Tunable radio frequency photonics filter using a comb-based optical tapped delay line with an optical nonlinear multiplexer.

A radio frequency (RF) photonic filter is experimentally demonstrated using an optical tapped delay line (TDL) based on an optical frequency comb and a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide as multiplexer. The approach is used to implement RF filters with variable bandwidth, shape, and center-frequency.

Experimental demonstration of robustness and accuracy of a DLI-based OSNR monitor under changes in the transmitter and link for different modulation formats and baud rates.

We experimentally studied the performance of a delay-line interferometer-based optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) monitor that is pre-calibrated in optimal conditions for 25-Gbaud pol-muxed quadrature-amplitude-modulation (QAM) signals, when unpredicted changes outside the monitor occurred either in the transmitter or the link.

Reconfigurable 2D optical tapped-delay-line to perform correlation on images.

We demonstrate a reconfigurable 2D optical tapped-delay-line (OTDL) to correlate quadrature-phase-shift-keying (QPSK) 20 Gbaud data. By implementing two independent tapped-delay-lines which performs correlation over rows (inner sum), along with a coherent multiplexing of the correlated rows which performs correlation over columns (outer sum), a 2D correlator is achieved with average error vector magnitude (EVM) of ∼7.8%. Here we also search different 2×2 patterns in a 31×31 image and successfully recognize the target patterns in the image.

Optical Nyquist channel generation using a comb-based tunable optical tapped-delay-line.

We demonstrate optical Nyquist channel generation based on a comb-based optical tapped-delay-line. The frequency lines of an optical frequency comb are used as the taps of the optical tapped-delay-line to perform a finite-impulse response (FIR) filter function. A single optical nonlinear element is utilized to multiplex the taps and form the Nyquist signal. The tunablity of the approach over the baud rate and modulation format is shown. Optical signal-to-noise ratio penalty of 2.8 dB is measured for the 11-tap Nyquist filtering of 32-Gbaud QPSK signal.

Demonstration of tunable optical generation of higher-order modulation formats using nonlinearities and coherent frequency comb.

We demonstrate a tunable, optical generation scheme of higher-order modulation formats including pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). Using this method, 100.4 Gbit/s 16-QAM and 120 Gbit/s 64-QAM were generated from 50.2 and 40 Gbit/s QPSK signals at EVMs of 7.8% and 6.4%, and 60 Gbit/s 8-PAM were generated at an EVM of 8.1% using three 20-Gbit/s BPSK signals. We also demonstrated a successful transmission of 80 Gbit/s 16-QAM through 80 km SMF-28 after compensating with 20 km DCF. All signals were generated, transmitted, and detected with BER below the forward error correction threshold.

Demonstration of all-optical phase noise suppression scheme using optical nonlinearity and conversion/dispersion delay.

We propose and demonstrate an all-optical phase noise reduction scheme that uses optical nonlinear mixing and tunable optical delays to suppress the low-speed phase noise induced by laser linewidth. By utilizing the phase conjugate copy of the original signal and two narrow-linewidth optical pumps, the phase noise induced by laser linewidth can be reduced by a factor of ∼5 for a laser with 500-MHz phase noise bandwidth. The error-vector-magnitude can be improved from ∼30% to ∼14% for the same laser linewidth for 40-Gbit/s quadrature phase shift keying signal.

Demonstration of in-service wavelength division multiplexing optical-signal-to-noise ratio performance monitoring and operating guidelines for coherent data channels with different modulation formats and various baud rates.

We demonstrated a delay-line interferometer (DLI)-based, optical-signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) monitoring scheme of 100 Gbit/s polarization multiplexed quadrature-phase-shift-keying (PM-QPSK) four-channel WDM at 50-GHz International Telecommunication Union (ITU) grid with <0.5 dB error for signals with up to 26 dB of actual OSNR. We also demonstrated data format transparency and baud rate tunability of the OSNR monitor by measuring the OSNR for a 200 Gbit/s PM-16-QAM (25-Gbaud) signal and a 200 Gbit/s PM-QPSK (50-Gbaud) signal. We also explored and studied different monitor parameters, including the shape of the filter spectrum, the bandwidth of the filter, DLI delay, and DLI phase-detuning to determine the design guidelines for a desired level of accuracy for the OSNR monitor in an optical network.

