Optical Transmitter Modulation Format for Linear Performance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional high-dimensional modulation formats for optical coherent transmission systems face challenges in achieving optimal linear and nonlinear performance due to restrictive polarization balance criteria, leading to reduced spectral efficiency and increased fiber nonlinear impairments.

Innovation Solution

The optical transmitter employs a modulation format with symbols having non-identical polarization states in consecutive time slots, relaxing the polarization balance constraint to improve linear performance and allowing for higher spectral efficiencies of 2.5 and 3.5 bits/interval, using a QPSK base constellation and generating overhead bits to optimize symbol selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polarization balance criteria are applied to design high-dimensional modulation formats, then nonlinear performance is improved, but linear performance deteriorates and spectral efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenonlinear performanceVSAvoidlinear performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the polarization state parameter of symbols across consecutive time slots. Instead of maintaining identical polarization states (conventional approach), the invention uses non-identical polarization states in consecutive slots, which transforms the system behavior to achieve both improved linear performance (through increased Euclidean distance) while maintaining nonlinear performance through controlled polarization variation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends the modulation from 4-dimensional (I, Q, X, Y) to 8-dimensional by incorporating time slot indexing as an additional degree of freedom. This dimensional expansion allows the system to achieve higher spectral efficiencies (2.5 and 3.5 bits/interval) while using non-identical polarization states in consecutive time slots, resolving the contradiction between linear and nonlinear performance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If conventional modulation formats with identical polarization states are used, then device complexity is reduced, but spectral efficiency is limited and linear performance is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodulation format complexityVSAvoidspectral efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic polarization state selection where the polarization state of symbols changes across consecutive time slots according to a predefined pattern. This dynamic approach allows the system to achieve higher spectral efficiencies (2.5 and 3.5 bits/interval) without requiring complex real-time adaptation, as the polarization sequence is predetermined based on the modulation format design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If symbols with constant modulus are used, then fiber nonlinear impairments are mitigated, but linear performance and spectral efficiency are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber nonlinear impairmentsVSAvoidlinear performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the polarization state parameter of symbols across consecutive time slots. Instead of maintaining identical polarization states (conventional approach), the invention uses non-identical polarization states in consecutive slots, which transforms the system behavior to achieve both improved linear performance (through increased Euclidean distance) while maintaining nonlinear performance through controlled polarization variation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 results in better linear and nonlinear channel performance by increasing the Euclidean distance of constellation points, enhancing the optical transmitter's efficiency and reducing fiber nonlinear impairments.

Implementation Method 1

a modulator configured to use in each transmission time slot the first symbol to modulate a first carrier wave and the second symbol to modulate a second carrier wave

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectro-optic modulation: Electro-Optic Effects

Implementation Method 2

transmit the two carrier waves over orthogonal polarizations (referred to as X and Y) of the optical carrier

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentEP3679662B1Optical transmitter and transmission method
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3679662B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3679662B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3679662B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides an optical transmitter (100) for transmitting a data signal (101). The optical transmitter (100) comprises an encoder (102) configured to encode the data signal (101) by selecting based on a bit sequence (101, 401) a first symbol and a second symbol from a set (200) of four symbols (201-204) for each one of at least two transmission time slots. The optical transmitter (100) further comprises a modulator (103) configured to use in each transmission time slot the first symbol to modulate a first carrier wave and the second symbol to modulate a second carrier wave, and to transmit the two carrier waves over orthogonal polarizations of an optical carrier (104). Symbols (201-204) in consecutive transmission time slots have non-identical polarization states.