A 640-Gbps, 15.2344-b/s/Hz full-duplex optical fiber/wireless single-channel coherent communication system using IQM-based DP-256-QAM and DSP techniques

A full-duplex optical fiber/wireless single-channel coherent communication system is presented for high-speed data center interconnections. In-phase and quadrature modulator (IQM)-based dual polarization 256 quadrature amplitude modulation (DP-256-QAM) is implemented to achieve a maximum data rate of 640 Gbps with 40 Gbaud symbol rate for both the single-mode fiber (SMF) and free-space optics (FSO) links. Advanced digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms have been implemented at the receiver to compensate for signal impairments during propagation. The system with optical IQM and DSP algorithms can be fabricated in the form of cost-efficient integrated circuits and possess a potential spectral efficiency of 15.2344 b/s/Hz. A maximum transmission distance of 160 km and 4 km is achieved in simulation platform for the SMF and FSO links, respectively. The system performance is evaluated regarding laser linewidth requirements, optical signal-to-noise ratio tolerance, receiver sensitivity and launched optical power. This transceiver system shall be useful in high-speed long-haul communications, and the FSO system provides the same data rate to the remote areas, and last mile connections where laying of an optical fiber is not possible or cost is a major concern.