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 /

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

Self-Seeded RSOA-Fiber Cavity Lasers vs. ASE Spectrum-Sliced or Externally Seeded Transmitters—A Comparative Study

Reflective semiconductor optical amplifier fiber cavity lasers (RSOA-FCLs) are appealing, colorless, self-seeded, self-tuning and cost-efficient upstream transmitters. They are of interest for wavelength division multiplexed passive optical networks (WDM-PONs) based links. In this paper, we compare RSOA-FCLs with alternative colorless sources, namely the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) spectrum-sliced and the externally seeded RSOAs. We compare the differences in output power, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), relative intensity noise (RIN), frequency response and transmission characteristics of these three sources. It is shown that an RSOA-FCL offers a higher output power over an ASE spectrum-sliced source with SNR, RIN and frequency response characteristics halfway between an ASE spectrum-sliced and a more expensive externally seeded RSOA. The results show that the RSOA-FCL is a cost-efficient WDM-PON upstream source, borrowing simplicity and cost-efficiency from ASE spectrum slicing with characteristics that are, in many instances, good enough to perform short-haul transmission. To substantiate our statement and to quantitatively compare the potential of the three schemes, we perform data transmission experiments at 5 and 10 Gbit/s

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"

Spectrally efficient and low cost time and wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network systems

The next-generation passive optical network stage 2 (NG-PON2) intends to support stacking 10 Gb/s wavelengths and maintaining the compatibility with the deployed legacy passive optical network (PON) systems. Essentially, Time and Wavelength Division Multiplexed-PON (TWDM-PON) is the best solution for NGPON2 that aims to support a symmetric 40 Gb/s data rate transmission, a split ratio of 1:64 and a distance up to 60 km. Unfortunately, most of the existing low cost and practical TWDM-PON solutions are still incapable to support remote users and inefficient for spectral bandwidth in higher services. Typically, low cost transceivers are avoided as they suffer from significant frequency chirp that seriously impact its transmission performance at the bit rate above 10 Gb/s. Therefore, the objectives of this thesis are to improve the current TWDM-PON power budget in supporting more access services reaching the remote customers to enhance the bandwidth capacity at lower cost and to reduce the complexity implementation problem. This is achieved by overcoming the significant frequency chirp of the low cost transceivers used such as reflective semiconductor optical amplifier (RSOA) and directly modulated lasers (DMLs), which are suitable for high data rate transmission. The RSOA chirp is mitigated using a single bi-pass delay interferometer (DI) at the optical line terminal (OLT) while the DML chirp is managed by ensuring its resulting current is in phase with the bandwidth enhancement factor, , at both optical network unit (ONU) and OLT. Apart from that, DML equipped with dispersion compensation fiber (DCF) technique for power budget improvement is also proposed. Furthermore, low cost schemes for even higher data rate TWDM-PON up to 56 Gb/s is proposed utilizing highly spectral efficient 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM). The results are obtained from physical layer simulation, OptisystemTrademark and MatlabTrademark, where relevant significant parts are verified through theoretical analysis. The simulation results demonstrate a sufficient dispersion compensation with a record of 56.6 dB power bughet for DML-based TWDM-PON transmission system. While results are not absolute due to variations that can occur in practical implementation, analysis demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed methods

A remodulation scheme for wavelength-division multiplexing passive optical network using time-interleaved differential phase shift keying modulation format.

Li, Pulan.Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011.Includes bibliographical references (p. 60-66).Abstracts in English and Chinese.Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1Chapter 1.1 --- Overview of wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network (WDM-PON) and colorless optical network unit (ONU) --- p.1Chapter 1.2 --- Implementation of colorless ONU --- p.4Chapter 1.3 --- Rayleigh backscattering in WDM-PON --- p.6Chapter 1.4 --- Motivation of this thesis --- p.9Chapter 1.5 --- Outline of this thesis --- p.11Chapter Chapter 2 --- Previous works of remodulation for WDM-PON --- p.12Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.12Chapter 2.2 --- Devices utilized by colorless ONU in remodulation schemes --- p.13Chapter 2.2.1 --- Injection-locked Fabry-Perot laser diode at ONU --- p.13Chapter 2.2.2 --- Reflective semiconductor optical amplifier --- p.15Chapter 2.2.3 --- Reflective electro-absorption modulator and semiconductor optical amplifier (REAM-SOA) --- p.17Chapter 2.3 --- Modulation methods in remodulation schemes --- p.18Chapter 2.4 --- Summary --- p.23Chapter Chapter 3 --- A remodulation scheme based on time-interleaved DPSK modulation format --- p.25Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.25Chapter 3.2 --- Operation principle: time-interleaving technology for phase-modulated signal --- p.27Chapter 3.3 --- System architecture --- p.28Chapter 3.4 --- Experimental results and discussion --- p.31Chapter 3.5 --- Effect of timing misalignment on proposed remodulation scheme --- p.33Chapter 3.6 --- Summary --- p.35Chapter Chapter 4 --- Enhanced Tolerance to Rayleigh Backscattering in Remodulation Scheme Using Time-Interleaved DPSK Format --- p.37Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.37Chapter 4.2 --- Studies on Rayleigh backscattering suppression in optical domain --- p.39Chapter 4.2.1 --- RB suppression in carrier-distributed schemes --- p.39Chapter 4.2.2 --- RB suppression in remodulation schemes --- p.40Chapter 4.2 --- Experimental setup and results --- p.42Chapter 4.3 --- Discussion on RB suppression effect of the proposed scheme --- p.46Chapter 4.3.1 --- Theoretical study and simulation results --- p.46Chapter 4.3.2 --- Experimental demonstration of spectral relationship between signals and RB crosstalk --- p.49Chapter 4.4 --- Summary --- p.53Chapter Chapter 5 --- Conclusion and Future Works --- p.55Chapter 5.1 --- Conclusion of this thesis --- p.55Chapter 5.2 --- Future works --- p.57List of Publications --- p.59Bibliography --- p.6

SPECTRUM-SLICED INCOHERENT LIGHT SOURCE FOR OPTICAL ACCESS NETWORKS

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH