Optical Networks for Communications

A special issue of Photonics (ISSN 2304-6732).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 January 2017) | Viewed by 70815

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Integrated Research Center for Photonic Networks Technologies, Photonic Networks National Laboratory – CNIT, Pisa, Italy
Interests: microwave photonics; ultra-fast optical communications; photonic digital processing and nonlinear optics
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Optics will focus on new research results and practical solutions in the field of “Optical Networks for Communications”. As the demand for Internet traffic and bandwidth continue to increase, the optical technology devoted to expanding communication networks is expected to expand to meet new capacities, reach, and networking challenges. Many aspects need to be explored, such as scalability, flexibility, resiliency, quality of service, security, energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, inter-operability, and/or support of other network types.
This Special Issue of Optics covers a large scope of research in optical networking and communications, and solicits contributions in, but not limited to:

    Optical transport networks
    Protection and restoration in optical networks
    Design and performance evaluation of Optical network architectures
    Optical switching, devices and architectures
    Data center networks
    Optical Access Networks, FTTx
    Optical and Mobile Convergence
    Free-space optical communication
    Optical Packet, Burst, and Flow Switching
    Failure monitoring and localization
    Protection and restoration in optical networks
    Elastic optical networks
    Optical network security
    Energy-efficient optical networks and systems
    Support to grid and cloud computing
    Radio over fiber
    Convergence of optical and wireless networks

Dr. Antonella Bogoni
Guest Editor

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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7427 KiB  
Article
Ultra-High-Capacity Optical Packet Switching Networks with Coherent Polarization Division Multiplexing QPSK/16QAM Modulation Formats
by José Manuel Delgado Mendinueta, Satoshi Shinada, Hideaki Furukawa and Naoya Wada
Photonics 2017, 4(2), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics4020027 - 7 Apr 2017
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 7845
Abstract
Optical packet switching (OPS) networks and its subsystems, like the burst-mode receiver, are an essential technology currently used in passive optical networks (PONs). Moreover, OPS may play a fundamental role on future hybrid optical circuit switching (OCS)/OPS networks and datacenter networks. This paper [...] Read more.
Optical packet switching (OPS) networks and its subsystems, like the burst-mode receiver, are an essential technology currently used in passive optical networks (PONs). Moreover, OPS may play a fundamental role on future hybrid optical circuit switching (OCS)/OPS networks and datacenter networks. This paper focuses on two fundamental subsystems of packetized optical networks: the digital coherent burst-mode receiver and the electro-optical switch. We describe and experimentally characterize a novel digital coherent burst-mode receiver that makes uses of the Stokes parametrization to rapidly estimate the state of polarization (SOP) and optimize the equalizer convergence time. This burst-mode receiver is suitable for optical packetized networks that make use of advanced modulation formats such as quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). We study the suitability of (Pb,La)(Zr,La)O3 (PLZT) optical switches for amplitude-variable coherent polarization division multiplexing (PDM) 16QAM modulation format and demonstrate a switching capacity of 10.24 Tb/s/port. We demonstrate a full 2 × 2 OPS node with a control plane capable of solving packet contention by means of packet dropping or buffering with a switching capacity of 10.24 Tb/s/port. Finally, we demonstrate the operation of the 2 × 2 OPS node with a record capacity of 12.8 Tb/s/port plus 100 km of dispersion-compensated fiber transmission. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optical Networks for Communications)
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3741 KiB  
Article
Minimizing Blocking Probability in Elastic Optical Networks by Varying the Bandwidth Granularity Based on Optical Path Fragmentation
by Luae Al-Tarawneh and Sareh Taebi
Photonics 2017, 4(2), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics4020020 - 23 Mar 2017
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5457
Abstract
Elastic optical networks (EONs) based on orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) are considered a promising solution for the next optical network’s generation. These networks make it possible to choose an adequate portion of the available spectrum to satisfy the requested capacity. In this paper, [...] Read more.
