Nonlinear interference noise in space-division multiplexed transmission through optical fibers

We study the nonlinear interference noise (NLIN) generated in SDM systems, and generalize the NLIN model introduced in the context of single-mode fibers to the multi-mode case. The generalized model accounts for the modulation-format dependence of the NLIN, and gives the scaling of the NLIN power with the number of transmitted modes. It also provides the tools for extending the results of the NLIN Wizard to SDM. Unlike in the case of single-mode systems, the effect of MD cannot in general be ignored in the SDM case. We show that inclusion of MD erases the contribution of FWM effects, and significantly suppresses the effect of XPM

Equalization Methods for Out-of-Band Nonlinearity Mitigation in Fiber-Optic Communications

In recent years, it has been established that the adverse effects of nonlinear interference noise (NLIN) can be mitigated using adaptive equalization methods. As such, a wide variety of adaptive equalization methods have been used to treat nonlinearity, in different transmission scenarios. This paper reviews the principles of out-of-band nonlinearity mitigation using adaptive equalization. Statistical properties of NLIN that can be exploited for mitigation are discussed, as well as the cost and benefit of various types of equalizers. In particular we describe the equivalence between the NLIN and time-dependent inter-symbol-interference (ISI) and discuss ways in which the ISI coefficients can be characterized theoretically and experimentally. We further discuss the effectiveness of existing ISI mitigation algorithms, and explain the need for designing customized algorithms that take advantage of the various correlation properties characterizing the ISI coefficients. This paper is intended to be a practical reference for researchers who want to apply equalization algorithms or design new methods for nonlinearity mitigation