Enabling Technologies for Optical Communications and Networking

A special issue of Photonics (ISSN 2304-6732). This special issue belongs to the section "Optical Communication and Network".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 April 2025 | Viewed by 9595

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Computer & Communication Engineering, University of Science & Technology Beijing (USTB), No. 30 Xue Yuan Road, Haidian, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: long-haul coherent optical systems; datacenter interconnections; digital signal processing; optical fiber sensing; optical performance monitoring
The State Key Laboratory of Information Photonics and Optical Communications, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing 100876, China
Interests: coherent optical transmission; passive optical networks; digital signal processing; machine learning; advanced modulation; optical performance monitoring

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Both internet-based applications and industrial production facilities rely on complex optical communication and network infrastructures to meet connectivity requirements. With the development of cloud computing, IOT, 4K/8K video streaming, VR and other high-bandwidth services, optical communications require higher bandwidth and data transfer rates to support massive data streams. Therefore, it is necessary to design the advanced architectures of optical communication systems and networks, efficient signal processing algorithms and reasonable network resource optimization schemes to improve the operation efficiency of the entire network. Meanwhile, faced with complex network architecture, a more effective optical network control and management schemes are needed to realize performance monitoring, intelligent operation, and autonomous alarm analysis. In recent years, high-order modulation formats, constellation shaping, advanced coding/decoding, faster-than-Nyquist, machine-learning-assisted signal damage mitigation, anomaly impairment perception, integrating optical communication with sensing, optical layer security, network architecture optimization, and resource management techniques have been researched and developed to accommodate the exponential growth of traffic  and support resilient, secure, and cost-effective networking.

This Special Issue aims to publish papers on emerging and enabling technologies for huge-capacity optical transmission, high-speed optical access, low-cost optical performance monitoring, and efficient optical networking.

In this Special Issue, both original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Backbone/Core/Access /Indoor /Data center networks;
  • Optical transmission systems and subsystems;
  • Network architectures, control and management of optical networking;
  • Signal processing and impairment mitigation;
  • Artificial intelligence for optical communication and networking;
  • Optical performance monitoring;
  • Integrating optical communication with sensing;
  • Theory of optical communications;
  • Optical layer security;
  • Photonics for RF and free-space optics applications;
  • Quantum technologies, systems, and networks.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Xian Zhou
Prof. Xue Chen
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • optical transmission
  • optical access
  • optical networking
  • signal processing and impairment mitigation
  • artificial intelligence for optical communication and networking

