Transmission characteristics of DFB laser modules for analogapplications

Analog transmission characteristics of highly linear 1.3- and 1.55-μm distributed feedback (DFB) laser modules are described. To obtain high-power and high-performance DFB lasers, the bias dependence of distortion characteristics is discussed. The carrier-to-noise ratio, the composite second-order distortion, and the composite triple beat of the DFB laser module which is developed for analog CATV applications are presented. The analog transmission characteristics, such as CNR degradation, after fiber transmission, dispersion-induced distortion, and the influence of reflection, have been made clear. The stable high linearity of the DFB laser also has been confirmed by the composite distortion measurement under an accelerated aging test     

Fundamental second-order nonlinear distortions in analog AM CATVtransport systems based on single frequency semiconductor lasers

The author analyzes the fundamental second-order nonlinearities and their composite distortions in lightwave analog AM CATV transport systems based on single frequency semiconductor lasers. The nonlinear interaction between the photons and the electrons in the laser, the nonlinear dynamics of laser spatial hole burning, and the nonlinear interaction of fiber chromatic dispersion and laser frequency chirping are strongly dependent on the CATV carrier frequencies. The author found that the overall distortions increase for higher carrier frequencies and longer fiber spans. The distortion levels, however, are within the critical requirements for current and future CATV transport systems     

Bit-error rate of M-QAM signal and its analysis model for compositedistortions in AM/QAM hybrid transmission

In cable television (CATV) systems that deliver digital video services by employing a hybrid fiber and coaxial network, it is important to consider digital channel deterioration due to composite distortions, as well as the amplitude-modulation vestigial-sideband channel. Furthermore, it is essential to clearly estimate a digital channel's quality in designing CATV transmission systems. However, there have been few studies on statistical models and an analysis method to estimate the bit-error rate (BER) of M-ary quadrature amplitude-modulation signals for composite distortions. This paper shows statistical properties of composite distortions and a new BER analysis method to handle them. In the evaluations, the amplitude distributions of composite distortions are given by Weibull distributions with skewness levels of 2.3 for composite second-order distortion and 1.5 for composite triple-beat distortion. We propose a new BER analysis method that uses the Weibull distributions for the composite distortion statistical features and demonstrate the effectiveness of the new BER analysis method in estimating BER by comparing its measurement results to calculation results     

Generation and cancellation of second-order harmonic distortion inanalog optical systems by interferometric FM-AM conversion

The generation of strong harmonic distortion from interferometric FM-AM conversion in analog lightwave systems is demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally. The effect results from the combined effects of wavelength chirping of the laser coupled with the nonlinear transmission characteristics of a dispersive element in the optical beam path. It is shown that reflections as small as 2-10^-4 will result in second-order distortion as large as -65 dBc. The effect can also be used to cancel any laser- or detector-induced harmonic distortion. In one example, the -36 dBc second-order distortion in a distributed-feedback (DFB) laser is improved to better than -70 dBc     

入射偏振态偏离TE模对光纤AM CATV外调制发射机性能影响的研究

从理论上分析了入射到调制器的偏振态偏离ＴＥ模时对外调制光发射机组合二次失真（ＣＳＯ）和组合三次差拍（ＣＴＢ）的影响。得出在ＴＥ，ＴＭ模插入损耗相同时，传输５９个ＰＡＬ－Ｄ频道，在保证ＣＳＯ＝－７０ｄＢｃ时，偏离ＴＥ模的角度应小于６°。单频传输的实验结果和理论分析一致     

Signal distortion and noise in AM-SCM transmission systemsemploying the feedforward linearized MQW-EA external modulator

In subcarrier multiplexing (SCM) optical video distribution systems, the nonlinear signal distortion generated by the combined action of laser chirp and fiber dispersion limits the transmission distance. This paper for the first time shows that low-chirp MQW (multiquantum well)-EA (electroabsorption) external modulators are applicable to AM-SCM transmission systems. The feedforward linearization technique is used to compensate the signal distortion due to the nonlinearity in the modulator's L-V (light power versus voltage) characteristic. The effectiveness of this type of modulator for suppressing dispersion-induced distortion is clarified experimentally. A feedforward linearized transmitter with composite second order (CSO) intermodulation distortion <-62 dBc, composite triple beat (CTB) intermodulation distortion <-59 dBc and a carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR) >50.5 dB is successfully constructed. It is shown that the transmitter can achieve a CSO <-59 dBc, a CTB <-57 dBc and a CNR >49.5 dB for a 32 channel AM signal and 10 km transmission. Furthermore, estimations of the signal distortion cancellation and the noise characteristic achieved with feedforward circuit modeling are shown. The results obtained here emphasize that MQW-EA external modulators are applicable to AM-SCM transmission systems     

