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Real-time all-optical performance monitoring using optical bit-shape correlation
Feras Abou-Galala1, Betty Lise Anderson
1Department of Electrical Engineering, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, USA.
Applied Optics
|February 12, 2009
Summary
A novel optical correlator monitors optical link performance in real time by comparing received bit shapes to a standard. This technique rapidly measures signal degradation without lengthy data analysis.
Area of Science:
- Optical communications engineering
- Photonics
- Signal processing
Background:
- Real-time performance monitoring is crucial for optical communication systems.
- Traditional methods like bit stream comparison and eye diagram analysis can be time-consuming and complex.
- There is a need for faster, more direct methods to assess signal quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a new, real-time optical performance monitoring technique for optical links.
- To introduce a novel all-optical correlator for bit shape comparison.
- To provide a rapid and direct measure of signal degradation.
Main Methods:
- An all-optical correlator was designed and implemented.
- The correlator compares the shapes of individual received bits against a standard.
- A simplified White cell-based true-time delay device forms the basis of the correlator.
Main Results:
- The technique successfully monitors optical link performance in real time.
- The correlator's output pulse strength directly quantifies bit degradation during transmission.
- Results are obtained within three bit periods, significantly faster than traditional methods.
Conclusions:
- The demonstrated optical correlator offers a highly efficient real-time performance monitoring solution.
- This method bypasses the need for extensive statistical analysis of long data streams.
- The technique provides immediate insights into signal integrity in optical links.
