Simultaneous transmission of standard data, precise time, stable frequency and sensing signals and their possible interaction

Abstract

Since optical fibre is a standard medium for all current and new networks, these optical networks offer possibility for connecting new applications over long distances almost to anywhere. However with increasing number of applications, the large number of dedicated fibres will be necessary. This constitution is quite unpractical in terms of costs, however since wavelength division multiplexing enables transmission of multiple different signals over one fibre it is more than suitable to use this technology for cost reduction and network efficiency increase. Wavelength division multiplexing technology is common in data networks where parameters of all signals may be optimized (especially maximum optical power launched into the fibre) for simultaneous transmission. In case of non-data applications the situation is more difficult because each application is connected by different type of signal and with its own requirements for transmission parameters. Hence it is necessary to evaluate possible interactions before field deployment. In this paper we deal with possible interaction of a coherent 100 Gb/s dual polarisation QPSK data signal with new applications like accurate time and stable frequency transmission and high-power pulse signal used for distributed sensing. In laboratory setup we performed a measurement with a standard G.652D single mode optical fibre and also with G.655 fibre which can also be found in some networks and may be source of more nonlinear interactions. All signals were transmitted in a grid with 100GHz spacing according to ITU standard. Results confirmed our assumptions that 100GHz spacing is not large enough and also that G.655 optical fibre is prone to more non-linear interactions.