Disruptive Photonic Technologies for the Future Sustainable High-Capacity Metro Network

Abstract

An original technological solution based on the exploitation of long-wavelength VCSELs directly-modulated with multicarrier modulation formats is proposed to implement multi-Tb/s transceivers for the next-generation metropolitan area network. The modular approach conceived for the design and realization of the transmitter guarantees scalability and low cost, low power consumption and reduced footprint.

Multi-Tb/s sustainable MAN scenario enabled by VCSEL-based innovative technological solutions

“…Coherent detection allows not only to demultiplex the SOPs, but also to compensate the chromatic dispersion in case of significant reaches, also hundreds of km long, typical of metro-regional networks. The developed modular S-BVT [22] can adaptively load/manipulate the spectrum with 25-GHz fine granularity, exploiting in a flexible way multicarrier modulation, the whole C-band spectrum and the polarization [23], matching all the requirements of the HL3 layer in terms of dynamic capacity adaptation. The employment of spatial multiplexing by means of bundles of fiber or multi-core fibers can allow to achieve an aggregate capacity of even tens of Tb/s supporting HL1/HL2 nodes demand.…”

Programmable transmission systems using coherent detection enabling multi-Tb/s interfaces for IT-communications convergence in optical networks

“…For example, in the PASSION project it is envisioned to use a VCSEL-based modular S-BVT architecture combined with coherent reception, able to support up to 2-Tb/s per module. 6…”