Grant: Strategic Projects - Group

Recent developments in digital signal processing technology have led to a new paradigm in fiber-optic communications. The realization of suitable high-speed digital-to-analog converters, analog-to-digital converters, and digital signal processors has allowed advanced digital signal processing to offer substantial improvements in system performance and functionality. The signal processing can be performed in the transmitter or the receiver. In the transmitter, the synthesis of the appropriate drive signals for an optical modulator permits the generation of modulated optical signals with unprecedented control of the signal amplitude and phase. This allows for the pre-compensation of transmission impairments and non-ideal device properties, and the generation of spectrally efficient modulation formats that require complex multi-level drive signals. In the receiver, coherent detection recovers both the amplitude and phase of the received optical signal, thereby allowing digital signal processing to effectively post-compensate transmission impairments and implement key receiver functions. This project is aimed at working directly with the industry partners Ciena and Santur to devise novel techniques for pre-compensation and post-compensation in fiber-optic communication systems at bit rates of 112 to 448 Gbit/s. Single-carrier systems operating at a bit rate of 112 Gbit/s are currently being developed; 448 Gbit/s is seen as the next-generation bit rate. Given foreseen constraints in integrated circuit technology, significant advances in digital signal processing techniques will be required to achieve 448 Gbit/s on a single optical carrier. Towards this end, a novel approach based on jointly defined pre- and post-compensation will be pursued. The research will benefit telecommunications equipment and component manufacturers as they strive to meet the unrelenting increase in demand for new data and video-centric services from the business, health-care, education, and entertainment sectors.