Network Access to 2000 WDM Channels at 2 GHz Granularity with a Single Laser in C-band

Abstract

As WDM channel spacing continues to decrease in size, and with the application of tunable lasers in DWDM (dense wavelength division multiplexing) systems, we demonstrate the ability of electronically tuned lasers to cope with demanding channel spacing and inevitable low frequency setting error. By finding the stable operating points of a single tunable laser at the desired frequencies, using advanced software for feature extraction a look-up table to drive the laser was generated. Once the drive currents to access 2000 channels in a 2 GHz comb are found, and in order to justify their usability in WDM networks, their frequency setting error and Side Mode Suppression Ratio (SMSR) was found. These results open up new possibilities for DWDM access networks while pointing to new potential for management of versatile wavelength re-allocation as well as providing a limit of achievement for channel density and granularity in the optical fiber network.