Elastic optical networks (EONs) based on orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) are considered a promising solution for the next optical network’s generation. These networks make it possible to choose an adequate portion of the available spectrum to satisfy the requested capacity. In this paper, we consider the impact of spectrum fragmentation along the optical single/multipath routing transmission on the efficiency of the EONs. This involves reducing the fragmentation effects by dynamically updating and controlling the minimum bandwidth allocation granularity (ɡ). We adopt linear and nonlinear dynamic mechanisms, which are denoted as LDAɡ and NLDAɡ, respectively, to choose proper bandwidth granularities that are proportional to the optical link/path bandwidth fragmentation status. In order to avoid either splitting the capacity request over many routing paths, which would increase the management complexity, or encouraging single path transmission, the proposed schemes aim to choose a proper bandwidth allocation granularity (ɡ) for a predefined set of suggested values. Simulation results show that varying the bandwidth granularity based on the optical path fragmentation status can offer an improved performance over fixed granularity with respect to the bandwidth blocking probability, the number of path splitting actions, the throughput, and the differential delay constraint issue in terms of: the network bandwidth utilization and multipath distribution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optical Networks for Communications)
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4684 KiB  
Article
High-Speed, High-Performance DQPSK Optical Links with Reduced Complexity VDFE Equalizers
by Maki Nanou, Christina (Tanya) Politi, Alexandros Stavdas, Kristina Georgoulakis and George-Othon Glentis
Photonics 2017, 4(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics4010013 - 26 Feb 2017
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4247
Abstract
Optical transmission technologies optimized for optical network segments sensitive to power consumption and cost, comprise modulation formats with direct detection technologies. Specifically, non-return to zero differential quaternary phase shift keying (NRZ-DQPSK) in deployed fiber plants, combined with high-performance, low-complexity electronic equalizers to compensate [...] Read more.
Optical transmission technologies optimized for optical network segments sensitive to power consumption and cost, comprise modulation formats with direct detection technologies. Specifically, non-return to zero differential quaternary phase shift keying (NRZ-DQPSK) in deployed fiber plants, combined with high-performance, low-complexity electronic equalizers to compensate residual impairments at the receiver end, can be proved as a viable solution for high-performance, high-capacity optical links. Joint processing of the constructive and the destructive signals at the single-ended DQPSK receiver provides improved performance compared to the balanced configuration, however, at the expense of higher hardware requirements, a fact that may not be neglected especially in the case of high-speed optical links. To overcome this bottleneck, the use of partially joint constructive/destructive DQPSK equalization is investigated in this paper. Symbol-by-symbol equalization is performed by means of Volterra decision feedback-type equalizers, driven by a reduced subset of signals selected from the constructive and the destructive ports of the optical detectors. The proposed approach offers a low-complexity alternative for electronic equalization, without sacrificing much of the performance compared to the fully-deployed counterpart. The efficiency of the proposed equalizers is demonstrated by means of computer simulation in a typical optical transmission scenario. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optical Networks for Communications)
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4095 KiB  
Article
Novel Equalization Techniques for Space Division Multiplexing Based on Stokes Space Update Rule
by Francisco Javier Vaquero Caballero, Fabio Pittalà, Gernot Goeger, Mi Wang, Yabin Ye and Idelfonso Tafur Monroy
Photonics 2017, 4(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics4010012 - 20 Feb 2017
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5167
Abstract
Space division multiplexing (SDM) is a promising technology that aims to overcome the capacity crunch of optical communications. In this paper, we introduce the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) Stokes Space Algorithm (SSA) implemented in frequency domain, a novel equalization technique for space division multiplexing [...] Read more.
Space division multiplexing (SDM) is a promising technology that aims to overcome the capacity crunch of optical communications. In this paper, we introduce the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) Stokes Space Algorithm (SSA) implemented in frequency domain, a novel equalization technique for space division multiplexing (SDM). Although different papers have been published about the SSA and its MIMO implementation, we provide for the first time an analysis of the of the convergence speed and frequency offset of the SSA compared to the least mean square (LMS). SSA algorithm can deal with higher frequency offsets and linewidths than LMS, being suitable for optical communications with higher phase noise. SSA does not need pre-compensation of frequency offset, which can be compensated after equalization without penalties. On the other hand, due to reduced convergence speed, SSA requires longer training sequences than LMS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optical Networks for Communications)
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3335 KiB  
Article
Experimental Demonstration of an Electro-Absorption Modulated Laser for High-Speed Transmissions at 1.55-μm Window Using Digital Signal Processing
by Fotini Karinou, Nebojsa Stojanovic, Cristian Prodaniuc and Qiang Zhang
Photonics 2017, 4(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics4010009 - 8 Feb 2017
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5593
Abstract
We experimentally investigate the transmission performance of 56 Gb/s four-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM-4) over 30-km standard single mode fiber (SMF) using a C-band EML for low-cost metro and short-reach wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) applications. Bit error rate (BER) performance below the HD-FEC [...] Read more.
