Mode-selective spatial filtering for increased robustness in a mode group diversity multiplexing link

We propose a very simple optical method to reduce the cross talk among the channels of a mode group diversity multiplexing (MGDM) link. MGDM is an intensity modulation, direct detection, multiple-input, multiple-output technique that creates independent communication channels over a multimode fiber (MMF). The cross talk among the channels is mitigated electronically. However, by properly employing a lens between the output of a graded-index MMF and the detectors, we achieve mode-selective spatial filtering (MSSF) and optically reduce the cross talk. The robustness of the link is then increased when compared with an implementation without MSSF. This allows for a larger number of channels.