Digital Linearization of High Capacity and Spectrally Efficient Direct Detection Optical Transceivers

Metropolitan area networks are experiencing unprecedented traffic growth. The provision of information and entertainment supported by cloud services, broadband video and mobile technologies such as long-term evolution (LTE) and 5G are creating a rapidly increasing demand for bandwidth. Although wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) architectures have been introduced into metro transport networks to provide significant savings over single-channel systems, to cope with the ever-increasing traffic growth, it is urgently required to deploy higher data rates (100 Gb/s and beyond) for each WDM channel. In comparison to dual-polarization digital coherent transceivers, single-polarization and single photodiode-based direct-detection (DD) transceivers may be favourable for metropolitan, inter-data centre and access applications due to their use of a simple and low-cost optical hardware structure. Single sideband (SSB) quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) subcarrier modulation (SCM) is a promising signal format to achieve high information spectral density (ISD). However, due to the nonlinear effect termed signal-signal beat interference (SSBI) caused by the square-law detection, the performance of such SSB SCM DD systems is severely degraded. Therefore, it is essential to develop effective and low-complexity linearization techniques to eliminate the SSBI penalty and improve the performance of such transceivers. Extensive studies on SSB SCM DD transceivers employing a number of novel digital linearization techniques to support high capacity (≥ 100 Gb/s per channel) and spectrally-efficient (net ISD > 2 b/s/Hz) WDM transmission covering metropolitan reach scenarios (up to 240 km) are described in detail in this thesis. Digital modulation formats that can be used in DD links and the corresponding transceiver configurations are firstly reviewed, from which the SSB SCM signalling format is identified as the most promising format to achieve high data rates and ISDs. Following this, technical details of the digital linearization approaches (iterative SSBI cancellation, single-stage linearization filter and simplified non-iterative SSBI cancellation, two-stage linearization filter, Kramers-Kronig scheme) considered in the thesis are presented. Their compensation performance in a dispersion pre-compensated (Tx-EDC) 112 Gb/s per channel 35 GHz-spaced WDM SSB 16-QAM Nyquist-SCM DD system transmitting over up to 240 km standard single-mode fibre (SSMF) is assessed. Net ISDs of up to 3.18 b/s/Hz are achieved. Moreover, we also show that, with the use of effective digital linearization techniques, further simplification of the DD transceivers can be realized by moving electronic dispersion compensation from the transmitter to the receiver without sacrificing performance. The optical ISD limit of SSB SCM DD system finally explored through experiments with higher-order modulation formats combined with effective digital linearization techniques. 168 Gb/s per channel WDM 64-QAM signals were successfully transmitted over 80 km, achieving a record net optical ISD of 4.54 b/s/Hz. Finally, areas for further research are identified

Spectral Properties of Phase Noises and the Impact on the Performance of Optical Interconnects

The non-ending growth of data traffic resulting from the continuing emergence of Internet applications with high data-rate demands sets huge capacity requirements on optical interconnects and transport networks. This requires the adoption of optical communication technologies that can make the best possible use of the available bandwidths of electronic and electro-optic components to enable data transmission with high spectral efficiency (SE). Therefore, advanced modulation formats are required to be used in conjunction with energy-efficient and cost-effective transceiver schemes, especially for medium- and short-reach applications. Important challenges facing these goals are the stringent requirements on the characteristics of optical components comprising these systems, especially laser sources. Laser phase noise is one of the most important performance-limiting factors in systems with high spectral efficiency. In this research work, we study the effects of the spectral characteristics of laser phase noise on the characterization of lasers and their impact on the performance of digital coherent and self-coherent optical communication schemes. The results of this study show that the commonly-used metric to estimate the impact of laser phase noise on the performance, laser linewidth, is not reliable for all types of lasers. Instead, we propose a Lorentzian-equivalent linewidth as a general characterization parameter for laser phase noise to assess phase noise-related system performance. Practical aspects of determining the proposed parameter are also studied and its accuracy is validated by both numerical and experimental demonstrations. Furthermore, we study the phase noises in quantum-dot mode-locked lasers (QD-MLLs) and assess the feasibility of employing these devices in coherent applications at relatively low symbol rates with high SE. A novel multi-heterodyne scheme for characterizing the phase noise of laser frequency comb sources is also proposed and validated by experimental results with the QD-MLL. This proposed scheme is capable of measuring the differential phase noise between multiple spectral lines instantaneously by a single measurement. Moreover, we also propose an energy-efficient and cost-effective transmission scheme based on direct detection of field-modulated optical signals with advanced modulation formats, allowing for higher SE compared to the current pulse-amplitude modulation schemes. The proposed system combines the Kramers-Kronig self-coherent receiver technique, with the use of QD-MLLs, to transmit multi-channel optical signals using a single diode laser source without the use of the additional RF or optical components required by traditional techniques. Semi-numerical simulations based on experimentally captured waveforms from practical lasers show that the proposed system can be used even for metro scale applications. Finally, we study the properties of phase and intensity noise changes in unmodulated optical signals passing through saturated semiconductor optical amplifiers for intensity noise reduction. We report, for the first time, on the effect of phase noise enhancement that cannot be assessed or observed by traditional linewidth measurements. We demonstrate the impact of this phase noise enhancement on coherent transmission performance by both semi-numerical simulations and experimental validation

