Abstract
Researchers at the University of Central Florida have developed a new method of nonlinearity compensation that improves on current technologies by reducing the computational requirement and increasing computational efficiency by at least an order of magnitude. The method of nonlinearity compensation uses a dispersion-managed optical signal that is transmitted over a long-haul optical communication link.
Implemented using digital signal processing, the current technologies for fiber nonlinearity compensation are impractical for high-speed fiber links because of the large computational load. This includes nonlinearity precompensation, digital back propagation, and optical phase conjugation. The new UCF method enables a reduction in fiber nonlinearity and consequently an increase in spectral efficiency and transmission distance in fiber communication systems while reducing the computation needed. Reduced computational load also allows a reduction in ASIC chip size and power consumption by at least an order of magnitude. This technology is ideal for dispersion-managed fiber optic transmission systems, particularly long-distance (for example, transoceanic) systems.
Technical Details
The UCF method of nonlinearity compensation begins with a dispersion-managed optical signal transmitted over an optical communication link and virtually divides the communication link into multiple steps. Next, the method includes performing lumped dispersion compensation on a received optical signal to obtain a waveform. Then digital back propagation is applied to the waveform by performing dispersion compensation and nonlinearity compensation for each of the multiple steps derived from the communication link. The process generates an estimate of the transmitted signal base.
Benefit
Reduced computational load with equivalent compensation, compared to currently available technologiesMarket Application
Dispersion-managed optical communications, particularly transoceanic systems
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