Real-time demonstration of 103.125-Gbps fiber–THz–fiber 2 × 2 MIMO transparent transmission at 360–430 GHz based on photonics

Abstract

In this Letter, we experimentally demonstrate the first real-time transparent fiber–THz–fiber 2 × 2 multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission system with a record line rate of 125.516 Gbps at 360–430 GHz based on photonic remote heterodyning, hybrid optoelectronic down-conversion, and commercial digital coherent modules. The 103.125-Gbps net data rate using dual-polarization quadrature phase-shift keying (DP-QPSK) modulation is successfully transmitted over two spans of 20-km standard single-mode fiber (SSMF) and 60-cm wireless distance under 15% soft-decision forward error correction (SD-FEC) for a pre-FEC bit error ratio (BER) threshold of 1.56 × 10−2 (post-FEC BER < 10−15). The optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR) margin and the stability of the transmission system are extensively investigated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time to realize >100-Gbps real-time transparent fiber–THz–fiber link transmission at beyond the 350-GHz band, making it a promising scheme to pave the way towards a practical seamless integration of a fiber–THz–fiber link to the future 6G mobile communication system.

Demonstration of 144-Gbps Photonics-Assisted THz Wireless Transmission at 500 GHz Enabled by Joint DBN Equalizer

“…In our previous work, we have established some real-time photonics-aided THz seamless integration transmission systems [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. In order to verify the effectiveness of our proposed algorithms in this paper, we further perform an experimental demonstration for 144−Gbps photonics-assisted THz wireless transmission at 500 GHz enabled by J-DBN equalization.…”

“…A photonics-assisted transmission system at the THz band integrates the large-capacity, long-distance advantages of fiber-optic transmission and a THz wireless transmission link, and therefore it has excellent potential for future 6G communication. In previous years, several seamless integration systems of THz wireless and optical fiber networks have been demonstrated, enabled by photonics [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. However, the nonlinear impairments induced by photoelectric devices and wireless links will cause severe degradation and significantly restrict the transmission rate and distance.…”

Toward 6G TK$μ$ Extreme Connectivity: Architecture, Key Technologies and Experiments

“…Therefore, in consideration of indoor/outdoor coverage for 6G THz communications, we propose a photonics-assisted Tbps fiber-THz-fiber seamless integration system, which is shown in Fig. 7 [45]. This system supports seamless integration with high-speed optical fiber access networks.…”

“…To further confirm high data-rate transmission capability at THz-band and the associated access technologies in the 6G testbed, we build an RT single-channel transparent fiber-THz-fiber 2 × 2 MIMO seamless transmission system with a record net data rate of 103.125 Gbps at 360 -430 GHz THz-band using the commercial digital coherent optics (DCO) modules [45]. Considering low power consumption and miniaturization, O/T conversion at the transmitter is based on photomixing in a UTC-PD, and T/O conversion at the receiver is realised using hybrid optoelectronic down-conversion.…”

Photonic frequency translation with EML+TIA enabled down-converting receiver

“…Porting such a tool to the optical domain can be highly beneficial for applications such as optically fronthauled radio access, photonics-augmented RF-ADCs [1] or frequency conversions blocks for satellite comms [2]. While frequency up-conversion techniques are rather well researched and have been demonstrated by means of optical carrier suppression [3,4], independent sideband modulation [5], comb sources with selective modulation of their spectral lines [6,7] and heterodyning with freerunning lasers [8], down-conversion techniques enjoy considerably less attention. Although earlier works have demonstrated the concept to be feasible [1,2,9], its complexity is typically exceeding that of up-conversion techniques.…”