Advanced Digital Signal Processing Techniques for High-Speed Optical Links

L'abstract è presente nell'allegato / the abstract is in the attachmen

A survey on acoustic positioning systems for location-based services

Positioning systems have become increasingly popular in the last decade for location-based services, such as navigation, and asset tracking and management. As opposed to outdoor positioning, where the global navigation satellite system became the standard technology, there is no consensus yet for indoor environments despite the availability of different technologies, such as radio frequency, magnetic field, visual light communications, or acoustics. Within these options, acoustics emerged as a promising alternative to obtain high-accuracy low-cost systems. Nevertheless, acoustic signals have to face very demanding propagation conditions, particularly in terms of multipath and Doppler effect. Therefore, even if many acoustic positioning systems have been proposed in the last decades, it remains an active and challenging topic. This article surveys the developed prototypes and commercial systems that have been presented since they first appeared around the 1980s to 2022. We classify these systems into different groups depending on the observable that they use to calculate the user position, such as the time-of-flight, the received signal strength, or the acoustic spectrum. Furthermore, we summarize the main properties of these systems in terms of accuracy, coverage area, and update rate, among others. Finally, we evaluate the limitations of these groups based on the link budget approach, which gives an overview of the system's coverage from parameters such as source and noise level, detection threshold, attenuation, and processing gain.Agencia Estatal de InvestigaciónResearch Council of Norwa

Computational Imaging for Phase Retrieval and Biomedical Applications

In conventional imaging, optimizing hardware is prioritized to enhance image quality directly. Digital signal processing is viewed as supplementary. Computational imaging intentionally distorts images through modulation schemes in illumination or sensing. Then its reconstruction algorithms extract desired object information from raw data afterwards. Co-designing hardware and algorithms reduces demands on hardware and achieves the same or even better image quality. Algorithm design is at the heart of computational imaging, with model-based inverse problem or data-driven deep learning methods as approaches. This thesis presents research work from both perspectives, with a primary focus on the phase retrieval issue in computational microscopy and the application of deep learning techniques to address biomedical imaging challenges. The first half of the thesis begins with Fourier ptychography, which was employed to overcome chromatic aberration problems in multispectral imaging. Then, we proposed a novel computational coherent imaging modality based on Kramers-Kronig relations, aiming to replace Fourier ptychography as a non-iterative method. While this approach showed promise, it lacks certain essential characteristics of the original Fourier ptychography. To address this limitation, we introduced two additional algorithms to form a whole package scheme. Through comprehensive evaluation, we demonstrated that the combined scheme outperforms Fourier ptychography in achieving high-resolution, large field-of-view, aberration-free coherent imaging. The second half of the thesis shifts focus to deep-learning-based methods. In one project, we optimized the scanning strategy and image processing pipeline of an epifluorescence microscope to address focus issues. Additionally, we leveraged deep-learning-based object detection models to automate cell analysis tasks. In another project, we predicted the polarity status of mouse embryos from bright field images using adapted deep learning models. These findings highlight the capability of computational imaging to automate labor-intensive processes, and even outperform humans in challenging tasks.</p

