Flexible optical networks based on coherent transmission technologies

高级调制格式与用于色散补偿和损伤缓解的高速模数转换和数字信号处理(DSP)技术相结合的使用，预计将给光网络带来重大变化，包括：(1)相干收发机调制解调器，这是一种用于广播和选择网络架构的使能技术；(2)简化的光线路系统，其不需要有源交换、色散补偿和滤波元件；以及(3)增加的系统裕度和可用的频谱，这转化为光网络设计的更好的灵活性。本研究项目的目的是探索使用具有DSP功能的可调收发信机来设计未来灵活且可扩展的光主干和海底网络的好处。从理论和实验的角度，将探索基于无滤波、半无滤波和弹性信道间隔概念的新型网络体系结构，用于核心和海底应用。将开发路由和频谱分配算法以及成本和能源效率高的无滤波光网络设计工具。提出的研究项目的独创性在于无滤波光网络概念本身，由于其主要属性(即成本效益、能量效率和组播能力)，它看起来越来越像是未来大容量光网络的一种非常重要的候选架构。对于加拿大电信业来说，开发全光网络体系结构的商业利益是相当大的。网络设计方法基于增加网络光层的灵活性，同时将其总拥有成本和能源消耗降至最低，显然是未来超大容量网络的制胜策略。我们相信，无源无过滤和半无过滤网络是有希望的，并具有实用的体系结构，可以在成本、能量、可靠性、灵活性、安全性和可扩展性方面响应当前的需求。三年后，该项目将培养出至少2名博士生和8名硕士研究生，并将培养几名本科生。

The use of advanced modulation formats, in combination with high-speed analog-to-digital conversion and digital signal processing (DSP) techniques for dispersion compensation and impairment mitigation, can be expected to bring about significant changes to optical networks, through: (1) coherent transceiver modems, an enabling technology for broadcast-and-select network architectures; (2) simplified optical line systems, which do not require active switching, dispersion compensating, and filtering elements; and (3) increased system margin and usable spectrum, which translate into improved flexibility for optical network design. The objective of this research project is to explore the benefit of using tunable transceivers with DSP capability to design future flexible and scalable optical backbone and submarine networks. Novel network architectures based on filterless, semi-filterless and elastic channel spacing concepts will be explored for core and submarine applications, from both theoretical and experimental viewpoints. Routing and spectrum assignment algorithms as well as cost- and energy- efficient filterless optical network design tools will be developed. The originality of the proposed research project lies in the filterless optical networking concept itself, which is looking increasingly like a very serious candidate architecture for future high capacity optical networks because of its main attributes (i.e. cost effectiveness, energy efficiency, and multicast capability). For the Canadian telecommunication industry, the commercial stakes in the development of an all-optical network architecture are considerable. Network design approaches based on increasing the flexibility of the optical layer of the network while minimizing its total cost of ownership and energy consumption are clearly winning strategies for future very high capacity networks. We believe that the passive filterless and semi-filterless networks hold promise and have the practical architectures that can respond to current needs in terms of cost, energy, reliability, flexibility, security and scalability. After three years, the project will produce at least 2 Ph.D. and 8 Master students and will enable the training of several undergraduate students.