We experimentally investigate the transmission performance of 56 Gb/s four-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM-4) over 30-km standard single mode fiber (SMF) using a C-band EML for low-cost metro and short-reach wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) applications. Bit error rate (BER) performance below the HD-FEC threshold is achieved for up to 30-km maximum reported distance without employing dispersion compensation fiber (DCF) in the link. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optical Networks for Communications)
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5411 KiB  
Article
Statistical Model and Performance Analysis of a Novel Multilevel Polarization Modulation in Local “Twisted” Fibers
by Pierluigi Perrone, Silvello Betti and Giuseppe Giulio Rutigliano
Photonics 2017, 4(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics4010005 - 26 Jan 2017
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4297
Abstract
Transmission demand continues to grow and higher capacity optical communication systems are required to economically meet this ever-increasing need for communication services. This article expands and deepens the study of a novel optical communication system for high-capacity Local Area Networks (LANs), based on [...] Read more.
Transmission demand continues to grow and higher capacity optical communication systems are required to economically meet this ever-increasing need for communication services. This article expands and deepens the study of a novel optical communication system for high-capacity Local Area Networks (LANs), based on twisted optical fibers. The complete statistical behavior of this system is shown, designed for more efficient use of the fiber single-channel capacity by adopting an unconventional multilevel polarization modulation (called “bands of polarization”). Starting from simulative results, a possible reference mathematical model is proposed. Finally, the system performance is analyzed in the presence of shot-noise (coherent detection) or thermal noise (direct detection). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optical Networks for Communications)
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1821 KiB  
Article
Differential Service in a Bidirectional Radio-over-Fiber System over a Spectral-Amplitude-Coding OCDMA Network
by Chao-Chin Yang, Kai-Sheng Chen, Jen-Fa Huang and Jia-Cyuan Kuo
Photonics 2016, 3(4), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics3040053 - 18 Oct 2016
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4443
Abstract
A new scheme of radio-over-fiber (RoF) network based on spectral-amplitude-coding (SAC) optical code division multiple access (OCDMA) is herein proposed. Differential service is provided by a power control scheme that classifies users into several classes and assigns each of them with a specific [...] Read more.
A new scheme of radio-over-fiber (RoF) network based on spectral-amplitude-coding (SAC) optical code division multiple access (OCDMA) is herein proposed. Differential service is provided by a power control scheme that classifies users into several classes and assigns each of them with a specific power level. Additionally, the wavelength reuse technique is adapted to support bidirectional transmission and reduce base station (BS) cost. Both simulation and numerical results show that significantly differential quality-of-service (QoS) in bit-error rate (BER) is achieved in both downlink and uplink transmissions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optical Networks for Communications)
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7712 KiB  
Article
Analytical Investigations on Carrier Phase Recovery in Dispersion-Unmanaged n-PSK Coherent Optical Communication Systems
by Tianhua Xu, Gunnar Jacobsen, Sergei Popov, Jie Li, Tiegen Liu, Yimo Zhang and Polina Bayvel
Photonics 2016, 3(4), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics3040051 - 24 Sep 2016
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5788
Abstract
Using coherent optical detection and digital signal processing, laser phase noise and equalization enhanced phase noise can be effectively mitigated using the feed-forward and feed-back carrier phase recovery approaches. In this paper, theoretical analyses of feed-back and feed-forward carrier phase recovery methods have [...] Read more.
