Higher-order modulation formats–concepts and enabling devices

Abstract

The chapter gives a general introduction to higher-order modulation (HOM) formats and reviews the current status of concepts of coherent transceivers applied in optical fiber communications. The chapter presents an overview on the major enablers of HOM formats in optical transmission: forward error correction, digital signal processing, data converter, DP-IQ modulator, receiver frontend and application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) technology. Based on the examples of current and future 400 Gbit/s and 1 Tbit/s transceivers the chapter illustrates feasible transmission capacities and transmission reach with HOM formats based on EDFA repeated C-band transmission over dispersion uncompensated standard single mode fiber.