This PDF file contains the front matter associated with SPIE Proceedings Volume 9773, including the Title Page, Copyright information, Table of Contents, and Conference Committee listing.

We review recent progress of multi-core erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (MC-EDFA). We confirmed by demonstrating a core-pumped MC-EDFA that MC-EDFs have practical amplification characteristics and core-to-core crosstalk. Three types of cladding-pumped MC-EDFAs are also reviewed, one uses free space optics, other uses a fiber bundled fan-in, and the other uses a side-coupled pump combiner for cladding pumping. Finally, we demonstrate a desktop-type prototype of a cladding-pumped MC-EDFA using the pump combiner that consumes power of 33 W and has size of 430×430×99 mm³ (width×depth×height).

We developed a compact InP-based DP-IQ modulator for small-form-factor pluggable coherent transceivers. The modulator achieves 112-Gb/s DP-QPSK modulation with a driving voltage of 6 V_ppd. In addition, it provides 86-Gb/s DP-16 QAM signal generation and 240-km transmission with negligible degradation of BER performance. The halfwavelength voltage of our recent device is 1.9 V, and a high median extinction ratio of over 32 dB was achieved for more than 1,400 child MZ modulators. We have also proposed an athermal InP-based twin IQ modulator that enables us to use a modulator in a TEC-free operation. It contributes to lowering the power consumption of transceivers. Under a constant driving condition, there is little change in 56-Gb/s x 2 QPSK modulation characteristics in the range of 20 to 80°C.

In this paper, we review our recent research progresses on real-time orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transmission based on FPGA. We successfully demonstrated four-channel wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) 256.51Gb/s 16-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (16QAM)-OFDM signal transmission system for short-reach optical amplifier free inter-connection with real-time reception. Four optical carriers are modulated by four different 16QAM-OFDM signals via 10G-class direct modulation lasers (DMLs). We achieved highest capacity real-time reception optical OFDM signal transmission over 2.4-km SMF with the bit-error ratio (BER) under soft-decision forward error correction (SD-FEC) limitation of 2.4×10^-2. In order to achieve higher spectrum efficiency (SE), we demonstrate 4-channel high level QAM-OFDM transmission over 20-km SMF-28 with real-time reception. 58.72-Gb/s 256QAM-OFDM and 56.4-Gb/s 128QAM-OFDM signal transmission within 25-GHz grid is achieved with the BER under 2.4×10^-2 and real-time reception.

To support the ever-increasing demand for high-speed optical communications, Nyquist spectral shaping serves as a promising technique to improve spectral efficiency (SE) by generating near-rectangular spectra with negligible crosstalk and inter-symbol interference in wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) systems. Compared with specially-designed optical methods, DSP-based electrical filters are more flexible as they can generate different filter shapes and modulation formats. However, such transmitter-side pre-filtering approach is sensitive to the limited taps of finite-impulse-response (FIR) filter, for the complexity of the required DSP and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is limited by the cost and power consumption of optical transponder. In this paper, we investigate the performance and complexity of transmitter-side FIR-based DSP with polarization-division-multiplexing (PDM) high-order quadrature-amplitude-modulation (QAM) formats. Our results show that Nyquist 64-QAM, 16-QAM and QPSK WDM signals can be sufficiently generated by digital FIR filters with 57, 37, and 17 taps respectively. Then we explore the effects of the required spectral pre-emphasis, bandwidth and resolution on the performance of Nyquist-WDM systems. To obtain negligible OSNR penalty with a roll-off factor of 0.1, two-channel-interleaved DAC requires a Gaussian electrical filter with the bandwidth of 0.4–0.6 times of the symbol rate for PDM-64QAM, 0.35–0.65 times for PDM-16QAM, and 0.3–0.8 times for PDM-QPSK, with required DAC resolutions as 8, 7, 6 bits correspondingly. As a tradeoff, PDM-64QAM can be a promising candidate for SE improvement in next-generation optical metro networks.

If an optical core network can be handled flexibly, it can be used not only as network infrastructure but also as a temporary broadband resource when customers have to transfer a large volume of data quickly, which will in turn lead to new WAN services. We propose "software-defined optical core networking", which achieves flexible optical network control, meaning it virtualizes optical transport network/wavelength-division multiplexing resources and controls them with resources from other layers, such as Ether/MPLS. We developed a testbed system and verified that users could request broadband resources easily, and our controller could quickly set up an optical channel data unit path for the request.

