All-optical microwave notch filter with flat passband based on semiconductor optical amplifier

An all-optical filter structure for interference mitigation of microwave signals is proposed and demonstrated. The structure is based on a recirculating delay line loop (RDLL) and a fiber Bragg grating. The RDLL is comprised of a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) followed by a tunable narrowband optical filter and an optical variable delay line. Negative tap is generated using wavelength conversion based on the cross-gain modulation of amplified spontaneous emission spectrum of the SOA. A negative band-pass filter and a broadband all-pass filter are synthesized to achieve a narrow notch filter with flat passband which can excise interference with minimal impact on the wanted signal over a wide microwave range. Experimental results show the notch rejection ratio of 30 dB, good shape factor and tunability.     

Generation of linearized optical single sideband signal for broadband radio over fiber systems

We propose a new scheme to generate broadband linearized optical single-sideband （OSSB） signal for radio over fiber systems. By using an unbalanced dual parallel Mach-zehnder modulator （DPMZM） followed by optical filtering, a linearized OSSB signal is obtained. With coherent detection, radio frequency （RF） signal can be recovered with simultaneously suppressed second-order distortion and third-order intermodulation. This scheme can be used to realize broadband systems with wide dynamic range.     

Optical Vector Network Analyzer with an Improved Dynamic Range Based on a Polarization Multiplexing Electro-Optic Modulator

We present a new method to achieve an optical vector network analyzer(OVNA) based on a polarization multiplexing electro-optic modulator(PM-EOM) without an optical bandpass filter. Optical single sideband(OSSB)modulated signals with a tunable optical carrier-sideband ratio(OCSR) are obtained at the output of the PMEOM. The OCSR can be flexibly tuned by controlling bias voltages of the PM-EOM. The dynamic range of the OVNA is expanded by taking the improvement of the OCSR into account. The transmission response of an optical device under test(ODUT) is measured based on one-to-one mapping from optical domain to electrical domain. By optimizing the OCSR of the OSSB modulated signals, the dynamic range of the OVNA can be effectively improved with 3.7 dB. An analytical model is derived to describe the transfer function of the ODUT.The magnitude and phase responses of a fiber Bragg grating are characterized with a large dynamic range.     

Demultiplexing of OTDM-DPSK signals based on a single semiconductor optical amplifier and optical filtering

We propose and demonstrate the use of a single semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and optical filtering to time demultiplex tributaries from an optical time division multiplexing-differential phase shift keying (OTDM-DPSK) signal. The scheme takes advantage of the fact that phase variations added to the target channel by cross-phase modulation from the control signal are effectively subtracted in the differential demodulation scheme employed for DPSK signals. Demultiplexing from 80 to 40 Gbit/s is demonstrated with moderate power penalty using an SOA with recovery time twice as long as the bit period at 80 Gbit/s. Large dynamic ranges for the input power and SOA current are experimentally demonstrated. The scheme is expected to be scalable toward higher bit rates.     

Boost up of four wave mixing signal in semiconductor optical amplifier for 40 Gb/s optical frequency conversion

The 40 Gb/s optical frequency converter for non-return to zero differential phase shift keying (NRZ-DPSK) signal by using four wave mixing in semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) have achieved sucessfully. The optimized signal-to-pump ratio for NRZ-DPSK by using optimized SOA structure with enhanced FWM effect is also evaluated. The optimum signal-to-pump ratio is 12 dB and 10 dB with Q factor penalty of 0.685 dB and 0.663 dB. The dependence of four wave mixing efficiency and converted signal power on signal input power is studied and it is evaluated that four wave mixing efficiency decreases with increase in the input power. The impact of pump power, signal-to-pump ratio, and SOA parameters with Q factor penalty for 40 Gb/s has been illustrated. It has shown that converted signal power increases up to the saturation power of semiconductor optical amplifier, then decreases. It is observed that for the optimum pump power, OSNR of converted signal varies little with signal input power.     