Experimental characterization of phase tuning using fine wavelength offsets in a tunable complex-coefficient optical tapped-delay-line.

We use fine-detuning of pump wavelengths to adjust the tap phases in a complex-coefficient optical tapped-delay-line that utilizes conversion/dispersion-based delays and nonlinear wave mixing. Full 2π phase tuning is demonstrated by detuning the frequency of laser pumps by <20 GHz, which shows close agreement with theory.

Tunable optical correlator using an optical frequency comb and a nonlinear multiplexer.

We experimentally demonstrate a tunable optical correlator to search for multiple patterns among QPSK symbols. We utilize an optical frequency comb to generate the coherent signals and multiplex them coherently in a single PPLN waveguide. Multiple patterns with different lengths are successfully searched within QPSK symbols in a 40-Gb/s signal.

Simultaneous and independent processing of multiple input WDM data signals using a tunable optical tapped delay line.

We demonstrate a tunable optical tapped delay line that can simultaneously and independently operate on multiple wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) data signals. The system utilizes the wavelength-dependent speed of light, together with nonlinear wavelength conversion stages. A phase-preserving scheme enables coherent addition of the weighted taps. We reconfigured the system to perform separate simultaneous correlation (data pattern recognition), equalization, and modulation format conversion on four and eight WDM binary/quadrate phase-shift keyed channels at 26 and 20 Gbaud, respectively. The aggregate throughput of 416 Gb/s is achieved.

Reconfigurable optical quadrature amplitude modulation converter/encoder using a tunable complex coefficient optical tapped delay line.

We experimentally demonstrate a reconfigurable optical converter/encoder for quadrature amplitude modulated (QAM) signals. The system utilizes nonlinear wavelength multicasting, conversion-dispersion delays, and simultaneous nonlinear multiplexing and sampling. We show baud rate tunability (31 and 20 Gbaud) and reconfigurable conversions from lower-order QAM signals to higher-order QAM signals (e.g., 64-QAM).

Demonstration of reconfigurable optical generation of higher-order modulation formats up to 64 QAM using optical nonlinearity.

We demonstrate a reconfigurable optical transmitter of higher-order modulation formats including pulse-amplitude-modulation (PAM) signals and quadrature-amplitude-modulation (QAM) signals. We generated six different modulation formats by multiplexing 10 Gbit/s on-off-keying (OOK) signals (10 Gbaud binary phase-shift keying, 4-PAM, 8-PAM quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK), 16-QAM and 16-star-QAM with error-vector magnitudes (EVMs) of 8.1%, 7.5%, 7.8%, 8.2%, 7.2%, and 6.9%, respectively) and 80 Gbit/s 16-QAM with an EVM of 8.5%, as well as 120 Gbit/s 64-QAM with an EVM of 7.1%, using two or three 40 Gbit/s QPSK signals, respectively. We also successfully transmitted the generated 16-QAM signals through a 100 km transmission line with negligible power penalty.

Coherent correlator and equalizer using a reconfigurable all-optical tapped delay line.

We experimentally demonstrate a reconfigurable optical tapped delay line in conjunction with coherent detection to search multiple patterns among quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) symbols in 20 Gbaud data channel and also to equalize 20 and 31 Gbaud QPSK, 20 Gbaud 8 phase shift keying (PSK), and 16 QAM signals. Multiple patterns are searched successfully on QPSK signals, and correlation peaks are obtained at the matched patterns. QPSK, 8 PSK, and 16 QAM signals are also successfully recovered after 25 km of SMF-28 with average EVMs of 8.3%, 8.9%, and 7.8%. A penalty of <1 dB optical signal to noise penalty is achieved for a 20 Gbaud QPSK signal distorted by up to 400 ps/nm dispersion.

