusing on their achievable ISDs and reach. It is concluded that subcarrier modulation (SCM) technique combined with single sideband (SSB) and high-order quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signaling, enabled by digital signal processing (DSP) based optical transceivers, must be implemented in order to exceed an ISD of 1 (b/s)/Hz in direct-detection links. The complexity can be shifted from the optical to the electrical domain using such transceivers, and hence, the cost can be minimized. In this regard, a detailed performance comparison of two spectrally-efficient direct detection SCM techniques, namely Nyquist-SCM and OFDM, is presented by means of simulations. It is found out that Nyquist-SCM format offers the transmission distances more than double that of OFDM due to its higher resilience to signal-signal beating interference. Following this, dispersion-precompensated SSB 4- and 16-QAM Nyquist-SCM signal formats were experimentally demonstrated using in-phase and quadrature (IQ)-modulators at net optical ISDs of 1.2 and 2 (b/s)/Hz over 800 km and 323 km of standard single-mode fibre (SSMF), respectively. These demonstrations represent record net optical ISDs over such distances among the reported single polarization wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) systems. Furthermore, since the cost-effectiveness is crucial, the optical complexity of Nyquist-SCM transmitters can be significantly reduced by using low-cost modulators and high-linewidth lasers. A comprehensive theoretical study on SSB signal generation using IQ- and dual-drive Mach-Zehnder modulators (DD-MZMs) was carried out to assess their performance for WDM direct detection links. This was followed by an experimental demonstration of WDM transmission over 242 km of SSMF with a net optical ISD of 1.5 (b/s)/Hz, the highest achieved ISD using a DD-MZM-based transmitter. Following the assessment of direct detection technology using various transmitter designs, cost-effective simplified coherent receiver architectures for access and metro networks have been investigated. The optical complexity of the conventional (polarization- and phase-diverse) coherent receiver is significantly simplified, i.e., consisting of a single 3 dB coupler and balanced photodetector, utilizing heterodyne reception and Alamouti polarization-time block coding. Although the achievable net optical ISD is halved compared to a conventional coherent receiver due to Alamouti coding, its receiver sensitivity provides significant gain over a direct detection receiver at M-ary QAM formats where M ≥16

Performance limits in optical communications due to fiber nonlinearity

In this paper, we review the historical evolution of predictions of the performance of optical communication systems. We will describe how such predictions were made from the outset of research in laser based optical communications and how they have evolved to their present form, accurately predicting the performance of coherently detected communication systems

Directly Phase Modulated Transmitters and Coherent Recivers for Future Passive Optical Networks (PON)

