Flexible optical networks based on coherent transmission technologies

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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.