Abstract
Digital coherent optical systems promoted profound changes in optical communication networks, simplifying their operation and increasing their spectral efficiency. This chapter offers a historical perspective on the evolution of optical communication systems, from the invention of optical fibers, passing through four technological generations, and reaching fifth-generation digital coherent optical systems. We also discuss the candidate technologies for the sixth generation of optical systems, especially those based on spatial division multiplexing (SDM). Finally, this chapter also discusses the insertion of coherent technologies in today’s flexible optical networks with wavelength routing. We introduce wavelength selective switches and review the most relevant architectures of reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers.KeywordsDigital coherent optical systemsWavelength division multiplexingCoherent detectionDigital signal processingWavelength routingWavelength selective switchesTranspondersReconfigurable add-drop multiplexers
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