High Capacity Innovations Enabling Scalable Optical Transmission Networks

Abstract

We review and introduce key optical innovations that enable scalable and efficient high capacity optical networks, such as advanced modulation formats, flexible grid, optical superchannel, 400GE and emerging 400G ZR/ZR+. We show results from recent industry leading technology trial of real-time 2 × 200G Probabilistic Constellation Shaping (PCS) DP-16QAM superchannel transporting 400GE over a live long haul flexible grid link, achieving long term error free performance with a high spectral efficiency of 5.33 bit/s/Hz and significantly enhanced performance over conventional 200G DP-16QAM. We also present results from successful demonstration of emerging 400G ZR/ZR+ technologies and IP over WDM applications, where different network scenarios and use cases are investigated including single span WDM link of 125 km and multi-span WDM link of 252 km as well as unamplified 40 km fiber link. 400G ZR/ZR+ IP over WDM wavelengths have shown robust performance with good optical margin for practical network applications as well as potential for longer optical reach. In comparison, 400G ZR+ has enhanced performance over 400G ZR with additional margin of ∼3 dB. We have also demonstrated streaming telemetry, a new network monitoring approach, for monitoring of 400G ZR/ZR+ IP over WDM wavelengths giving more performance insights. These industry leading trials and demonstration give network operators critical understandings of the performance, maturity and operational viability of emerging optical technologies which will allow them to scale their networks gracefully to meet continuing bandwidth growth.