Spectrally efficient next-generation optical access network incorporating a novel CWDM uplink combiner

A novel wavelength division multiplexed subcarrier multiplexed (WDM/SCM) broadband (1-Gb/s per user) optical access network (OAN) architecture incorporating a coarse WDM (CWDM) uplink combiner is proposed. The concept is demonstrated through theoretical and experimental validation of a 10 x1-Gb/s quadurature-phase-shift keying (QPSK) SCM optical network. Low penalty transmission is demonstrated for a proof-of-principle dual channel system with a range of 25 km. In agreement with simulation, experiments show that channel spacings of only 1 GHz are viable for Q factors of more than 18 dB. Simulations indicate that the system will operate with 40 wavelengths, each carrying 10 SCM channels at 1 Gb/s.