Method of implementing frequency encoded multiplexer and demultiplexer systems using nonlinear semiconductor optical amplifiers

Multiplexing and demultiplexing are the essential parts of any communication network. In case of optical multiplexing and demultiplexing the coding of the data as well as the coding of control signals are most important issues. Many encoding/decoding mechanisms have already been developed in optical communication technology. Recently frequency encoding technique has drawn some special interest to the scientific communities. The advantage of frequency encoding technique over any other techniques is that as the frequency is fundamental character of any signal so it remains unaltered in reflection, refraction, absorption, etc. during transmission of the signal and therefore the system will execute the operation with reliability. On the other hand, the switching speed of semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA) is sufficiently high with property of best on/off contrast ratio. In our present communication we propose a method of implementing a ‘4-to-1’ multiplexer (MUX) and a ‘1-to-4’ demultiplexer (DEMUX) exploiting the switching character of nonlinear SOA with the use of frequency encoded control signals. To implement the ‘4-to-1’ MUX and ‘1-to-4’ DEMUX system, the frequency selection by multiquantum well (MQW)-grating filter-based SOA has been used for frequency routing purpose. At the same time, the polarization rotation character of SOA has also been exploited to get the desired purpose. Here the fast switching action of SOA with reliable frequency encoded control input signals, it is possible to achieve a faithful MUX/DEMUX service at tera-Hz operational speed.     

基于双平行马赫曾德调制器的动态可调光载波边带比光单边带调制：理论分析与实验研究

理论分析并实验研究了一种基于双平行马赫曾德调制器(DP-MZM)具有动态光载波边带比(OCSR)调谐能力的光单边带(OSSB) 调制实现方案, 方案利用DP-MZM内部集成的三个独立的调制单元, 分别实现OSSB调制、光载波移相和光信号干涉, 最终, 仅需改变调制器的一个偏置点, 就实现了OCSR的动态调谐, 实验得到了小信号调制(调制系数m=0.2)下, OCSR的可调范围-20.8–23.5 dB. 并分析了OCSR与射频功率之间的对应关系, 通过本方案调谐至最佳的OCSR可提高模拟光链路接收灵敏度. 关键词： 光纤通信 微波光子 光载波边带比 光单边带调制     

Label swapping and packet transmission of DPSK-labeled PPM signal in optical label switching

A label swapping scheme of an optical labeled signal with differential phase shift keying(DPSK) for label at 2.5 Gb/s and pulse position modulation(PPM) for payload at 40 Gb/s is demonstrated by simulation.Power penalties of ～1.8 and ～0.8 dB are achieved for both the payload and label over 80-km single mode fiber(SMF) transmission.This labeling scheme allows the use of four-wave mixing(FWM) in semiconductor optical amplifier(SOA) to perform label erasure,with advantages of transparence for bit rate,high processing rate,simple architecture,and low cost.Label swapping is demonstrated with appropriate penalties of-3.5 and 0.8 dB for PPM payload and new DPSK label,respectively.To further prove the effectiveness of the proposed scheme,label swapping in the case of using 10-Gb/s DPSK label is also investigated with the power penalties of 6 and 2 dB for PPM payload and new DPSK label.     

Modeling of semiconductor optical amplifier RIN and phase noise for optical PSK systems

Phase modulation schemes are attracting much interest for use in ultra-fast optical communication systems because they are much less sensitive to fibre nonlinearities compared to conventional intensity modulation formats. Semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) can be used to amplify and process phase modulated signals, but with a consequent addition of nonlinear phase noise (NLPN). Existing SOA NLPN models are simplistic. In this paper we show that a more accurate model can be used, which results in simple expressions for SOA nonlinear noise, in particular when used to amplify differential phase shift keyed modulated data. The model is used to calculate the optical signal to noise ratio introduced by a power booster SOA and the first inline amplifier of a 40 Gb/s NRZ-DQPSK single channel link.

