Technologies for spatial-division multiplexing: The next frontier in optical communications
Research Project, 2015
– 2018
Optical fiber communication systems constitute the backbone of Internet. In this project, we propose to analyze and demonstrate concepts to reach substantially higher transmission throughput than in todays optical communication systems. This is essential, as the currently used technology approach, using single-mode optical fibers, is expected to be exhausted within the next decade, due to fundamental capacity limits of a single transmission channel. We will leverage our expertise in optical transmission experiments as well as in information theory, coding and digital signal processing to investigate, both theoretically and experimentally, concepts relying on spatial-division multiplexing (SDM). This has emerged as the most viable approach to significantly increase capacity by encoding data in several cores and/or modes of a single fiber. Specifically, we will establish a physical understanding of coupling among modes/cores in optical fibers supporting several modes or cores. This knowledge will serve as a basis in order and design novel modulation formats and coding schemes taking advantage of this new spatial dimension. We will further design and implement a spatial ? frequency superchannel that allows important scaling advantages as well as being compatible with monolithic integration for cost and energy efficiency. We will bring this together in transmission systems experiments using SDM hardware to reach unprecedented transmission performance.
Participants
Peter Andrekson (contact)
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Photonics
Erik Agrell
Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Communication, Antennas and Optical Networks
Arni Alfredsson
Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Communication, Antennas and Optical Networks
Magnus Karlsson
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Photonics
Victor Torres Company
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Photonics
Funding
Swedish Research Council (VR)
Project ID: 2014-6138
Funding Chalmers participation during 2015–2018
Related Areas of Advance and Infrastructure
Information and Communication Technology
Areas of Advance
Sustainable development
Driving Forces