EAGER: Advanced Wireless Communication Concepts Applied to Optical Fibers

我们试图研究先进的信令和处理的概念，已开发的无线通信，多模光纤传输系统的应用。 传统上，可实现的最大数据速率受到光纤的距离带宽积的限制;然而，多输入多输出信令通过将色散的基本限制用于很好理解的计算练习来实现带宽的显著增加。 我们的初步实验结果超过了传统调制方案的24倍以上，具有潜在的数量级的额外性能，特别是在误码率方面。 在该计划中，我们寻求通过以下方式扩展对这一新领域的实验和理论理解：（1）使用现成组件构建低成本、可扩展的测试平台;（2）开发完整的理论框架。大幅提高低成本光链路带宽的潜力对于数据中心来说尤其引人注目，因为它们依赖于机架到机架和板到板级别的多模光纤链路。一种大大增加可实现的带宽并减少每比特能量损失的方法将是真正可行的。 在全国的局域网中也有大量预先存在的多模光纤部署。 由于更高的组件成本，在许多情况下，用单模光纤网络取代这种多模基础设施作为满足未来带宽需求的手段是成本高昂的。 使用我们的方法，这样的系统的带宽可以升级，而不诉诸单模光纤。 此外，未来的光传、光传和光学舰载系统也可以通过这种方法实现;与传统的电信号相比，这种系统具有极大地减小尺寸、重量、功率和对电磁干扰的敏感性的潜力，因此很有吸引力。 我们认为，这项工作非常适合EAGER，因为（1）目标可以迅速实现，成本也较低;（2）它与传统的光纤通信方法有很大的不同，仍然存在许多基本问题，因此实际上不可能通过传统机制获得资金;（3）高度跨学科（例如PI Bank是光子器件和材料工程师，而Co-PI Vishwanath是信息理论家）;（4）在回答了上述问题后，这种方法可以很容易地过渡到更传统的资助机制。 其学术价值在于推进与多模光纤无线通信方法应用相关的理论基础和实验结果。 为此，我们将开发一个多输入多输出多模光纤通信建模框架。 这种分析将融合信息论和统计信号处理与光子学的工具。 在这些学科的交叉点上的工作是有限的，我们的努力将在开发一个全面的框架来表征多模光纤通信的基本限制方面取得重大进展。 我们将利用这一理论来设计新颖的设备，非常适合利用多输入多输出策略的潜在好处。 我们还将使用现成的组件构建一个系统测试平台，以研究性能如何随发射器和接收器的数量而变化，为理论分析提供有价值的反馈。 在这项工作结束时，我们希望展示光纤通信的真正使能能力，以及无数潜在的新应用。 除了我们的研究成果，这将通过期刊出版物和会议讲座传播，我们还寻求在高中，本科和研究生层次的光纤通信系统的概念和影响，他们的基础，以及严格的验证和评估的重要性。 为此，PI将开发演示文稿和演示，通过包括UT奥斯汀？爱迪生讲座系列，夏季纳米科学学院，和UTeach。 我们还将开发新的本科生光通信研究项目，以增强由共同PI Vishwanath指导的NSF-REU网站EURECA的产品。 该计划的目标参与者来自德克萨斯州大学入学的代表性不足的群体。 此外，作为团队的一部分，？对国家的承诺？的学生社区，由PI生成的讲座将被转换成课程模块，并通过得克萨斯大学在线提供？世界演讲厅网站。

We seek to investigate the application of advanced signaling and processing concepts, which have been developed for wireless communication, to multimode fiber-optic transmission systems. Traditionally, the maximum achievable data rate is limited by the distance-bandwidth product of the fiber; however, multiple-input multiple output signaling enables significant increases in bandwidth, by trading the fundamental limitations of dispersion for a computational exercise that that is well-understood. Our preliminary experimental results exceed what is achievable with traditional modulation schemes by over 24-fold, with the potential for orders of magnitude in additional performance, particularly with regard to bit-error-rate. In this program, we seek to expand our experimental and theoretical understanding of this new field by (1) building a low-cost, scalable, testbed using off-the-shelf components and (2) developing a complete theoretical framework.The potential for greatly enhancing the bandwidth of low-cost optical links is particularly compelling for data centers as they rely on multimode fiber links at the rack-to-rack and board-to-board level. A method to greatly increase the achievable bandwidths and reduce the energy-per-bit penalty would be truly enabling. There are also substantial pre-existing deployments of multimode fiber in local area networks across the nation. Due to higher component costs, it is cost-prohibitive in many cases to replace this multimode infrastructure with single-mode fiber networks, as a means to meet future bandwidth demands. Using our approach, the bandwidth of such systems can be upgraded without resorting to single-mode fibers. Additionally, future drive-by-light, fly-by-light, and optical shipboard systems could also be enabled with this approach; such systems are attractive because of the potential to greatly reduce size, weight, power, and sensitivity to electromagnetic interference, as compared with conventional electrical signaling. We believe that this effort is ideally suited to an EAGER because (1) the goals can be achieved rapidly and at moderately low cost; (2) it is a dramatic departure from conventional fiber-optic communication approaches with many fundamental questions remaining, rendering it virtually impossible to obtain funding through conventional mechanisms; (3) the effort is highly interdisciplinary (e.g. PI Bank is a photonic device and materials engineer, while Co-PI Vishwanath is an information theorist); and (4) upon answering the aforementioned questions, this approach can readily transition to more conventional funding mechanisms.Intellectual Merit. The intellectual merit lies in advancing the theoretical underpinnings and experimental findings associated with the application of wireless communication approaches to multimode fibers. To this end, we will develop a framework for modeling multiple-input multiple-output communication over multimode fiber. This analysis will merge tools from information theory and statistical signal processing with those from photonics. There is limited work at the intersection of these disciplines and our efforts will make significant inroads into developing a comprehensive framework for characterizing the fundamental limits of multimode fiber communications. We will leverage this theory to design novel devices that are ideally suited to harnessing the potential benefits of multiple-input multiple-output strategies. We will also construct a system testbed using off-the-shelf-components, to study how performance scales with the number of transmitters and receivers, providing valuable feedback to the theoretical analysis.Broader Impact. At the conclusion of this effort, we expect to demonstrate truly enabling capabilities in optical fiber communications, with myriad potential new applications. In addition to our research findings, which will be disseminated through journal publications and conference talks, we also seek to engage students at the high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels on the concepts and implications of optical fiber communication systems, their underlying foundations, and the importance of rigorous validation and evaluation. To this end, the PIs will develop presentations and demonstrations to engage high school students and teachers across Texas, through mechanisms including UT-Austin?s Edison Lecture Series, Summer Nanoscience Academy, and UTeach. We will also develop new undergraduate research projects on optical communications, to enhance the offerings of the NSF-REU site EURECA, directed by co-PI Vishwanath. This program targets participants from underrepresented groups enrolled at universities across the state of Texas. Additionally, as part of the team?s commitment to the nation?s student community, lectures generated by the PIs will be converted into course modules and made available online through The University of Texas? World Lecture Hall website.