We have been developing an optical packet and circuit integrated (OPCI) network, which realizes dynamic optical path, high-density packet multiplexing, and flexible wavelength resource allocation. In the OPCI networks, a best-effort service and a QoS-guaranteed service are provided by employing optical packet switching (OPS) and optical circuit switching (OCS) respectively, and users can select these services. Different wavelength resources are assigned for OPS and OCS links, and the amount of their wavelength resources are dynamically changed in accordance with the service usage conditions. To apply OPCI networks into wide-area (core/metro) networks, we have developed an OPCI node with a distributed control mechanism. Moreover, our OPCI node works with a centralized control mechanism as well as a distributed one. It is therefore possible to realize SDN-based OPCI networks, where resource requests and a centralized configuration are carried out. In this paper, we show our SDN architecture for an OPS system that configures mapping tables between IP addresses and optical packet addresses and switching tables according to the requests from multiple users via a web interface. While OpenFlow-based centralized control protocol is coming into widespread use especially for single-administrative, small-area (LAN/data-center) networks. Here, we also show an interworking mechanism between OpenFlow-based networks (OFNs) and the OPCI network for constructing a wide-area network, and a control method of wavelength resource selection to automatically transfer diversified flows from OFNs to the OPCI network.

Digital signal processing (DSP) has been proved to be a successful technology recently in high speed and high spectrum-efficiency optical short-haul and access network, which enables high performances based on digital equalizations and compensations. In this paper, we investigate advanced DSP at the transmitter and receiver side for signal pre-equalization and post-equalization in an optical access network. A novel DSP-based digital and optical pre-equalization scheme has been proposed for bandwidth-limited high speed short-distance communication system, which is based on the feedback of receiver-side adaptive equalizers, such as least-mean-squares (LMS) algorithm and constant or multi-modulus algorithms (CMA, MMA). Based on this scheme, we experimentally demonstrate 400GE on a single optical carrier based on the highest ETDM 120-GBaud PDM-PAM-4 signal, using one external modulator and coherent detection. A line rate of 480-Gb/s is achieved, which enables 20% forward-error correction (FEC) overhead to keep the 400-Gb/s net information rate. The performance after fiber transmission shows large margin for both short range and metro/regional networks. We also extend the advanced DSP for short haul optical access networks by using high order QAMs. We propose and demonstrate a high speed multi-band CAP-WDM-PON system on intensity modulation, direct detection and digital equalizations. A hybrid modified cascaded MMA post-equalization schemes are used to equalize the multi-band CAP-mQAM signals. Using this scheme, we successfully demonstrates 550Gb/s high capacity WDMPON system with 11 WDM channels, 55 sub-bands, and 10-Gb/s per user in the downstream over 40-km SMF.

In state-of-the-art fiber-optics communication systems the fixed forward error correction (FEC) and constellation size are employed. While it is important to closely approach the Shannon limit by using turbo product codes (TPC) and low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes with soft-decision decoding (SDD) algorithm; rate-adaptive techniques, which enable increased information rates over short links and reliable transmission over long links, are likely to become more important with ever-increasing network traffic demands. In this invited paper, we describe a rate adaptive non-binary LDPC coding technique, and demonstrate its flexibility and good performance exhibiting no error floor at BER down to 10^-15 in entire code rate range, by FPGA-based emulation, making it a viable solution in the next-generation high-speed intelligent aggregation networks.

Deployment of digital coherent transmission technologies to metro networks drives the use of higher-order modulation formats such as PDM-16QAM and downsizing of optical transceivers. A narrow-linewidth (<300 kHz) tunable laser with high output power (>+17 dBm) is very attractive for such purposes, not only because it can compensate for the modulation loss increase caused by a high-peak-to-average ratio of the electrical driving signal of higher-order modulation formats, but also because it can be shared between transmitter and receiver saving the foot-print and power dissipation. This paper reviews the Tunable Distributed Amplification — Chirped Sampled Grating — Distributed Reflector (TDA-CSG-DR) laser being developed for metro application.