En los últimos años, el tráfico de dato transmitido en las redes ópticas de acceso ha crecido exponencialmente debido a nuevos servicios como pueden ser la computación en la nube, el video online, la realidad virtual y aumentada, el internet de las cosas (IoT) y la convergencia entre las redes ópticas y redes inalámbricas en el paradigma del 5G. Estos nuevos servicios endurecen los requerimientos de las redes ópticas de acceso, como pueden ser unas tasas de datos más altas, un mayor alcance y un mayor número de usuarios. Para abordar estos requerimientos, esta tesis ha investigado, desarrollado y analizado nuevas tecnologías para transmisores y receptores orientadas a los dos tipos de redes ópticas de acceso que la comunidad científica ha identificado como posibles candidatas. Estos dos tipos de redes ópticas son las redes uDWDM y las redes TWDM como las redes NG-PON2 y sus evoluciones.Las redes uDWDM están basadas en la transmisión de tasas de datos relativamente bajas, por debajo de 2.5 Gbps, que son dedicadas en su totalidad a los usuarios finales. Estas tasas de datos relativamente bajas son multiplexadas en longitud de onda usando intervalos frecuenciales estrechos, del orden de 12.5 GHz o 6.25 GHz. En esta tesis, los transmisores modulados directamente en fase se han propuesto como posibles candidatos para estas redes uDWDM. En concreto, se han propuesto un DFB modulado directamente en fase con una tasa de datos de 1 Gbps; un RSOA bombeado por un VCSEL y modulado directamente en fase con una tasa de datos de 1 Gbps; y un VCSEL modulado directamente en fase con una tasa de datos de 1.25 Gbps y 2.5 Gbps. Estas señales moduladas directamente en fase son recibidas con un receptor heterodino con un único fotodiodo (PD) para mantener el coste tan bajo como sea posible. La combinación de estos transmisores modulados directamente en fase con el receptor heterodino con un único PD ha sido probada como unos candidatos muy prometedores para las redes ópticas de acceso basadas en redes uDWDM. Estas combinaciones proveen sensibilidades que varían entre -39.5 dBm y -52 dBm, que se traducen en balances de potencia que van desde 38.5 dB a 51 dB y por lo tanto en ratios de división o número de usuarios de entre 128 y 1024 después de una transmisión de 50 km a través de fibra monomodo estándar (SSMF).Además, los links de 1 Gbps formados por la modulación directa de DFBs o de RSOAs bombeados por VCSELs y el receptor heterodino con un único PD son usados como enlace de subida en canales bidireccionales. Estos enlaces de subida son combinados con enlaces de bajada basados en Nyquist-DPSK generada con un MZM y recibidos con un receptor heterodino de un único PD. Como parte de análisis de los canales bidireccionales, se ha analizado el estudio de la viabilidad del uso de LOs de bajo coste, como DFBs o VCSELs, en los receptores heterodinos con un único PD. Estos canales bidireccionales son también unos candidatos prometedores para las futuras redes uDWDM, ya que en esta tesis se ha probado que pueden proveer enlaces full-duplex de 1 Gbps usando intervalos frecuenciales tan pequeños como 6.25 GHz o 5 GHz. Estos canales bidireccionales tienen balances de potencia que van desde 37 dB a 42 dB y tienen posibles ratios de división de 128 o 256 después de una transmisión de 50 km a través de SSMF.Esta tesis también ha investigado y desarrollado receptores quasicoherentes para redes NG-PON2 y sus evoluciones. Este tipo de redes están basadas en altas tasas de datos, como 10 Gbps para redes NG-PON2 y 25 Gbps para las futuras evoluciones de NG-PON2, en entornos multi longitud de onda donde los usuarios son multiplexados en tiempo y longitud de onda (TWDM). El receptor quasicoherente usa la amplificación coherente gracias a la recepción heterodina y por tanto la sensibilidad del receptor es mejorada en comparación con los esquemas de detección directa. El receptor quasicoherente es independiente a la polarización, lo cual es una característica importante para los receptores coherentes. Además, el receptor quasicoherente permite seleccionar el canal de trabajo sin la necesidad de filtros ópticos y es un receptor independiente de la longitud de onda debido a que el canal de trabajo se puede elegir ajustando la longitud de onda del LO. El receptor quasicoherente de 10 Gbps muestra una sensibilidad -35.2 dBm y por tanto permite un balance de potencias de 35.64 dB y un ratio de división de 128 después de una transmisión de 40 km a través de SSMF.La combinación del receptor quasicoherente con un ecualizador FFE/DFE permite combatir la dispersión cromática de la banda C y conseguir un link de 25 Gbps con un alcance de 20 km a través de SSMF. El receptor quasicoherente a 25 Gbps con ecualización FFE/DFE muestra una mejor sensibilidad de -30.5 dBm con el llamado ecualizador de altas prestaciones, lo que lleva a un balance de potencias de25 dB. Si se utilizada el llamado ecualizador de baja complejidad, la sensibilidad cae a -27 dBm y el balance de potencias cae a 23 dBm. En ambos casos, el receptor quasicoherente a 25 Gbps con ecualización FFE/DFE permite un ratio de división de 32 después de una transmisión de 20 km a través de SSMF.En conclusión, esta tesis ha presentado transmisores (DFB, RSOA y VCSEL) modulados directamente en fase combinados con un receptor heterodino con un único PD como potenciales candidatos para las redes uDWDM. Esta tesis también ha presentados los receptores quasicoherentes como unos candidatos muy prometedores para las redes NG-PON2 y sus futuras evoluciones.<br /

