L. Pierre

Optical regeneration at 40 Gb/s and beyond

As optical amplifiers have opened new perspectives for optical communication systems with ultrahigh capacities and long-haul transmission distances (more than 1 Tb/s over 10 000 km), fundamental limits are being felt. In order to overcome these propagation impairments, another technology revolution is soon required. Promising developments concern in-line all-optical regeneration, which makes it possible to transmit optical data over virtually unlimited distances. In this paper, we recall the basic principles of optical regeneration in optical communication systems and review the current technology alternatives foreseen for future 40-Gb/s transmission system implementation, as investigated in Alcatel Research and Innovation. The alternative offered by optoelectronic regeneration is also discussed, so as to identify and highlight the advantages of the all-optical approach.

Cost-optimized 6.3 Tbit/s-capacity terrestrial link over 17 /spl times/ 100 km using phase-shaped binary transmission in a conventional all-EDFA SMF-based system

We demonstrate the feasibility of 6.3 Tbit/s capacity over 17 /spl times/ 100 km using well-proven all-erbium-doped fiber amplifier technology over a typical ultra-long haul link based on standard fiber. This experiment emphasizes the advantages of our modulation format, namely phase-shaped binary transmission.

40 Gbit/s optical 2R regenerator based on passive saturable absorber for WDM long-haul transmissions

A semiconductor saturable absorber based on ion-irradiated quantum-well vertical cavity is implemented in a 40 Gbit/s dispersion-managed RZ loop, yielding a Q-factor of 13 dB and 11.3 dB at 7600 km distance in single-channel and in WDM environment with five 200 GHz-spaced 40 Gbit/s channels, respectively.

System impairment of double-Rayleigh scattering and dependence on modulation format

The penalty induced by double-Rayleigh scattering is quantified by back-to-back BER measurement with independent generation of Rayleigh-type and ASE noises. We determine the weighting coefficient of the DRS noise contribution of four modulation formats.

Low input power all-optical 3R regenerator based on SOA devices for 42.66 Gbit/s ULH WDM RZ transmissions with 23 dB span loss and all-EDFA amplification

An all-optical 3R regenerator based on cascaded XGM-SOA and SOA-MZI is implemented in an all-EDFA 42.66 Gbit/s SMF/DCF dispersion-managed RZ loop with -11 dBm input power, yielding a BER of 1.6.10/sup -4/ after 30,000 km in WDM environment with four 200 GHz-spaced adjacent channels.

Enhanced PSBT: demonstration of dispersion tolerance and noise resistance over 300 km terrestrial link

We study the dispersion management of enhanced phase-shaped binary transmission (EPSBT) at 10 Gb/s over a typical 300 km-long terrestrial link of SMF, varying the pre- and post-compensating DCF fiber. We compare the chromatic dispersion maps for span powers of 1 dBm and 6 dBm, where nonlinear effects influence the propagation, and show that the tolerance characteristics of EPSBT are maintained even at a span power of +6 dBm, typical for field applications.

Associating optical regeneration and dispersion management for 43Gbit/s long-haul transmissions

We review different techniques for 43Gbit/s Optical Regeneration targeting ultra long-haul transmissions or/and terrestrial networking applications in association with Dispersion Management. Principles of operation and recent system experiments are described.