Fiber Optics

Optical fibers in metrology, telecommunications, sensors, manufacturing, and health science have gained massive research interest. The number of applications is increasing at a fast pace. This book aims to present a collection of recent advances in fiber optics, addressing both fundamental and industrial applications. It covers the current progress and latest breakthroughs in emergent applications of fiber optics. The book includes five chapters on recent developments in optical fiber communications and fiber sensors, as well as the design, simulation, and fabrication of novel fiber concepts

Digital Signal Processing Techniques Applied to Radio over Fiber Systems

The dissertation aims to analyze different Radio over Fiber systems for the front-haul applications. Particularly, analog radio over fiber (A-RoF) are simplest and suffer from nonlinearities, therefore, mitigating such nonlinearities through digital predistortion are studied. In particular for the long haul A-RoF links, direct digital predistortion technique (DPDT) is proposed which can be applied to reduce the impairments of A-RoF systems due to the combined effects of frequency chirp of the laser source and chromatic dispersion of the optical channel. Then, indirect learning architecture (ILA) based structures namely memory polynomial (MP), generalized memory polynomial (GMP) and decomposed vector rotation (DVR) models are employed to perform adaptive digital predistortion with low complexities. Distributed feedback (DFB) laser and vertical capacity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) in combination with single mode/multi-mode fibers have been linearized with different quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) formats for single and multichannel cases. Finally, a feedback adaptive DPD compensation is proposed. Then, there is still a possibility to exploit the other realizations of RoF namely digital radio over fiber (D-RoF) system where signal is digitized and transmits the digitized bit streams via digital optical communication links. The proposed solution is robust and immune to nonlinearities up-to 70 km of link length. Lastly, in light of disadvantages coming from A-RoF and D-RoF, it is still possible to take only the advantages from both methods and implement a more recent form knows as Sigma Delta Radio over Fiber (S-DRoF) system. Second Order Sigma Delta Modulator and Multi-stAge-noise-SHaping (MASH) based Sigma Delta Modulator are proposed. The workbench has been evaluated for 20 MHz LTE signal with 256 QAM modulation. Finally, The 6x2 GSa/s sigma delta modulators are realized on FPGA to show a real time demonstration of S-DRoF system. The demonstration shows that S-DRoF is a competitive competitor for 5G sub-6GHz band applications

Communications techniques and equipment: A compilation

This Compilation is devoted to equipment and techniques in the field of communications. It contains three sections. One section is on telemetry, including articles on radar and antennas. The second section describes techniques and equipment for coding and handling data. The third and final section includes descriptions of amplifiers, receivers, and other communications subsystems

Nonlinear impairments and mitigation technologies for the next generation fiber-wireless mobile fronthaul networks

The proliferation of Internet-connected mobile devices and video-intensive services are driving the growth of mobile data traffic in an explosive way. The last mile of access networks, mobile fronthaul (MFH) networks, have become the data rate bottleneck of user experience. The objective of this research are two-fold. For analog MFH, nonlinear interferences among multiple bands of mobile signals in a multi-RAT multi-service radio-over-fiber (RoF)-based MFH system are investigated for the first time. The nonlinear impairments of both single-carrier and multi-carrier signals are investigated, and it is experimentally demonstrated that inter-channel interferences play a more important role in the performance degradation of analog MFH than the nonlinear distortions of each individual signal. A digital predistortion technique was also presented to linearize the analog MFH links. On the other hand, for digital MFH, we experimentally demonstrate a novel digitization interface based on delta-sigma modulation to replace the state-of-the-art common public radio interface (CPRI). Compared with CPRI, it provides improved spectral efficiency and enhanced fronthaul capacity, and can accommodate both 4G-LTE and 5G mobile services.Ph.D

Low-power CMOS digital-pixel Imagers for high-speed uncooled PbSe IR applications

