Field-Trial of a High-Budget, Filterless, $\lambda$ -to-the-User, UDWDM-PON Enabled by an Innovative Class of Low-Cost Coherent Transceivers

Abstract

We experimentally demonstrate an innovative ultradense wavelength division multiplexing (UDWDM) passive optical networks (PON) that implements the full $\lambda \text {-to-the-user}$ concept in a filterless distribution network. Key element of the proposed system is a novel class of coherent transceivers, purposely developed with a nonconventional technical approach. Indeed, they are designed and realized to avoid D/A–A/D converter stages and digital signal processing in favor of simple analog processing so that they match system, cost, and power consumption requirements of the access networks without sacrificing the overall performance. These coherent transceivers target different use case scenarios (residential, business, fixed, wireless) still keeping perfect compatibility and co-existence with legacy infrastructures installed to support gray, time division multiplexed PON systems. Moreover, the availability of coherent transceivers of different cost/performance ratios allows for deployments of different quality service grades. In this paper, we report the successful field trial of the proposed systems in a testbed where 14 UDWDM channels (and one legacy E-PON system) are transmitted simultaneously in a dark-fiber network deployed in the city of Pisa (Italy), delivering real-time and/or test traffic. The trial demonstrated filterless operations (each remote node selects individually its own UDWDM channel on a fine $\text{6.25}\text{-}\text {GHz}$ grid), real-time GbE transmissions (by using either fully analog or light digital signal processing), multirate transmission ( $\text{1.25}\; \text{and}\; \text{10}\,\text {Gb/s}$ ), high optical distribution network loss (18–40 dB) as well as a bidirectional channel monitoring system.