Novel high-sensitivity coherent transceiver for optical DPSK/DQPSK signals based on heterodyne detection and electrical delay interferometer

We present a novel coherent transceiver for optical differential phase-shift keying/differential quadrature phase-shift keying （DPSK/DQPSK） signals based on heterodyne detection and electrical delay interferometer. A simulation framework is provided to predict a theoretical sensitivity level for the reported scheme. High sensitivity of -45.18 dBm is achieved for 2.5-Gb/s return-to-zero （RZ）-DPSK signal, and high sensitivities of -36.83 dBm （I tributary） and -35.90 dBm （Q tributary） are observed for 2.5-GBaud/s RZ-DQPSK signal in back-to-back configuration. Transmission for both signals over 100 km is also investigated. Experimental results are discussed and analyzed.