Evaluation and Analysis of Different Spectrum Slicing Techniques in Free Space Optical Systems

Abstract

Free space optical communication systems are competent in the context of supporting high data rate, license free operation, absence of Electromagnetic interference (EMI), cost effective operation etc. Wavelength division multiplexed systems (WDM) provide high capacity but at the cost of multiple number of laser sources which inturn increase the overall cost of the system. Spectrum slicing is emerged as an optimal method to reduce the cost of the multi channel systems and also increase the performance. In this work, different spectrum slicing techniques such as Light emitting diodes (LEDs), Arrayed waveguide grating (AWG), Highly nonlinear fiber (HNLF), and Semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) are used and compared in terms of Q factor and BER at 5 Gbps. It is perceived that SOA provide best performance followed by HNLF and LED is least performing.