40 Gb/s wavelength division multiplexing-passive optical network (WDM-PON) for undersea wireless optical communication

Abstract

We demonstrate the design and simulation of a long range four-channel wavelength division multiplexing-passive optical network (WDM-PON) operating at 40 Gb/s (4 × 10 Gb/s) in downstream transmission for undersea wireless optical communication. The proposed model consists of two separate subsections between the optical transmitter and receiver. The first subsection consists of the central office and 50 km long feeder fiber for transmitting the optical signal from a distant base station to the 1 × 4 optical demultiplexer located at the sea shore. The second subsection comprises 500 m distributed fiber from the 1 × 4 optical demultiplexer to the terminal point placed at the bottom of the sea and 15–20 m optical wireless channel inside sea water. Simulation results confirmed successful transmission of optical signals from the 50 km distant optical transmitter to the optical receiver located maximum 15 m inside the sea water with a signal-to-noise ratio of ∼20.96 dB, bit error rate of ∼1.55 × 10−8, and quality factor of ∼5.584. The eye diagram at the receiving end also exemplifies quality downstream data transmission at a rate of 10 Gb/s per channel. In addition, we compare the simulation results of the four-channel 40 Gb/s WDM-PON system with a four-channel WDM-PON system operating at 4 Gb/s (4 × 1 Gb/s). Simulation results confirm maximum reach of 17.5 m inside sea water at a cost of significant reduction in data rate. Furthermore, we analyze the system availability of the proposed WDM-PONs and find convincing results for high-speed secured data transmission under water.