This PhD dissertation describes the research and development of a new low-cost medium wavelength infrared MWIR monolithic imager technology for high-speed uncooled industrial applications. It takes the baton on the latest technological advances in the field of vapour phase deposition (VPD) PbSe-based medium wavelength IR (MWIR) detection accomplished by the industrial partner NIT S.L., adding fundamental knowledge on the investigation of novel VLSI analog and mixed-signal design techniques at circuit and system levels for the development of the readout integrated device attached to the detector. The work supports on the hypothesis that, by the use of the preceding design techniques, current standard inexpensive CMOS technologies fulfill all operational requirements of the VPD PbSe detector in terms of connectivity, reliability, functionality and scalability to integrate the device. The resulting monolithic PbSe-CMOS camera must consume very low power, operate at kHz frequencies, exhibit good uniformity and fit the CMOS read-out active pixels in the compact pitch of the focal plane, all while addressing the particular characteristics of the MWIR detector: high dark-to-signal ratios, large input parasitic capacitance values and remarkable mismatching in PbSe integration. In order to achieve these demands, this thesis proposes null inter-pixel crosstalk vision sensor architectures based on a digital-only focal plane array (FPA) of configurable pixel sensors. Each digital pixel sensor (DPS) cell is equipped with fast communication modules, self-biasing, offset cancellation, analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and fixed pattern noise (FPN) correction. In-pixel power consumption is minimized by the use of comprehensive MOSFET subthreshold operation. The main aim is to potentiate the integration of PbSe-based infra-red (IR)-image sensing technologies so as to widen its use, not only in distinct scenarios, but also at different stages of PbSe-CMOS integration maturity. For this purpose, we posit to investigate a comprehensive set of functional blocks distributed in two parallel approaches: • Frame-based “Smart” MWIR imaging based on new DPS circuit topologies with gain and offset FPN correction capabilities. This research line exploits the detector pitch to offer fully-digital programmability at pixel level and complete functionality with input parasitic capacitance compensation and internal frame memory. • Frame-free “Compact”-pitch MWIR vision based on a novel DPS lossless analog integrator and configurable temporal difference, combined with asynchronous communication protocols inside the focal plane. This strategy is conceived to allow extensive pitch compaction and readout speed increase by the suppression of in-pixel digital filtering, and the use of dynamic bandwidth allocation in each pixel of the FPA. In order make the electrical validation of first prototypes independent of the expensive PbSe deposition processes at wafer level, investigation is extended as well to the development of affordable sensor emulation strategies and integrated test platforms specifically oriented to image read-out integrated circuits. DPS cells, imagers and test chips have been fabricated and characterized in standard 0.15μm 1P6M, 0.35μm 2P4M and 2.5μm 2P1M CMOS technologies, all as part of research projects with industrial partnership. The research has led to the first high-speed uncooled frame-based IR quantum imager monolithically fabricated in a standard VLSI CMOS technology, and has given rise to the Tachyon series [1], a new line of commercial IR cameras used in real-time industrial, environmental and transportation control systems. The frame-free architectures investigated in this work represent a firm step forward to push further pixel pitch and system bandwidth up to the limits imposed by the evolving PbSe detector in future generations of the device.La present tesi doctoral descriu la recerca i el desenvolupament d'una nova tecnologia monolítica d'imatgeria infraroja de longitud d'ona mitja (MWIR), no refrigerada i de baix cost, per a usos industrials d'alta velocitat. El treball pren el relleu dels últims avenços assolits pel soci industrial NIT S.L. en el camp dels detectors MWIR de PbSe depositats en fase vapor (VPD), afegint-hi coneixement fonamental en la investigació de noves tècniques de disseny de circuits VLSI analògics i mixtes pel desenvolupament del dispositiu integrat de lectura unit al detector pixelat. Es parteix de la hipòtesi que, mitjançant l'ús de les esmentades tècniques de disseny, les tecnologies CMOS estàndard satisfan tots els requeriments operacionals del detector VPD PbSe respecte a connectivitat, fiabilitat, funcionalitat i escalabilitat per integrar de forma econòmica el dispositiu. La càmera PbSe-CMOS resultant ha de consumir molt baixa potència, operar a freqüències de kHz, exhibir bona uniformitat, i encabir els píxels actius CMOS de lectura en el pitch compacte del pla focal de la imatge, tot atenent a les particulars característiques del detector: altes relacions de corrent d'obscuritat a senyal, elevats valors de capacitat paràsita a l'entrada i dispersions importants en el procés de fabricació. Amb la finalitat de complir amb els requisits previs, es proposen arquitectures de sensors de visió de molt baix acoblament interpíxel basades en l'ús d'una matriu de pla focal (FPA) de píxels actius exclusivament digitals. Cada píxel sensor digital (DPS) està equipat amb mòduls de comunicació d'alta velocitat, autopolarització, cancel·lació de l'offset, conversió analògica-digital (ADC) i correcció del soroll de patró fixe (FPN). El consum en cada cel·la es minimitza fent un ús exhaustiu del MOSFET operant en subllindar. L'objectiu últim és potenciar la integració de les tecnologies de sensat d'imatge infraroja (IR) basades en PbSe per expandir-ne el seu ús, no només a diferents escenaris, sinó també en diferents estadis de maduresa de la integració PbSe-CMOS. En aquest sentit, es proposa investigar un conjunt complet de blocs funcionals distribuïts en dos enfocs paral·lels: - Dispositius d'imatgeria MWIR "Smart" basats en frames utilitzant noves topologies de circuit DPS amb correcció de l'FPN en guany i offset. Aquesta línia de recerca exprimeix el pitch del detector per oferir una programabilitat completament digital a nivell de píxel i plena funcionalitat amb compensació de la capacitat paràsita d'entrada i memòria interna de fotograma. - Dispositius de visió MWIR "Compact"-pitch "frame-free" en base a un novedós esquema d'integració analògica en el DPS i diferenciació temporal configurable, combinats amb protocols de comunicació asíncrons dins del pla focal. Aquesta estratègia es concep per permetre una alta compactació del pitch i un increment de la velocitat de lectura, mitjançant la supressió del filtrat digital intern i l'assignació dinàmica de l'ample de banda a cada píxel de l'FPA. Per tal d'independitzar la validació elèctrica dels primers prototips respecte a costosos processos de deposició del PbSe sensor a nivell d'oblia, la recerca s'amplia també al desenvolupament de noves estratègies d'emulació del detector d'IR i plataformes de test integrades especialment orientades a circuits integrats de lectura d'imatge. Cel·les DPS, dispositius d'imatge i xips de test s'han fabricat i caracteritzat, respectivament, en tecnologies CMOS estàndard 0.15 micres 1P6M, 0.35 micres 2P4M i 2.5 micres 2P1M, tots dins el marc de projectes de recerca amb socis industrials. Aquest treball ha conduït a la fabricació del primer dispositiu quàntic d'imatgeria IR d'alta velocitat, no refrigerat, basat en frames, i monolíticament fabricat en tecnologia VLSI CMOS estàndard, i ha donat lloc a Tachyon, una nova línia de càmeres IR comercials emprades en sistemes de control industrial, mediambiental i de transport en temps real.Postprint (published version

