PERSEUS: Programmable Elastic broadband information processors with controlled high precision frequency and time Reference SystEms Using all optical fiberS

精确的时间和光谱参考在通信和信息处理系统中是必不可少的。短光脉冲的周期性序列，以明确的速率重复，提供了直接的时间参考，广泛用于光传输链路的同步，光子模数转换器（adc）的精确时间采样等。另一方面，该脉冲序列的傅里叶频谱是一个周期光频梳（OFC），也为波长域复用（WDM）和解复用应用、基于光子学的射频信号和任意波形生成（AWG）和处理等提供了精确的频谱参考。目前，周期性超短光脉冲序列可以常规地由锁模激光器产生。然而，未来的弹性宽带通信系统将需要(i)产生高精度和稳定的时间和频谱参考信号，其重复率（和频率间隔）达到太赫兹范围，以及（ii）对这些参考的完全可重构控制。这些能力超出了现有设计的潜力。在该项目中，来自INRS和Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal的研究人员将与MPB通信公司合作，开发实用且具有成本效益的光纤技术，用于产生和控制高质量和高速超短光脉冲（和OFCs），具有完全可编程的按需时间（和频率）周期，满足下一代宽带通信的严格要求。该项目将利用强大的Talbot自成像效应的新概念，用于基本（超低噪声）锁模光纤激光器的腔外时间和频率间隔控制，包括使用突破性的光纤布拉格光栅（FBG）设计。开发的时间/频率参考单元将实现关键信息处理构建模块，例如adc、awg、WDM发射机等，其性能与未来需求相称。所产生的专门知识和对高素质人员的培训将使加拿大在宽带通信技术和系统方面处于领先地位。

Precise temporal and spectral references are essential in communication and information processing systems. A periodic train of short light pulses, repeating at a well-defined rate, provides a direct temporal reference, widely used for synchronization in optical transmission links, precise temporal sampling in photonic analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) etc. On the other hand, the Fourier spectrum of such a pulse train is a periodic optical frequency comb (OFC), which also provides an accurate spectral reference for wavelength-domain multiplexing (WDM) and de-multiplexing applications, photonics-based radio-frequency signal and arbitrary waveform generation (AWG) and processing etc. Nowadays, periodic ultra-short light-pulse trains can be routinely generated from mode-locked lasers. However, future elastic broadband communication systems will require (i) generation of high-precision and stable temporal and spectral reference signals with repetition rates (and frequency spacings) reaching the terahertz range, and (ii) full reconfigurable control of these references . These capabilities are beyond the potential of present designs. In this project, researchers from INRS and Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal will work with MPB Communications towards the development of practical and cost-effective fiber-optics technologies for generation and control of high-quality and high-speed ultra-short optical pulses (and OFCs), with fully programmable, on-demand time (and frequency) periods, fulfilling the stringent requirements in next-generation broadband communications. The project will exploit novel concepts of the powerful Talbot self-imaging effect for out-of-cavity time and frequency spacing control of fundamental (ultra-low-noise) mode-locked fiber lasers, involving the use of ground-breaking fiber Bragg grating (FBG) designs. The developed time/frequency reference units will enable realization of critical information-processing building blocks, e.g., ADCs, AWGs, WDM transmitters etc., with performance commensurate with future demands. The generated know-how and the training of highly-qualified personnel will place Canada in a leading position in broadband communication technologies and systems.