Terahertz Communications and Sensing for 6G and Beyond: A Comprehensive View

The next-generation wireless technologies, commonly referred to as the sixth generation (6G), are envisioned to support extreme communications capacity and in particular disruption in the network sensing capabilities. The terahertz (THz) band is one potential enabler for those due to the enormous unused frequency bands and the high spatial resolution enabled by both short wavelengths and bandwidths. Different from earlier surveys, this paper presents a comprehensive treatment and technology survey on THz communications and sensing in terms of the advantages, applications, propagation characterization, channel modeling, measurement campaigns, antennas, transceiver devices, beamforming, networking, the integration of communications and sensing, and experimental testbeds. Starting from the motivation and use cases, we survey the development and historical perspective of THz communications and sensing with the anticipated 6G requirements. We explore the radio propagation, channel modeling, and measurements for THz band. The transceiver requirements, architectures, technological challenges, and approaches together with means to compensate for the high propagation losses by appropriate antenna and beamforming solutions. We survey also several system technologies required by or beneficial for THz systems. The synergistic design of sensing and communications is explored with depth. Practical trials, demonstrations, and experiments are also summarized. The paper gives a holistic view of the current state of the art and highlights the issues and challenges that are open for further research towards 6G.Comment: 55 pages, 10 figures, 8 tables, submitted to IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorial

Uncertainties in the Estimation of the Shear-Wave Velocity and the Small-Strain Damping Ratio from Surface Wave Analysis

L'abstract è presente nell'allegato / the abstract is in the attachmen

Hybrid Si/III-V Lasers for Next-generation Coherent Optical Communication

The most important application of semiconductor lasers is, without doubt, optical communication, the backbone of the information age. In the past few decades, incoherent optical communication with conventional semiconductor lasers, the III-V distributed feedback (DFB) lasers, has successfully fulfilled the global demand for the data rate. However, in order to support the rapidly growing Internet traffic of the 21st century, the transition from incoherent to coherent optical communication is inevitable, requiring new types of lasers, as the conventional III-V DFB lasers lack the phase coherence needed to serve as the light sources in coherent optical communication. The existent alternatives with high phase coherence are external cavity lasers (ECLs) and fiber lasers, whose high price and bulky size effectively thwart the upgrade of the current communication networks. This is the main motivation for us to develop high-coherence semiconductor lasers. To achieve the goal, we shall rethink and redesign semiconductor lasers. Advanced modern fabrication technology helps us to turn bold ideas into reality. Not only do we build semiconductor lasers on hybrid platforms, but also engineer elaborately the optical mode to enhance the lasers’ phase coherence. The newly developed semiconductor lasers, hybrid Si/III-V lasers, are the core of the entire thesis. Their design principles, fabrication process, properties and performance in the coherent optical communication system will be presented and discussed. The experimental results show the Si/III-V lasers' superiority to their conventional counterparts. Aside from possessing high phase coherence, the Si/III-V lasers have great potential to be the light sources on the integrated photonic platforms. The fundamental obstacle thwarting photonic integration is optical feedback, to which the conventional semiconductor lasers are very sensitive. Without the protection provided by optical isolators, which unfortunately cannot be fabricated on chip, the performance of the conventional III-V DFB lasers could get significantly degraded by optical feedback. The Si/III-V lasers, with their built-in high-Q resonators, are very robust against optical feedback and can function properly in the isolator-free coherent optical communication systems. Thus, the cost of future optical networks can be further reduced by monolithically integrating passive photonic devices such as modulators and demodulators with the Si/III-V lasers. Finally, all the studies centered on laser coherence trigger us to think deeply about the underlying relation between different means of characterizing laser coherence. A rigorous mathematical relation, the Central Relation, has been derived here, which not only unveils the fundamental relation between laser lineshape and frequency noise power spectral density (PSD) but also provides new methods of frequency noise controlling like optical filtering.</p