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Transmission of Multiple Signals through an Optical Fiber Using Wavefront Shaping
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Bidirectional wavelength-division multiplexing transmission over installed fibre using a simplified optical coherent
M S Erkılınç1, D Lavery2, K Shi2
1Optical Networks Group, Dept. of Electronic and Electrical Eng., UCL, London, WC1E 7JE, UK. m.erkilinc@ee.ucl.ac.uk.
Nature Communications
|October 21, 2017
Summary
A simplified coherent receiver boosts broadband capacity in optical access networks. This technology supports more users and longer distances, paving the way for multi-gigabit connections.
Area of Science:
- Telecommunications Engineering
- Optical Communications
- Network Infrastructure
Background:
- Growing bandwidth demand necessitates advanced optical fibres in access networks.
- Current signaling schemes limit end-user bandwidth and future scalability.
- Coherent communication systems offer efficiency but require cost-effective simplification for access networks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a simplified coherent receiver for optical access networks.
- To overcome limitations of current signaling schemes in meeting future broadband demands.
- To assess the economic viability and performance of coherent technology in access networks.
Main Methods:
- Development and testing of a simplified coherent receiver design.
- Evaluation of receiver performance against polarization fluctuations in an installed fibre network.
- Assessment of the receiver's ability to support high-order modulation formats and high sensitivities.
Main Results:
- The simplified coherent receiver shows robust performance against polarization fluctuations.
- It enables high-order modulation formats and achieves high receiver sensitivities.
- Achieved a four-fold increase in supported subscribers and doubled transmission distance compared to current standards.
Conclusions:
- Digital coherent technology is feasible for transforming access networks.
- The proposed receiver enables ubiquitous new services with multi-gigabit/user broadband connections.
- This advancement addresses future broadband demands and enhances network capabilities.
