Coherent Receiver Imperfection Compensation via Dual Equalizer Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current coherent optical receiver compensation techniques are limited by the need for factory calibration, inability to adapt during operation, and inability to cope with nonlinear impairments, especially high-order PMD, PDL, and CD, requiring special training sequences and increasing complexity.

Innovation Solution

A device that uses an agnostic adaptation algorithm to equalize the receive signal with two separate equalizers, estimating the link response during operation and calculating the target output for the receiver equalizer based on the link transfer function, allowing for compensation of nonlinear impairments without special training sequences and reducing complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If factory calibration is used for compensation, then initial setup is simplified, but the system cannot adapt to component changes over time and requires time-consuming external equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveInitial setup simplicityVSAvoidAdaptability to component changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptation by continuously tracking component characteristics changes over time through real-time monitoring and adjustment of compensation parameters, allowing the system to adapt to aging and temperature effects without factory recalibration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the coherent receiver to automatically adjust compensation parameters based on measured imperfections, eliminating the need for external calibration equipment and enabling continuous optimization of compensation accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If high-order constellations are used at high line rates, then spectral efficiency is improved, but sensitivity to transponder imperfections increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSpectral efficiencyVSAvoidSensitivity to imperfections
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary compensation of identified imperfections before signal transmission through the coherent receiver, preventing distortion accumulation and maintaining signal integrity for high-order constellations at high line rates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by pre-compensating for expected imperfections such as IQ skew and nonlinearities before they degrade the signal, thereby protecting the high-order constellation integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Use of energy by moving object

If electrical driver and modulator operate at high-power levels, then signal power utilization is improved, but nonlinear distortion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSignal power utilizationVSAvoidNonlinear distortion
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful nonlinear distortion generated by high-power operation into a measurable imperfection that can be characterized and compensated, transforming a disadvantage into an opportunity for adaptive correction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts compensation parameters based on the actual operating conditions and measured nonlinear distortion characteristics, optimizing the balance between power utilization and distortion suppression

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4046294B1Device for compensating imperfections at a coherent optical receiver
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4046294B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4046294B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4046294B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to optical communications, in particular between an optical transmitter and a coherent optical receiver over an optical link. The invention provides a device for compensating imperfections at the coherent optical receiver. The device is configured to: obtain a receive signal from the receiver; adapt a first equalizer based on a target output for the first equalizer; compensate the receive signal with the first equalizer in order to compensate imperfections caused by the receiver; and compensate the receive signal further with a second equalizer, in order to compensate imperfections caused by a link between a transmitter and the receiver. The device is further configured to: estimate a channel response based on a configuration of the second equalizer; extract a transfer function of the link from the channel response; and calculate the target output for the first equalizer based on the transfer function and based on bit decisions obtained from the receive signal.