Optical multicarrier sources for spectrally efficient optical networks

During the last 30 years the capacity of commercial optical systems exceeded the network traffic requirements, mainly due to the extraordinary scalability of wavelength division multiplexing technology that has been successfully used to expand capacity in optical systems and meet increasing bandwidth requirements since the early 1990’s. Nevertheless, the rapid growth of network traffic inverted this situation and current trends show faster growing network traffic than system capacity. To enable further and faster growth of optical communication network capacity, several breakthroughs occurred during the last decade. First, optical coherent communications, which were the subject of intensive research in the 1980’s, were revived. This triggered the employment of advanced modulation formats. Afterwards, with the introduction of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and Nyquist WDM modulation techniques in optical communication systems, very efficient utilisation of the available spectral bandwidth was enabled. In such systems the spectral guard bands between neighbouring channels are minimised, at the expense of stricter requirements on the performance of optical sources, especially the frequency (or wavelength) stability. Attractive solutions to address the frequency stability issues are optical multicarrier sources which simultaneously generate multiple phase correlated optical carriers that ensure that the frequency difference between the carriers is fixed. In this thesis, a number of optical multicarrier sources are presented and analysed, with special focus being on semiconductor mode-locked lasers and gain-switched comb sources. High capacity and spectrally efficient optical systems for short and medium reach applications (from 3 km up to 300 km), based on optical frequency combs as optical sources, advanced modulation formats (m-QAM) and modulation techniques (OFDM and Nyquist WDM) have been proposed and presented. Also, certain optoelectronic devices (i.e. semiconductor optical amplifier) and techniques (feed-forward heterodyne linewidth reduction scheme) have been utilised to enable the desired system performance

Overview of high-speed TDM-PON beyond 50 Gbps per wavelength using digital signal processing [Invited Tutorial]

The recent evolution of passive optical network standards and related research activities for physical layer solutions that achieve bit rates well above 10 Gbps per wavelength (lambda) is discussed. We show that the advancement toward 50, 100, and 200 Gbps/lambda will certainly require a strong introduction of advanced digital signal processing (DSP) technologies for linear, and maybe nonlinear, equalization and for forward error correction. We start by reviewing in detail the current standardization activities in the International Telecommunication Union and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and then we present a comparison of the DSP approaches for traditional direct detection solutions and for future coherent detection approaches. (c) 2022 Optica Publishing Grou

Quasi-lossless data transmission with ultra-long Raman fibre laser based amplification

The project consists of an experimental and numerical modelling study of the applications of ultra-long Raman fibre laser (URFL) based amplification techniques for high-speed multi-wavelength optical communications systems. The research is focused in telecommunications C-band 40 Gb/s transmission data rates with direct and coherent detection. The optical transmission performance of URFL based systems in terms of optical noise, gain bandwidth and gain flatness for different system configurations is evaluated. Systems with different overall span lengths, transmission fibre types and data modulation formats are investigated. Performance is compared with conventional Erbium doped fibre amplifier based system to evaluate system configurations where URFL based amplification provide performance or commercial advantages