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

9 pages, 4203 KiB  
Communication
A Compact Triplexer Based on InP/InGaAsP-MMI Coupler with Channel-Shaped Core Layer for 50G PON
by Fei Guo, Dan Lu, Hao Song, Yueying Niu, Daibing Zhou and Lingjuan Zhao
Photonics 2024, 11(3), 232; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics11030232 - 4 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1310
Abstract
A novel wavelength triplexer based on Channel-Shaped Multimode Interference (C-MMI) structures on the InP platform is proposed for multi-channel integration compatibility in a 50G passive optical network (PON) system. Performance analysis of the proposed device is carried out by using the 3D Beam [...] Read more.
A novel wavelength triplexer based on Channel-Shaped Multimode Interference (C-MMI) structures on the InP platform is proposed for multi-channel integration compatibility in a 50G passive optical network (PON) system. Performance analysis of the proposed device is carried out by using the 3D Beam Propagation Method (3D-BPM), which shows excellent properties with insertion loss < 0.5 dB and low crosstalk < −14 dB for the 1342 nm in the Original band (1260–1360 nm), 1490 nm in the Short wavelength band (1460–1530 nm), and 1577 nm in the Long wavelength band (1565–1625 nm), also known as the OSL wavelengths band. Furthermore, the passbands of the three downlink channels of 1342 nm, 1490 nm, and 1577 nm, reach 14 nm, 20 nm, and 64 nm, respectively, which is wide enough to meet the 50G PON optical line terminal (OLT) requirement. Additionally, the proposed device is extremely compact with a total length of only 448 μm, making it attractive in the monolithic integrated laser chip and OLT packaged module. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enabling Technologies for Optical Communications and Networking)
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13 pages, 2604 KiB  
Article
A Chromatic Dispersion-Tolerant Frequency Offset Estimation Algorithm Based on Pilot Tone for Digital Subcarrier Multiplexing Systems
by Yuchen Zhang, Xue Chen, Tao Yang, Jialin You, Guiqing Sun, Zhiyuan Ji and Yan Zhao
Photonics 2024, 11(2), 118; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics11020118 - 27 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1152
Abstract
A digital subcarrier multiplexing (DSCM) system has been proposed as a possible solution for large capacity and long-distance coherent optical transmissions due to its high tolerances for chromatic dispersion (CD), equalization-enhanced phase noise (EEPN) and fiber nonlinearity. In a DSCM receiver, for subcarrier-demultiplex [...] Read more.
A digital subcarrier multiplexing (DSCM) system has been proposed as a possible solution for large capacity and long-distance coherent optical transmissions due to its high tolerances for chromatic dispersion (CD), equalization-enhanced phase noise (EEPN) and fiber nonlinearity. In a DSCM receiver, for subcarrier-demultiplex to occur properly, frequency offset estimation (FOE) must be implemented before demultiplexing. It is beneficial to decrease complexity and EEPN by compensating CD on each subcarrier. Therefore, a high CD tolerance is indispensable for the FOE algorithm in a DSCM receiver. However, the mainstream blind FOE algorithms for single-carrier systems, such as the 4th power fast Fourier transform algorithm, could not work for DSCM systems. To deal with this challenge, a pilot tone-based FOE algorithm with high CD tolerance is proposed and verified using simulations and offline experiments. The final estimation accuracy of about 10 MHz of the proposed two-stage FOE is achieved at low computational complexity. Simulations and offline experiments show that DSCM systems with the proposed algorithm have a 0.5~1 dB Q-factor improvement over Nyquist single-carrier systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enabling Technologies for Optical Communications and Networking)
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29 pages, 1289 KiB  
Article
Optical Wireless Fronthaul-Enhanced High-Throughput FC-AE-1553 Space Networks
by Xiang Chang, Xuzhi Li, Jianhua He, Yonghua Ma, Gen Li and Lu Lu
Photonics 2023, 10(12), 1331; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics10121331 - 30 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1305
Abstract
Existing space application networks in space stations are mainly fiber-optic cable-based networks due to their low size, weight, and power (SWaP) values. While fiber networks in space stations offer data transmission at high speeds with minimal signal loss, their major disadvantage is the [...] Read more.
Existing space application networks in space stations are mainly fiber-optic cable-based networks due to their low size, weight, and power (SWaP) values. While fiber networks in space stations offer data transmission at high speeds with minimal signal loss, their major disadvantage is the lack of flexibility and mobility when new and unplanned space scientific equipment is added to the network. To enhance the flexibility of space networks while increasing their throughput, this paper introduces the hybrid space network (HSN), a new space network architecture that incorporates an optical wireless link, to meet the ever-increasing demands for larger bandwidth and higher mobile access capabilities in space scientific experiments. To best utilize the HSN’s system performance, we propose a multi-priority-based network scheduling scheme, which can dynamically adapt to the requirements of mass tasks and select the best transmission procedure. Through simulations, we find that by adding optical wireless communication (OWC) links to the state-of-the-art deterministic FC-AE-1553 space network, the HSN’s bandwidth can be increased by 20 times with an average latency reduction of 87.3%. We believe that the proposed HSN’s architecture may ultimately shape the future of space stations’ wireless connectivity, and in the meantime, innovate many advanced space applications with larger data rates and mobility requirements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enabling Technologies for Optical Communications and Networking)
