10 Spatial mode transmission using low differential mode delay 6-LP fiber using all-fiber photonic lanterns.

To unlock the cost benefits of space division multiplexing transmission systems, higher spatial multiplicity is required. Here, we investigate a potential route to increasing the number of spatial mode channels within a single core few-mode fiber. Key for longer transmission distances and low computational complexity is the fabrication of fibers with low differential mode group delays.

Advanced coding techniques for few mode transmission systems.

We experimentally verify the advantage of employing advanced coding schemes such as space-time coding and 4 dimensional modulation formats to enhance the transmission performance of a 3-mode transmission system. The performance gain of space-time block codes for extending the optical signal-to-noise ratio tolerance in multiple-input multiple-output optical coherent spatial division multiplexing transmission systems with respect to single-mode transmission performance are evaluated. By exploiting the spatial diversity that few-mode-fibers offer, with respect to single mode fiber back-to-back performance, significant OSNR gains of 3.

Compact spatial multiplexers for mode division multiplexing.

Spatial multiplexer (SMUX) for mode division multiplexing (MDM) has evolved from mode-selective excitation, multiple-spot and photonic-lantern based solutions in order to minimize both mode-dependent loss (MDL) and coupler insertion loss (CIL). This paper discusses the implementation of all the three solutions by compact components in a small footprint. Moreover, the compact SMUX can be manufactured in mass production and packaged to assure high reliability.

Time domain multiplexed spatial division multiplexing receiver.

A novel time domain multiplexed (TDM) spatial division multiplexing (SDM) receiver which allows for the reception of >1 dual polarization mode with a single coherent receiver, and corresponding 4-port oscilloscope, is experimentally demonstrated. Received by two coherent receivers and respective 4-port oscilloscopes, a 3 mode transmission of 28GBaud QPSK, 8, 16, and 32QAM over 41.7km of few-mode fiber demonstrates the performance of the TDM-SDM receiver with respect to back-to-back.

MIMO equalization with adaptive step size for few-mode fiber transmission systems.

Optical multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission systems generally employ minimum mean squared error time or frequency domain equalizers. Using an experimental 3-mode dual polarization coherent transmission setup, we show that the convergence time of the MMSE time domain equalizer (TDE) and frequency domain equalizer (FDE) can be reduced by approximately 50% and 30%, respectively. The criterion used to estimate the system convergence time is the time it takes for the MIMO equalizer to reach an average output error which is within a margin of 5% of the average output error after 50,000 symbols.