High capacity coherent transport systems for elastic optical networks

相干光纤传输系统开辟了光纤通信的新模式。高速数模转换器、模数转换器和数字信号处理器的进步使系统性能和功能得到了实质性的改进。这些系统还使弹性光网络的概念成为可能，与传统的密集波分复用网络不同，弹性光网络的信道载波频率和带宽是灵活的，可以动态分配。这允许通过分配特定调制信号所需的带宽来有效地利用可用的光谱。这项研究代表了女王大学、麦吉尔大学和Ciena之间的一项战略活动，该活动针对相干光纤传输系统的关键挑战：提高弹性长途网络的频谱效率和传输距离，提高弹性城域网的灵活性和容量。该研究的具体目标是：(i)开发减轻弹性长途和城域网络中传输障碍影响的技术，以可接受的复杂性水平改善系统性能；（ii）为长途网络开发多维编码技术，提供更精细的比特/符号数量粒度，并抑制由于光纤非线性导致的信号退化的产生。通过为加拿大信息和通信部门培训高技能人员，该研究将开发创新技术，挑战当前的技术限制，但与预期的信号处理能力增长保持一致，从而为加拿大公司创造竞争优势。

Coherent optical fiber transport systems exploit a new paradigm in optical fiber communications. Advances in high-speed digital-to-analog converters, analog-to-digital converters, and digital signal processors have allowed substantial improvements in system performance and functionality. These systems also make possible the concept of elastic optical networks for which, unlike conventional dense wavelength division multiplexed networks, the channel carrier frequencies and bandwidths are flexible and dynamically assignable. This allows for efficient use of the available optical spectrum by assigning only the bandwidth needed by a specific modulated signal. The research represents a strategic activity between Queen's University, McGill University and Ciena that is directed at key challenges in coherent optical fiber transport systems: increasing the spectral efficiency and transmission distance of elastic long-haul networks, and increasing the flexibility and capacity of elastic metropolitan networks. The specific objectives of the research are: (i) to develop techniques for mitigating the effects of transmission impairments in elastic long-haul and metropolitan networks that offer improvements in system performance with acceptable levels of complexity, and (ii) to develop multi-dimensional coding techniques for long-haul networks that provide a finer granularity in the number of bits/symbol and that suppress the generation of signal degradations due to fiber nonlinearities. Through the training of highly skilled personnel for the Canadian information and communications sector, the research will develop innovative techniques that challenge current technological limits but are aligned with anticipated increases in signal processing capability, thereby creating competitive advantages for companies in Canada.