A multilevel multiplexing technique for high speed fiber optic communication systems

Abstract

In order to explore the potential of optical multilevel signaling for high speed optical fiber networks, a novel multilevel multiplexing technique is demonstrated. Three users, each with data rates of 10 Gb/s were successfully multiplexed and transmitted over a single WDM channel, which can offer a possible transmission rate of 30 Gb/s per WDM channel. The performance of the proposed technique is examined, with comparison to 30 Gb/s Time Division Multiplexing (TDM). Based on the simulation results back-to-back receiver sensitivity of -29.2 dBm and -33.5 with OSNR of 22.5 dB and 18.3dB was achieved for the worst and best uses respectively, together with the chromatic dispersion tolerance ranging from 207 ps/nm to 276 ps/nm. A comparison with conventional TDM technique shows a clear advantage of the proposed technique.