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8 pages, 2437 KiB  
Communication
Ultra-Broadband and Compact 2 × 2 3-dB Silicon Adiabatic Coupler Based on Supermode-Injected Adjoint Shape Optimization
by Hongliang Chen, Guangchen Su, Xin Fu and Lin Yang
Photonics 2023, 10(12), 1311; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics10121311 - 27 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1680
Abstract
The 2 × 2 3-dB couplers are one of the most widely used and important components in silicon photonics. Here, we propose an ultra-broadband and compact 2 × 2 3-dB adiabatic coupler defined by b-splines and optimized with an efficient supermode-injected adjoint shape [...] Read more.
The 2 × 2 3-dB couplers are one of the most widely used and important components in silicon photonics. Here, we propose an ultra-broadband and compact 2 × 2 3-dB adiabatic coupler defined by b-splines and optimized with an efficient supermode-injected adjoint shape optimization. By employing mode adiabatic evolution and mode coupling at two different wavelength ranges, respectively, we achieve an ultra-broad bandwidth of 530 nm from 1150 nm to1680 nm with a power imbalance below ±0.76 dB in a compact coupling length of 30 µm according to our simulation results. The supermode-injected adjoint shape optimization can also be applied to the design of other photonic devices based on supermode manipulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enabling Technologies for Optical Communications and Networking)
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14 pages, 2977 KiB  
Article
Application-Aware Resource Allocation Based on Benefit–Cost Ratio in Computing Power Network with Heterogeneous Computing Resources
by Yahui Wang, Yajie Li, Jiaxing Guo, Yingbo Fan, Ling Chen, Boxin Zhang, Wei Wang, Yongli Zhao and Jie Zhang
Photonics 2023, 10(11), 1273; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics10111273 - 17 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1327
Abstract
The computing power network (CPN) is expected to realize the efficient provisioning of heterogeneous computing power through the collaboration between cloud computing and edge computing. Heterogeneous computing resources consist of CPU, GPU, and other types of computing power. Different types of applications may [...] Read more.
The computing power network (CPN) is expected to realize the efficient provisioning of heterogeneous computing power through the collaboration between cloud computing and edge computing. Heterogeneous computing resources consist of CPU, GPU, and other types of computing power. Different types of applications may have diverse requirements for heterogeneous computing resources, such as general applications, CPU-intensive applications, and GPU-intensive applications. Service providers are concerned about how to dynamically provide heterogeneous computing resources for different applications in a cost-effective manner, and how to deploy more applications as much as possible with limited resources. In this paper, the concept of the benefit–cost ratio (BCR) is proposed to quantify the usage efficiency of CPU and GPU in CPNs. An application-aware resource allocation (AARA) algorithm is designed for processing different types of applications. With massive simulations, we compare the performance of the AARA algorithm with a benchmark. In terms of blocking probability, resource utilization, and BCR, AARA achieves better performance than the benchmark. The simulation results indicate that more computing tasks can be accommodated by reducing 3.7% blocking probability through BCR-based resource allocation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enabling Technologies for Optical Communications and Networking)
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14 pages, 2793 KiB  
Article
Polarization Controller Based on Variable-Step Greedy Linear Descent for Self-Homodyne Coherent Transmission Systems
by Qianwen Fang, Xian Zhou, Rui Li, Yuyuan Gao, Shiyao Wang, Feiyu Li and Keping Long
Photonics 2023, 10(7), 770; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics10070770 - 4 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1607
Abstract
A self-homodyne coherent (SHC) transmission system that has a good prospect in terms of short-reach interconnections can simplify digital signal processing (DSP) and reduce the power consumption of laser diodes. However, the polarization control of the carrier becomes a pivotal part of these [...] Read more.
A self-homodyne coherent (SHC) transmission system that has a good prospect in terms of short-reach interconnections can simplify digital signal processing (DSP) and reduce the power consumption of laser diodes. However, the polarization control of the carrier becomes a pivotal part of these systems, and different from the traditional polarization control on a certain state of polarization (SOP), it only needs to lock the two polarization lights after the polarization beam splitter (PBS) in a state of equal power. Half-wave plates or Mach–Zehnder interferometers can accomplish the above goals. In order to evaluate the performance of these polarization control structures in the SHC system, we modeled them on the basis of theoretical analysis. Furthermore, a variable-step greedy linear descent (GLD) algorithm is proposed to solve the power fluctuation problem caused by the accelerated change of SOP near the pole of the Poincaré sphere. The simulation results indicate that the variable-step GLD algorithm can effectively improve the tracking ability of the polarization control loop up to approximately 1.5 times of the GLD algorithm and the gradient descent (GD) algorithm. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enabling Technologies for Optical Communications and Networking)
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