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Asymmetrical bidirectional optical wireless communication system based on a transmissive 1D LC-SLM for NG-PON2.
Optics Letters
|August 16, 2020
Summary
This study introduces an asymmetric bidirectional optical wireless communication system for extending next-generation passive optical networks. The novel approach uses a liquid crystal spatial light modulator and modulated retroreflector, achieving over 2.5 Gbits/s transmission without O/E or E/O conversions.
Area of Science:
- Optical Communications
- Wireless Communication Technologies
- Photonics
Background:
- Next-Generation Passive Optical Network (NG-PON2) standards aim to extend network reach to the Home Area Network (HAN).
- Traditional systems face challenges with power consumption, alignment, wavelength contention, and cost at the terminal user (TU).
- Optical/electrical (O/E) and electrical/optical (E/O) conversions add complexity and power demands in existing communication systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and demonstrate an asymmetric bidirectional optical wireless communication (B-OWC) system for NG-PON2 extension to HAN.
- To eliminate the need for O/E and E/O conversions at the access node (AN) and TU.
- To leverage a liquid crystal spatial light modulator (LC-SLM) and modulated retroreflector (MRR) for enhanced flexibility and reduced TU complexity.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a transmissive 1D LC-SLM at the AN for beam steering and wavelength selection.
- Utilizing a reflective grating element integrated with the LC-SLM for enhanced optical control.
- Employing an MRR at the TU, eliminating the need for a conventional light source and associated power consumption.
- Experimental demonstration of B-OWC using specified NG-PON2 wavelengths for downlink (1590–1603 nm) and uplink (1524–1544 nm).
Main Results:
- Successful experimental demonstration of downlink and uplink data transmissions exceeding 2.5 Gbits/s.
- Achieved quality factors (Q-factors) beyond the forward error correction limit (16.9 dB).
- Bit error rate (BER) of 10^-12 achieved, confirming robust data transmission.
- Validation of wavelength switching capabilities for flexible network operation.
Conclusions:
- The proposed B-OWC system effectively extends NG-PON2 to HAN without O/E and E/O conversions.
- The use of LC-SLM and MRR significantly reduces TU power consumption and alignment issues.
- The system offers high flexibility in beam steering and wavelength selection, meeting NG-PON2 specifications.