Progress in externally modulated AM CATV transmission systems

Recent advances in electronic linearization of AM CATV transmitters based on externally modulated diode pumped Nd:YAG lasers are presented. The theoretical principles and practical issues related to the methods of feedforward and predistortion linearization, the factors affecting system performance and the emerging devices, circuits, subsystems, and systems architectures are reviewed. In experiments based on a predistortion linearized system, transmission over two fibers of 30 km each, wherein each fiber carries 80 NTSC channels, is now routinely achieved with a CNR>50 dBc, a CTB<-65 dBc, and a CSO of typically -70 dBc. As the number of channels broadcast over each fiber is reduced from 80 to 60, CNR increases to 52 dBc. The fiber links served by the system under test each have 12-dB link budget, and include four connectors per fiber, with no degradation observed in one link when the connectors were opened on the other link     

Fundamental limits for linearity of CATV lasers

We have considered nonlinear distortions in a subcarrier multiplexed optical transmission system arising from carrier heating effects in the source laser. We included two sources of carrier heating: free-carrier absorption of the coherent radiation in the cavity, and the power flux into the active layer, associated with the input current. Resulting from the very existence of modulated optical and electrical signals, these effects cannot be avoided in any laser structure. Simple analytic expressions have been derived for the intermodulation distortion in multichannel single-mode lasers. For an 80-channel 60-540 MHz system with 3% optical modulation depth per channel, the composite second-order (CSO) distortion brought about by the hot-carrier effects is near the tolerance limit for CATV systems     

Dispersion-induced composite second-order distortion at 1.5 μm

Experimental and theoretical results have shown that the composite second-order (CSO) nonlinearity of 1.5-μm AM analog laser links is inadvertently affected by the coupling of laser chirp with fiber dispersion in regular single-mode fiber. To counteract the dispersion effect, it is shown that dispersion-shifted fiber can be employed in place of the regular fiber. Other possible ways to reduce distortion are to use lasers with reduced chirp, presumably with a multiquantum-well laser structure, or lasers with well-controlled spatial hole burning. Short fiber spans (⩽5 km) for applications providing loop distribution in conjunction with fiber amplifiers are feasible without the use of countermeasures     

Semiconductor lasers versus external modulators: a comparison ofnonlinear distortion for lightwave subcarrier CATV applications

Second- and third-order distortion measurements performed on various buried-heterostructure InGaAsP DFB (distributed feedback) lasers and on LiNbO₃ external modulators are discussed. It is shown that by optimally biasing the external modulator, the second-order distortion can be eliminated but the third-order distortion is 25 dB greater than that of direct modulation. It is also shown that these discrete two-tone measurements can be used to predict the system performance of a 42-channel CATV trunk system. The increased composite-triple beat and lower carrier-to-noise ratio, due to modulator loss, are the disadvantages of the external modulator. If it is possible to improve third-order distortion by modifying the structure of the modulator or by electronic compensation without increasing the second-order distortion, then these modulators may be useful for CATV applications     

Optimum range for DFB laser chirp for fiber-optic AM videotransmission

Simple expressions for the impact of the distributed feedback (DFB) laser chirp on the system noise and distortion specifications of AM CATV fiber links are derived. These· expressions are found to agree well with measured results. There is a narrow range of chirp for which the degradation of both noise and distortion is low. 1310-nm lasers are found to have chirp within the acceptable range. 1550-nm lasers are found to have chirp that is unacceptably large for most CATV applications     

Lightwave subcarrier CATV transmission systems

The design and performance of multichannel amplitude-modulated (AM) vestigial-sideband (VSB) lightwave cable television (CATV) systems are described. Requirements on linearity and noise are derived, and factors limiting the performance of the laser transmitters and receivers are discussed. For the high-performance lasers the carrier-to-noise ratio and composite second- and third-order distortions are acceptable for video trunk systems. Impairments because of fiber reflections and dispersion and mode partition fluctuations in the laser are discussed. Feedforward, feedback, and predistortion are discussed; difficulties with each prevent immediate application. The use of LiNbO₃ external modulators and high-power solid-state lasers is considered. The third-order distortion and insertion loss of the modulator more than counteract the high available laser power (100 mW), making this alternative unattractive unless a third-order linearizer can be implemented     

Improvement of CSO/CTB performances employing up-converted and polarization modulation techniques

A two-wavelength wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) community antenna television (CATV) transport system that employed up-converted and polarization modulation techniques to reduce the composite second-order (CSO) distortion and optical nonlinearities is proposed and demonstrated. In contrast to a two-wavelength WDM CATV transport system using the intensity modulation technique, good performances of CSO and composite triple beat were obtained, accompanied by acceptable carrier-to-noise ratio value in our proposed system over a 100-km single-mode fiber transmission.     