Kerr nonlinearity in optical communication systems

Single-mode fibers (SMFs) are approaching their nonlinear capacity limit soon, andthe new technology for increasing the capacity per fiber like space-division multiplexing(SDM) is not ready yet. Therefore, mitigating the nonlinearity in SMFs becomesan important aspect of the current research. Optical phase conjugation (OPC) comesas a promising method for simultaneous compensation of dispersion and nonlinearityin optical fiber link for a broadband signal and in real-time. However, it is limitedby the power and dispersion symmetry requirements around the mid-link OPC device.The power symmetry almost has been achieved by using Raman amplification.Another scheme for achieving the power symmetry was by achieving that for thenonlinear effective region instead of the total link through shifting those regions byadding a dispersive element collocated with the OPC. In this thesis, the two methodswill be investigated in improving the symmetry around the mid-link OPC eitherthrough simulation or experimentally. A mathematical analysis for the latter methodwill be performed by estimating the four-wave mixing (FWM) power from the interactionsof three tones propagating through the optical fiber. Then a closed-formformula for the nonlinear noise power from the transmission of Nyquist-shaped wavedivision multiplexed (WDM) signal will be driven. The closed-form will be used inpredicting the performance of a system employing mid-link OPC with lumped amplification.In order to verify the mathematical results, simulations were run and give a good agreement with the theory. The closed-form formula is verified experimentally through the transmission of 4.08Tb/s WDM signal over 600km with mid-link OPC and 75km span is added after the OPC to improve the symmetry. The Raman amplification scheme in improving the power symmetry around the mid-link OPC has been tested with a real-time transceiver which proves the potential application of mid-link OPC in a real commercial system. The dispersion slope effect on the nonlinearity modeling is studied and a figure of merit is developed to predict when the dispersion slope needs to be considered in the models to give accurate results.The different OPC designs based on optical fiber are discussed and a wavelength shift-free OPC design is presented

Advanced digital signal processing for next-generation flexible optical networks

To keep pace with the rapid expansion in data-exchange traffic around the world, optical networks are anticipated to provide flexibility to maximize utilization of the deployed optical fiber resources. On the other hand, digital signal processing (DSP) has been employed in coherent optical systems to enable 100G and beyond optical fiber networks. The goal of the thesis is to develop advanced DSP techniques for the flexible optical networks. With the reconfigured modulation formats in the systems, modulation classification (MC) is essential in the DSP to facilitate the sequential compensation modules which are modulation format-dependent. Based on the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of received signal's amplitude, an MC algorithm for M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM) formats with M = 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 is proposed. Results show that the proposed algorithm achieves accurate classification at optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) of interest and is robust to frequency offset and laser phase noise. Relying on the CDF of received signal's amplitude, a non-data-aided (NDA) OSNR estimation algorithm is developed for coherent optical systems employing multilevel constellations. It outperforms the state-of-the-art NDA algorithm in terms of performance and complexity. Furthermore, a joint OSNR estimation and MC algorithm enabled by support vector machine is designed. Compared to deep neural network-based joint estimation approach, the proposed algorithm achieves better performance with comparable complexity. In addition, a low-complexity two-stage carrier phase estimation algorithm is proposed for coherent optical systems with 16-QAM format. The proposed algorithm exploits the second power operation instead of the conventional fourth power to remove the modulation phase, which is enabled by constellation partition and rotation. Optical back-to-back experiments and numerical simulations are carried out to evaluate the performance of the algorithm. Results show that, compared with the conventional fourth power-based CPE algorithm, the proposed algorithm provides comparable tolerance to the carrier phase noise, with reduced complexity. Lastly, a novel transmission scheme is investigated for the open and disaggregated metro coherent optical networks, which impose the requirements for multiple user connectivities on the limited orthogonal frequency resources. Thus, it is desirable to provide connections simultaneously to various users in a non-orthogonal way. A transmission scheme based on the non-orthogonal sparse code multiple access in a digital subcarrier multiplexing is proposed. Compared to power domain-based counterpart, the proposed scheme supports more than 2 users without user pairing and clustering. The feasibility of the proposed scheme is verified through numerical simulations. Three scenarios with 2, 4, and 6 users over 1, 2, and 4 subcarriers, respectively, are considered. Performance evaluations show that in all scenarios, the proposed scheme attains bit error ratio lower than the forward error correction limits with the transmission ranges of interest in metro applications