Coherent Optical OFDM Modem Employing Artificial Neural Networks for Dispersion and Nonlinearity Compensation in a Long-Haul Transmission System

In order to satisfy the ever increasing demand for the bandwidth requirement in broadband services the optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OOFDM) scheme is being considered as a promising technique for future high-capacity optical networks. The aim of this thesis is to investigate, theoretically, the feasibility of implementing the coherent optical OFDM (CO-OOFDM) technique in long haul transmission networks. For CO-OOFDM and Fast-OFDM systems a set of modulation formats dependent analogue to digital converter (ADC) clipping ratio and the quantization bit have been identified, moreover, CO-OOFDM is more resilient to the chromatic dispersion (CD) when compared to the bandwidth efficient Fast-OFDM scheme. For CO-OOFDM systems numerical simulations are undertaken to investigate the effect of the number of sub-carriers, the cyclic prefix (CP), and ADC associated parameters such as the sampling speed, the clipping ratio, and the quantisation bit on the system performance over single mode fibre (SMF) links for data rates up to 80 Gb/s. The use of a large number of sub-carriers is more effective in combating the fibre CD compared to employing a long CP. Moreover, in the presence of fibre non-linearities identifying the optimum number of sub-carriers is a crucial factor in determining the modem performance. For a range of signal data rates up to 40 Gb/s, a set of data rate and transmission distance-dependent optimum ADC parameters are identified in this work. These parameters give rise to a negligible clipping and quantisation noise, moreover, ADC sampling speed can increase the dispersion tolerance while transmitting over SMF links. In addition, simulation results show that the use of adaptive modulation schemes improves the spectrum usage efficiency, thus resulting in higher tolerance to the CD when compared to the case where identical modulation formats are adopted across all sub-carriers. For a given transmission distance utilizing an artificial neural networks (ANN) equalizer improves the system bit error rate (BER) performance by a factor of 50% and 70%, respectively when considering SMF firstly CD and secondly nonlinear effects with CD. Moreover, for a fixed BER of 10-3 utilizing ANN increases the transmission distance by 1.87 times and 2 times, respectively while considering SMF CD and nonlinear effects. The proposed ANN equalizer performs more efficiently in combating SMF non-linearities than the previously published Kerr nonlinearity electrical compensation technique by a factor of 7

Replacing the automatic gain control loop in a mobile, digital TV broadcast receiver by a software based solution

The power level (the amplitude) of an electro-magnetic signal wave suffers from attenuation the greater the distance between the transmitter and the receiver is. The receiver of that signal therefore has components which try to amplify the signal so that it can be processed optimally by a processor. In a mobile or portable environment the signal power level can vary strongly, because the position of the receiver to the transmitter is not fixed. In order to compensate that movement a control loop exists, which dynamically is adapting the front-end to the right level. This work describes a new, software-based way to handle the signal level control loop (formerly automatic gain control) in a digital TV receiver. Starting with a very basic introduction into digital communications, including the description of the traditional front-end architecture, followed by a detailed description of the new method. Finally some conclusions of this new method are made which are giving an idea about how in the future it might be possible to reach better receiving performances using this mechanism

Digital Measurement of Partial Discharge

Various new measurement techniques have been developed for a high voltage phenomenon referred to as partial discharge. Partial discharge is a localized breakdown of the high voltage insulation system which is observed as low level, random emissions. Both electrical and acoustic emissions have been measured in underground power cables, solid cast power transformers and in lumped specimens. Typical problems complicating the measurements are the randomness of the emission, high levels of interference and extreme distortion of the signal by the propagation path. Various signal processing techniques have been adapted to the measurement of partial discharge. The techniques investigated are capable of reducing noise in the measurements and have provided orders of magnitude improvement in sensitivity over ordinary methods. Some of the techniques studied are capable of providing information about the location of the partial discharge site