Optical Signal Phase Extraction for Nonlinear Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical communication systems face challenges in accurately compensating for nonlinear transmission impairments in optical fibers, particularly due to incomplete knowledge of fiber link parameters, leading to unreliable distortion compensation and time delays in signal quality optimization.

Innovation Solution

A method that extracts phase information from optical signals to determine the nonlinear coefficient γ, using a control mechanism and optimization algorithm to adjust this coefficient without requiring Forward Error Correction, thereby accelerating the convergence to optimal values and improving signal quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Digital Back Propagation (DBP) is used to compensate nonlinear impairments, then transmission performance is improved, but the method requires full knowledge of link parameters which is usually unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistortion compensation reliabilityVSAvoidlink parameter information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the transmitted signal itself to extract phase information and determine the nonlinear coefficient, eliminating the need for external link parameter measurements or training sequences. The signal carries its own diagnostic information through phase analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes from requiring multiple link parameters (length, power, fiber type) to requiring only phase information extracted from the signal, fundamentally simplifying the information requirements while maintaining compensation accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If semi-blind nonlinear compensator is used, then parameter optimization is possible with limited information, but time delays occur due to BER determination requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter optimization capabilityVSAvoidoptimization time delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts phase information directly from the received signal without requiring BER determination or iterative optimization loops. By taking out only the essential phase component, the system achieves rapid coefficient determination without time-consuming error rate measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The method skips the traditional BER measurement and iterative optimization steps by directly calculating the nonlinear coefficient from phase information, rushing through to the optimal parameter value in a single computational pass

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Measurement precision

If optical performance monitoring is implemented to adjust nonlinear coefficient, then compensation accuracy is improved, but Forward Error Correction is required which increases complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenonlinear coefficient determination accuracyVSAvoidForward Error Correction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the necessary phase information directly from the signal constellation without requiring FEC decoding. By taking out only the phase component before error correction processing, the system achieves precise coefficient determination with reduced complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using FEC to monitor performance and then adjust parameters, the invention inverts the approach by using phase information to directly determine the nonlinear coefficient, eliminating the need for FEC-based monitoring infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables robust and efficient compensation of nonlinear effects in optical transmission, reducing bit error rates and improving transmission performance even with incomplete link information, and can be applied to both homogeneous and inhomogeneous links.

Implementation Method 1

Nonlinear propagation impairments (some of them are induced by the 'Kerr effect') include self-phase modulation (SPM), cross-phase modulation (XPM), four-wave mixing (FWM) and nonlinear phase noise (NLPN)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectKerr effect: Kerr Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2997676B1Method, device and communication system for reducing optical transmission impairments
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 XIEON NETWORKS SARL
  • EP2997676B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2997676B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP2997676B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

A method and device is provided for reducing optical transmission impairments, particularly nonlinear effects, of at least one link. Said method comprising the following steps: extracting a phase information (Δθ) from an optical signal (120) received via that at least one link, determining a nonlinear coefficient (γ), associated with the at least one link, based on the phase information(Δθ), applying a control mechanism (202) using the nonlinear coefficient (γ). Furthermore, a communication system is suggested comprising said device.