     

All-optical clock recovery of 20 Gbit/s NRZ-DPSK signals using polarization-maintaining fiber loop mirror filter and semiconductor optical amplifier fiber ring laser

All-optical clock recovery (CR) from 20 Gbit/s nonreturn-to-zero differential phase-shift-keying (NRZ-DPSK) signals are demonstrated experimentally by using a polarization-maintaining fiber loop mirror filter (PMF-LMF) and a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) fiber ring laser. Only by adjusting polarization controller (PC), NRZ-DPSK signals were conveniently and fast converted to pseudo return-to-zero (PRZ) signal via PMF-LMF. Then the PRZ signals are injected into the SOA fiber laser for CR. The recovered clock signals is with the extinction ratio (ER) of 10 dB and the root-mean-square (RMS) timing jitter of 750 fs in 2³¹ − 1 long pseudorandom binary sequence (PRBS) NRZ-DPSK signals measurement. Moreover, the broad wavelength tunability of recovered clock stemmed from the use of SOAs as modulator and the gain medium are shown too.     

Design of ultrafast all-optical PolSK DMUX based on semiconductor optical amplifiers

A novel ultrahigh-speed all-optical demultiplexer (DMUX) with polarization-shift-keying (PolSK) modulation input signals is proposed. This design is based on four-wave mixing (FWM) in a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). For analyzing each amplifier, we use finite-difference method (FDM) based on solution of the traveling wave coupled equations. Using numerical simulation, the all-optical DMUX is theoretically realized at 40 Gb/s. We also study the relation between optical confinement factor and thickness of active layer of the SOA section successfully, and investigate the increasing effect of confinement factor on the DMUX optical output power. With this work, the confinement factor is increased from 0.3 to 0.48, and as a result, the output power approximately twice of its initial value is achieved. Moreover, the effects of polarization dependence of SOA on the output performance of all-optical DMUX for PolSK signal are theoretically investigated in detail.     

All-optical NRZ-OOK-to-RZ-OOK format conversions with tunable duty cycles using nonlinear polarization rotation of a semiconductor optical amplifier

We experimentally demonstrate an all-optical 10 Gb/s format conversion from non-return-to-zero (NRZ) on-off-keying (OOK) to return-to-zero (RZ)-OOK with tunable duty cycle in the whole C-band using nonlinear polarization rotation (NPR) arising in an semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). The experimental results show that, by tuning the polarizer at the SOA output, an RZ signal with tunable duty cycle from 33% to 66% could be obtained with an extinction ratio(ER) over 10 dB. In addition, we show that the NRZ-to-RZ conversion with duty cycle of 33-66% can be obtained with less than 1 dB power penalty at the bit error ratio (BER) of 10⁻⁹. The device can facilitate the cross-connection between optical transmission networks employing different modulation formats.     

Cross-gain modulation in closely spaced energy states quantum dash semiconductor optical amplifiers

A detailed small-signal analysis of cross-gain modulation is performed for closely spaced energy state quantum dash (QDsh) semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). The analysis takes into account the carrier transition in all electron and hole states, the gain dispersion of the active layer, the effect of the energy detuning between the probe and pump signals and the effect of doping on the characteristics of cross-gain wavelength conversion. Our analysis reveals that broadband conversion efficiency can be obtained in QDsh SOA when the energy of the pump signal is at − 20 meV below the ground state. Also we find that large 3 dB bandwidth can be achieved when the energy of the pump and the probe signals is at + 30 meV. Our analysis shows that doping the dashes with P-type concentration can enhance the efficiency and the intrinsic 3 dB bandwidth of cross-gain wavelength conversion.     

High gain S-band semiconductors optical amplifier with double-pass configuration

In this paper we propose and demonstrate a double-pass configuration of a compact high gain short wavelength (S-) band amplifier based on a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) operating from 1480 to 1520 nm. The proposed system provides gain value of 31.07 dB at a signal power level of −40 dBm taken at 1500 nm. The measure gain profile of the double-pass configuration over different power levels and at different signal wavelengths outperforms that of the single-pass configuration. The noise figure of both configurations averages out to 10 dB. This system provides a good alternative as a high-gain and compact amplifier in the S-band region.     