A high port count wavelength selective switch (HPC-WSS) is a key component when constructing colorless, directionless, and contentionless ROADM because it provides increased flexibility and scalability. We have been developing HPC-WSSs by combining a waveguide-based optical frontend and free-space optics, which we call a spatial and planar optical circuit (SPOC) platform. In this paper, we present an HPC-WSS and a low-loss transponder aggregator based on a SPOC platform, and we also describe the reliability of the frontend, which is a key enabler for the SPOC platform.

We evaluate through computer simulation the performance of Photonic switching OPS/OBS networks of various sizes and configurations, based on a lossless (amplified) photonic switching node experimentally demonstrated previously. The great advantage of photonic switching is transparency to signal rate and format. Thus we propose a basic flexible network, with low-energy consumption and high-efficiency. In simulations traffic load is varied and network parameters such as, average number of hops (ANH), network latency (delay) and packet loss fraction are evaluated. Consistent results for the various configurations are presented, analyzed and discussed; and Interesting conclusions emerge.

We describe a computer generated hologram (CGH) method for application to a multiple input and multiple output (MxN) optical switch based on a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS). The conventional MxN optical switch needs multiple spatial light modulations. However, the CGH method realizes an MxN optical switch simply with a one-time spatial light modulation, resulting in fewer optical elements and better cost efficiency. Moreover, the intrinsic loss of the proposed MxN switch resulting from beam splitting can be reduced by routing multiple signals with a single knob control, which is called a multi-pole multi-throw switch. In this paper, we demonstrate a 5x5 wavelength selective switch (WSS) and a 2-degree ROADM that we realized using the above CGH method. The experimental results indicate that these switches work well with a crosstalk of < -14.9 dB.

We present a novel upstream burst-mode equalization scheme based on optimized SOA cascade for 40 Gb/s TWDMPON. The power equalizer is placed at the OLT which consists of two SOAs, two circulators, an optical NOT gate, and a variable optical attenuator. The first SOA operates in the linear region which acts as a pre-amplifier to let the second SOA operate in the saturation region. The upstream burst signals are equalized through the second SOA via nonlinear amplification. From theoretical analysis, this scheme gives sufficient dynamic range suppression up to 16.7 dB without any dynamic control or signal degradation. In addition, a total power budget extension of 9.3 dB for loud packets and 26 dB for soft packets has been achieved to allow longer transmission distance and increased splitting ratio.

In LTE, a new X2-interface is defined to facilitate direct communication between neighboring eNBs. Since LTE is an all-IP network, the X2-interface traffic currently needs to be routed and transponded in L3 at the edge router by IP addressing. As mobile data increases, it is a promising trend to backhaul mobile services based on PON. In this paper, an effective approach for eNB inter-communication over TWDM-PON is proposed. By associating the IP address of eNB and the MAC address of ONU, the “inter-eNB communication in L3" can be mapped into "inter-ONU communication in L2" and transponded via the protocol of PON at the OLT. Thus, fast and cost-effective eNB inter-communication can be realized based on TWDM-PON within one wavelength channel and between different wavelength channels. The increasing data traffic pressure to the core network can also be alleviated.

An effective solution to the continuous Internet traffic expansion is to offload traffic to lower layers such as the L2 or L1 optical layers. One possible approach is to introduce dynamic optical path operations such as adaptive establishment/tear down according to traffic variation. Path operations cannot be done instantaneously; hence, traffic prediction is essential. Conventional prediction techniques need optimal parameter values to be determined in advance by averaging long-term variations from the past. However, this does not allow adaptation to the ever-changing short-term variations expected to be common in future networks. In this paper, we propose a real-time optical path control method based on a machinelearning technique involving support vector machines (SVMs). A SVM learns the most recent traffic characteristics, and so enables better adaptation to temporal traffic variations than conventional techniques. The difficulty lies in determining how to minimize the time gap between optical path operation and buffer management at the originating points of those paths. The gap makes the required learning data set enormous and the learning process costly. To resolve the problem, we propose the adoption of multiple SVMs running in parallel, trained with non-overlapping subsets of the original data set. The maximum value of the outputs of these SVMs will be the estimated number of necessary paths. Numerical experiments prove that our proposed method outperforms a conventional prediction method, the autoregressive moving average method with optimal parameter values determined by Akaike’s information criterion, and reduces the packet-loss ratio by up to 98%.