Using coherent optical detection and digital signal processing, laser phase noise and equalization enhanced phase noise can be effectively mitigated using the feed-forward and feed-back carrier phase recovery approaches. In this paper, theoretical analyses of feed-back and feed-forward carrier phase recovery methods have been carried out in the long-haul high-speed n-level phase shift keying (n-PSK) optical fiber communication systems, involving a one-tap normalized least-mean-square (LMS) algorithm, a block-wise average algorithm, and a Viterbi-Viterbi algorithm. The analytical expressions for evaluating the estimated carrier phase and for predicting the bit-error-rate (BER) performance (such as the BER floors) have been presented and discussed in the n-PSK coherent optical transmission systems by considering both the laser phase noise and the equalization enhanced phase noise. The results indicate that the Viterbi-Viterbi carrier phase recovery algorithm outperforms the one-tap normalized LMS and the block-wise average algorithms for small phase noise variance (or effective phase noise variance), while the one-tap normalized LMS algorithm shows a better performance than the other two algorithms for large phase noise variance (or effective phase noise variance). In addition, the one-tap normalized LMS algorithm is more sensitive to the level of modulation formats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optical Networks for Communications)
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Review

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2594 KiB  
Review
LCoS SLM Study and Its Application in Wavelength Selective Switch
by Mi Wang, Liangjia Zong, Lei Mao, Andres Marquez, Yabin Ye, Han Zhao and Francisco Javier Vaquero Caballero
Photonics 2017, 4(2), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics4020022 - 23 Mar 2017
Cited by 67 | Viewed by 15468
Abstract
The Liquid-Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) spatial light modulator (SLM) has been used in wavelength selective switch (WSS) systems since the 1990s. However, most of the LCoS devices used for WSS systems have a pixel size larger than 6 µm. Although there are some [...] Read more.
The Liquid-Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) spatial light modulator (SLM) has been used in wavelength selective switch (WSS) systems since the 1990s. However, most of the LCoS devices used for WSS systems have a pixel size larger than 6 µm. Although there are some negative physical effects related to smaller pixel sizes, the benefits of more available ports, larger spatial bandwidth, improved resolution, and the compactness of the whole system make the latest generation LCoS microdisplays highly appealing as the core component in WSS systems. In this review work, three specifications of the WSS system including response time, crosstalk and insertion loss, and optimization directions are discussed. With respect to response time, the achievements of liquid crystal material are briefly surveyed. For the study of crosstalk and insertion loss, related physical effects and their relation to the crosstalk or insertion loss are discussed in detail, preliminary experimental study for these physical effects based on a small pixel LCoS SLM device (GAEA device, provided by Holoeye, 3.74 µm pixel pitch, 10 megapixel resolution, telecom) is first performed, which helps with predicting and optimizing the performance of a WSS system with a small pixel size SLM. In the last part, the trend of LCoS devices for future WSS modules is discussed based on the performance of the GAEA device. Tradeoffs between multiple factors are illustrated. In this work, we present the first study, to our knowledge, of the possible application of a small pixel sized SLM as a switching component in a WSS system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optical Networks for Communications)
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5862 KiB  
Review
Future Scenarios for Software-Defined Metro and Access Networks and Software-Defined Photonics
by Tommaso Muciaccia and Vittorio M. N. Passaro
Photonics 2017, 4(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics4010001 - 3 Jan 2017
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 11051
Abstract
In recent years, architectures, devices, and components in telecommunication networks have been challenged by evolutionary and revolutionary factors which are drastically changing the traffic features. Most of these changes imply the need for major re-configurability and programmability not only in data-centers and core [...] Read more.
In recent years, architectures, devices, and components in telecommunication networks have been challenged by evolutionary and revolutionary factors which are drastically changing the traffic features. Most of these changes imply the need for major re-configurability and programmability not only in data-centers and core networks, but also in the metro-access segment. In a wide variety of contexts, this necessity has been addressed by the proposed introduction of the innovative paradigm of software-defined networks (SDNs). Several solutions inspired by the SDN model have been recently proposed also for metro and access networks, where the adoption of a new generation of software-defined reconfigurable integrated photonic devices is highly desirable. In this paper, we review the possible future application scenarios for software-defined metro and access networks and software-defined photonics (SDP), on the base of analytics, statistics, and surveys. This work describes the reasons underpinning the presented radical change of paradigm and summarizes the most significant solutions proposed in literature, with a specific emphasis to physical-layer reconfigurable networks and a focus on both architectures and devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optical Networks for Communications)
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