Long-distance parallel data link using WDM transmission with bit-skew compensation

Abstract

This paper studies the advantages and disadvantages of using a parallel link based on wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) for long-distance data transmission through a single-mode fiber as an alternative to a high-speed serial link. A long-distance optical link operating near the 1.55 /spl mu/m or 0.85 /spl mu/m wavelength regions suffers the large group-delay dispersion of a standard fiber. On these wavelengths, the skew between bit-channels is the major problem for wordwide WDM transmission. We propose a method to compensate for bit skew greater than the bit time, and analyze its performance gain in terms of the increase in the maximum data throughput achievable. With bit-skew compensation, the wordwide parallel link achieves a maximum aggregate data rate that is greater than what a serial link can obtain for the same link length.