High speed optical communication and signal processing

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Due to emerging 5G/6G networks, the required internet data rate has increased rapidly and optical communications industry has faced with a challenge to fulfill the exponentially growing internet speed demands. Optical fiber networks form the backbone of the modern internet and worldwide communication networks.  Annually, data traffic using optical networks is increasing by ~26%.  As the demand for cloud computing and video services grows, the capacity of optical networks must increase. Successful mitigation of the linear effects using the digital equalizers, data transmission rates in fiber optic communication systems have increased from ~Gb/s to  ~Tb/s over thousands of kilometers. Now the fundamental impediments to enhancements in data rates and reach that will be required to satisfy the future demands are those arising due to fiber nonlinear effects. In this proposal, digital and optical equalizers will be developed to mitigate these nonlinear effects.  The optical domain equalizers are expected to provide more benefits than the digital domain equalizers. To improve the quality of service (QoS), we will upgrade the fiber optic networks using cognitive dynamic systems (CDS). The CDS is inspired by brain and is proposed as an alternative to artificial intelligence (AI) and sometimes is referred as enhanced AI. In the past, CDS has successfully been applied to cognitive radio and cognitive radar. In a fiber optic network, CDS would perform actions such as spectrum management, hardware and computational resources management, bit error rate (BER) control and automatic rerouting if a fiber optic cable breaks. Also, the proposed CDS works efficiently in the nonlinear environment providing a better estimate of the received symbols.  In northern/remote regions of Canada, people do not have access to high speed internet due to lack of fiber optic networks. One possible solution is to employ optical wireless communication (OWC) links between satellites and ground. Conventional OWC systems use a direct detection receiver in which the received photo-current is proportional to optical power and the optical phase is lost. In this proposal, we will investigate the possibility of employing Kramers-Kronig receivers in which the optical phase can be extracted from the photo-current using Hilbert transform. Various Kramer-Kronig transceiver architectures for OWC systems will be explored and their performance/cost will be compared with coherent receivers. As suggested by some of the applicant's previous/existing interactions with industrial partners, Canadian companies in the fiber optic and optical wireless communications could benefit from the techniques developed in this program. Furthermore, the students trained in the program will develop highly transferable skills that will be of interest not only to companies that are active in these fields, but other high technology companies, too.