400 Gbps/λ PAM-4 data transmission over FSO link by employing space division multiplexing for data center interconnects using LG modes enabled VCSELs

In this paper, a high-speed short-reach free space optical (FSO) transmission system is proposed for data center interconnect (DCI). This system supports the transmission of 400 Gbps over a single wavelength by employing spatial vertical cavity surface emitting lasers. Space division multiplexing along with polarization division multiplexing of the Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) modes (LG(00) and LG(01)) are exploited to achieve higher capacity over FSO channel. Intensity modulation direct detection scheme is used in the proposed system for cost-efficiency. Least mean square equalization is applied to the received data signals to mitigate the FSO channel's impairments. The performance of the proposed system is evaluated by observing the bit error ratio (BER) for weak, moderate and strong turbulences at different weather dynamics. The effects of polarization induced crosstalk and aperture misalignment induced crosstalk on BER degradation are also investigated. FSO channel lengths of 700 m, 500 m and 150 m are achieved for weak, moderate and strong turbulences, respectively. The receiver sensitivities at forward error correction limit of 3.8 x 10(-3 )for each FSO channel length are compared with back to back configuration. A penalty of 2.5 dB is observed for strong turbulence whereas 2 dB and 0.6 dB penalties are obtained for moderate and weak turbulences, respectively. The proposed FSO-DCI could be used to provide high aggregate transmission capacity of 800 Gbps and 1.6 Tbps for future DCI by adding more LG modes or other wavelengths.