Characterization and theoretical analysis of second-orderintermodulation distortion of InGaAs/InP p-i-n photodiode modules forfiber-optic CATV

InGaAs/InP p-i-n photodiode (PD) modules for fiber-optic analog CATV have been developed. The optical configuration was optimized by making use of a spherical lens aberration. Responsivity and second-order intermodulation distortion (IMD2) were 0.95 A/W and -85 dBc at V_r =12 V, P_in=0 dBm, and m=40%, respectively. The improvement of IMD2 by defocusing was explained by the decrease of incident optical power density calculated by ray tracing. IMD2 was quantitatively explained through the reverse voltage dependence of responsivity which originates from the variation of the p⁺-InGaAs depletion layer thickness     

Polarization dependent distortion in AM-SCM video transmissionsystems

The second-order intermodulation distortion product, namely composite second-order (CSO) distortion, of an AM-SCM video transmission system can be caused by the optical isolators, cascaded fiber amplifiers, or the fiber transmission cable employed. Moreover, the absolute distortion value depends on the polarization angle of light input to the optical isolators, cascaded fiber amplifiers, and fiber transmission line. The degraded distortion values are measured and their mechanisms are clarified     

Applications of Monomode Fiber to Local Networks

Monomode fibers and long-wavelength lasers provide a practically unlimited transmission bandwidth over very long unrepeated distances. These unique properties open up new applications. Besides the conventional long-haul telecommunications carrier applications, new markets will develop in local networks to take advantage of the low maintenance costs, the flexibility, and the high privacy of repeaterless fiber optic links. A first example is Aetna Life and Casualty's private corporate network in the Hartford area, a wide area corporate network (WACN) designed to support: high-quality video transmission for Video conferencing or broadcasting; conventional voice and data communications; future highspeed data communications. Different aspects of the implementation of this WACN are presented. Another example, the interconnection of CATV franchises in the same area, is also discussed.     

Distortion related to polarization-mode dispersion in analoglightwave systems

Analog transmission in single-mode fiber using chirped sources gives rise to nonlinear distortion when polarization-mode dispersion (PMD) is present. We investigate experimentally and theoretically two mechanisms for this distortion: for chirped sources, PMD in the presence of polarization-mode coupling results in second-order distortion that is proportional to the square of the modulation frequency; when polarization-dependent loss is present, an additional second-order distortion term occurs that is independent of modulation frequency. Both mechanisms give rise to distortion that is time varying due to the sensitivity of PMD to ambient temperature changes. Numerical examples indicate that these effects can limit the capacity of analog systems that use directly modulated semiconductor lasers     

Bidirectional Hybrid DWDM‐PON for HDTV/Gigabit Ethernet/CATV Applications

A new scheme for bi‐directional HDTV/Gigabit Ethernet/CATV transmission over a hybrid dense‐wavelength‐division‐multiplexing passive optical network (DWDM‐PON) is proposed and demonstrated. It is based on injection‐locked vertical‐cavity surface‐emitting lasers and distributed‐feedback laser diodes as transmitters. Services with 129 HDTV channels, a 1.25 Gbps Gigabit Ethernet connection, and 77 CATV channels are successfully demonstrated over 40 km single‐mode fiber links. Good performance of bit error rate, carrier‐to‐noise ratio, composite second order, and composite triple beat is achieved in our proposed bidirectional DWDM‐PON.     

Hybrid AM-VSB/256-QAM/Internet transport systems in the campus

We propose and demonstrate simultaneous transport of 1556 nm downstream CATV analog video, 256-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) digital TV and Internet access signals, as well as 1310 nm upstream Internet access signals over the existing multimode fiber (MMF) in the campus. This technique makes possible analog and digital video transmission, gigabit Ethernet as well as Internet access to the classrooms through the existing MMF. Our proposed system has the distinctive advantages of simplicity and lower cost, and is thus eminently suitable for fiber to the classrooms application.     

The impact of CSO/CTB distortion on BER characteristics by hybridmultichannel analog/QAM transmission systems

The FEC limit (uncorrectable errors) with CSO/CTB (composite second order/composite triple beats) distortion presence in a channel is not for modulated lasers only, but for coaxial networks with amplifiers too. The system quality reserve depends not only on CNR, but is more limited on CSO/CTB. It is important, for the definition of the system quality reserve, to calculate the CSO/CTB spectrum caused by analogue channels within analogue and digital QAM channels and also to calculate the changing of CNR from the intermodulation interaction between analog and digital channels in a CATV network