We propose a novel optical network architecture that uses waveband virtual links, each of which can carry several optical paths, to directly bridge distant node pairs. Future photonic networks should not only transparently cover extended areas but also expand fiber capacity. However, the traversal of many ROADM nodes impairs the optical signal due to spectrum narrowing. To suppress the degradation, the bandwidth of guard bands needs to be increased, which degrades fiber frequency utilization. Waveband granular switching allows us to apply broader pass-band filtering at ROADMs and to insert sufficient guard bands between wavebands with minimum frequency utilization offset. The scheme resolves the severe spectrum narrowing effect. Moreover, the guard band between optical channels in a waveband can be minimized, which increases the number of paths that can be accommodated per fiber. In the network, wavelength path granular routing is done without utilizing waveband virtual links, and it still suffers from spectrum narrowing. A novel network design algorithm that can bound the spectrum narrowing effect by limiting the number of hops (traversed nodes that need wavelength path level routing) is proposed in this paper. This algorithm dynamically changes the waveband virtual link configuration according to the traffic distribution variation, where optical paths that need many node hops are effectively carried by virtual links. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the number of necessary fibers is reduced by 23% compared with conventional optical path networks.

Semiconductor lasers (SL) have been proven to be a key device in the generation of ultrafast true random bit streams. Their potential to emit chaotic signals under conditions with desirable statistics, establish them as a low cost solution to cover various needs, from large volume key generation to real-time encrypted communications. Usually, only undemanding post-processing is needed to convert the acquired analog timeseries to digital sequences that pass all established tests of randomness. A novel architecture that can generate and exploit these true random sequences is through a fiber network in which the nodes are semiconductor lasers that are coupled and synchronized to central hub laser. In this work we show experimentally that laser nodes in such a star network topology can synchronize with each other through complex broadband signals that are the seed to true random bit sequences (TRBS) generated at several Gb/s. The potential for each node to access real-time generated and synchronized with the rest of the nodes random bit streams, through the fiber optic network, allows to implement an one-time-pad encryption protocol that mixes the synchronized true random bit sequence with real data at Gb/s rates. Forward-error correction methods are used to reduce the errors in the TRBS and the final error rate at the data decoding level. An appropriate selection in the sampling methodology and properties, as well as in the physical properties of the chaotic seed signal through which network locks in synchronization, allows an error free performance.

Link design, while relatively easy in the past, can become quite cumbersome with complex channel plans and equipment configurations. The task of designing optical transport systems and selecting equipment is often performed by an applications or sales engineer using simple tools, such as custom Excel spreadsheets. Eventually, every individual has their own version of the spreadsheet as well as their own methodology for building the network. This approach becomes unmanageable very quickly and leads to mistakes, bending of the engineering rules and installations that do not perform as expected.

We demonstrate a comprehensive planning environment, which offers an efficient approach to unify, control and expedite the design process by controlling libraries of equipment and engineering methodologies, automating the process and providing the analysis tools necessary to predict system performance throughout the system and for all channels.

In addition to the placement of EDFAs and DCEs, performance analysis metrics are provided at every step of the way. Metrics that can be tracked include power, CD and OSNR, SPM, XPM, FWM and SBS. Automated routine steps assist in design aspects such as equalization, padding and gain setting for EDFAs, the placement of ROADMs and transceivers, and creating regeneration points. DWDM networks consisting of a large number of nodes and repeater huts, interconnected in linear, branched, mesh and ring network topologies, can be designed much faster when compared with conventional design methods. Using flexible templates for all major optical components, our technology-agnostic planning approach supports the constant advances in optical communications.

Forward error correction (FEC) is as one of the key technologies enabling the next-generation high-speed fiber optical communications. In this paper, we propose a rate-adaptive scheme using a class of generalized low-density parity-check (GLDPC) codes with a Hamming code as local code. We show that with the proposed unified GLDPC decoder architecture, a variable net coding gains (NCGs) can be achieved with no error floor at BER down to 10^-15, making it a viable solution in the next-generation high-speed fiber optical communications.