集成双波导半导体光放大器光开关实现波长转换的理论研究

建立了基于集成双波导半导体光放大器的光开关(ITG-SOA-Switch)的理论分析模型.与半导体光放大器(SOA)的特性相比较表明，由于ITG-SOA-Switch合并了多种物理效应，故其静态增益饱和曲线在饱和功率点附近具有大幅度陡峭下降的独特性质.理论分析和10 Gbit/s波长转换模拟结果显示，恰当地选择输入抽运光的功率范围，ITG-SOA-Switch波长转换器输出转换光的消光比特性较之输入抽运光会有显著的改善. 关键词： 波长转换 半导体光放大器 集成双波导半导体光放大器 光开关     

Hybrid flat gain C-band optical amplifier with Zr-based erbium-doped fiber and semiconductor optical amplifier

An efficient gain-flattened C-band optical amplifier is demonstrated using a hybrid configuration with a Zirconia-based Erbium-doped fibre (Zr-EDF) and a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). The amplifier utilizes a two-stage structure with a midway isolator to improve flat gain characteristic and reduce noise figure. At input signal power of −30 dBm, a flat gain of 28 dB is obtained from wavelength region of 1530 to 1560 nm with gain variation of less than 4 dB. The noise figure is maintained below 11 dB at the flat-gain region. This amplifier has the potential to be used in the high channel count dense wavelength division multiplexing system due to its simplicity and compact design.     

Multi-wavelength fiber laser based on nonlinear polarization rotation in semiconductor optical amplifier and photonic crystal fiber

A nonlinear polarisation rotation (NPR) based multi-wavelength laser source is demonstrated using a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and photonic crystal fiber (PCF). The SOA acts as not only the gain medium but also the phase retarder for multi-wavelength oscillation in conjunction with an isolator. The incorporation of PCF improves the NPR effect and thus assists in the multiwavelength generation. The wavelength spacing reduces from 4.82 to 2.76 nm as the PCF length increases from 50 to 100 m. With a 100 m long PCF, the proposed laser produces at least 42 lasing wavelengths with optical signal to noise ratio of more than 10 dB.     

A method of developing frequency encoded multi-bit optical data comparator using semiconductor optical amplifier

Optical data comparator is the part and parcel of arithmetic and logical unit of any optical data processor and it is working as a building block in a larger optical circuit, as an optical switch in all optical header processing and optical packet switching based all optical telecommunications system. In this article the author proposes a method of developing an all optical single bit comparator unit and subsequently extending the proposal to develop a n-bit comparator exploiting the nonlinear rotation of the state of polarization of the probe beam in semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). Here the dataset to be compared are taken in frequency encoded/decoded form throughout the communication. The major advantages of frequency encoding over all other conventional techniques are that as the frequency of any signal is fundamental one so it can preserve its identity throughout the communication of optical signal and minimizes the probability of bit error problem. For frequency routing purpose optical add/drop multiplexer (ADM) is used which not only route the pump beams properly but also to amplify the pump beams efficiently. Switching speed of ‘MZI-SOA switch’ as well as SOA based switches are very fast with good on–off contrast ratio and as a result it is possible to obtain very fast action of optical data comparator.     

A gain-clamped-semiconductor-optical-amplifier combined with a distributed Raman-fiber-amplifier: a good candidate as an inline amplifier for WDM networks

A gain-clamped semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) is used as an inline amplifier in combination with a distributed Raman fiber amplifier. The combined amplifier has 20 dB gain and a noise figure below 2.7 dB. The optical signal to noise ratios after five spans of 20 dB loss, equivalent to 5 × 80 km, are over 25.2 dB for eight-channel transmissions. In addition, the potentially compact amplifier shows negligible transients under dynamic add-drops.     

Power penalty in multitone radio-over-fibre system employing direct and external modulation with optical amplifiers

This paper presents a multitone RoF system employing a central station and a remote antenna station to transmit modulated microwave or mm-wave signals. Two configurations of the system employing direct and external modulation are presented. First, at the central station, the modulating signal is directly and externally modulated at 1549.5 and 1550.5 nm, respectively, and the combined signal is then transmitted using wireless mode. In the second configuration, the combined signal is transmitted over 20 km to the remote antenna station using optical fibre connectivity. At the remote antenna station, both channel wavelengths are separated and amplified with an EDFA and SOA and are detected. The demonstration results show that there exists a small power penalty between the direct and the external modulation. But a large power penalty is reported depending upon the choice of optical amplifier viz. EDFA or SOA. Better performance is recorded in later case. The results also show that power is being distributed among the operating frequency and sidebands adjacent to it after transmission over a fibre link.