Simultaneous subchannel data updating for multiple channels of 16-quadrature amplitude modulation signals using a single periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide.

Subchannel data updating of high-order modulation format signals using cascaded sum- and difference-frequency generation in a single periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide is demonstrated. One quadrature phase-shift-keying subchannel of a 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signal at 40 Gbit/s is successfully updated, with an optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) penalty of ~2 dB for return-to-zero and ~4 dB for non-return-to-zero at a bit-error rate (BER) of 2×10(-3). Simultaneous processing of four wavelength-multiplexed 16-QAM signals with an average OSNR penalty of 4.5 dB at a BER of 2×10(-3) is also demonstrated.

Demonstration of channel-spacing-tunable demultiplexing of optical orthogonal-frequency-division-multiplexed subcarriers utilizing reconfigurable all-optical discrete Fourier transform.

We experimentally demonstrate a tunable and reconfigurable optical discrete Fourier transform (DFT) to demultiplex orthogonal-frequency-division-multiplexed subcarriers with 2/3/4 subcarriers at 20/40 GHz frequency spacing. An average power penalty of ~5 dB (~3.5) at bit error ratio of 10(-9) is achieved for 4×20 Gbit/s (4×10 Gbit/s) OFDM signal with 20 GHz frequency spacing.

True time delays using conversion/dispersion with flat magnitude response for wideband analog RF signals.

We demonstrate optical true time delays using wavelength conversion coupled with chromatic dispersion. The transfer function of the delay system is investigated, and it is shown that 3-dB bandwidth of the system can be increased over 40 GHz by using offset pumps. A flat magnitude response (<1 dB peak-peak, 0.2 dB RMS deviation) is achieved in the 1-30 GHz band. Calculated matched filter output to LFM pulses shows good performance, maintaining a > 30 dB peak-to-sidelobe-ratio. The effect of pump depletion during wavelength conversion is also investigated.

Experimental performance of a fully tunable complex-coefficient optical FIR filter using wavelength conversion and chromatic dispersion.

We experimentally characterize the performance of a continuously tunable all-optical complex-coefficient finite-impulse-response (FIR) filter that exploits nonlinear signal processing (multiplexing and multicasting) and conversion-dispersion-based optical delays. Various length (three and four) optical FIR filters with different tap amplitudes (from 0 to -9 dB), tap phases (from 0 to 2π), and tap delays (~37.4 ps and 25 ps) are realized, showing reconfiguration and tuning capabilities of this FIR filter. The measured frequency responses show close agreement with the theoretical filter responses.

Preconversion phase modulation of input differential phase-shift-keying signals for wavelength conversion and multicasting applications using phase-modulated pumps.

We demonstrate a method to use phase-modulated pumps for multicasting of return-to-zero differential phase-shift keying (RZ-DPSK) signals. The method uses phase modulation of the input signal along with the co-phase-modulated pumps prior to wavelength conversion. Nine copies of a 50 Gbit/s RZ-DPSK data signal are generated via four-wave mixing with an average conversion efficiency of ∼0 dB. An average receiver sensitivity penalty of ∼1.9 dB is observed at a bit-error rate of 10(-9) with a worst case of 2.3 dB. The effects of synchronization errors and phase-modulation frequencies up to 5 GHz are investigated.

Tunable 503 ns optical delay of 40 Gbit/s RZ-OOK and RZ-DPSK using a wavelength scheme for phase conjugation to reduce residual dispersion and increase delay.

We demonstrate a method for a tunable optical delay element that allows for minimal residual dispersion and double the relative delay. A tunable delay of 503 ns for 40 Gbit/s return-to-zero on-off keying and return-to-zero differential phase-shift keying is shown with a reduction in residual dispersion of approximately 95%.