Mode division multiplexing network: A deployment scenario in metro area network

Ken-ichi Kitayama, Akihiro Maruta, Yuki Yoshida, Nikolaos P. Diamantopoulos, Yue-Cai Huang, Masaya Nakazawa, Tomoki Isoda

Abstract: Mode division multiplexing (MDM) over wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) network is studied, particularly focusing on low differential mode group delay (DMGD) two-mode fiber (TMF) link in a wide spectral range. Here, the DMGD is defined as the group delay between the two guided modes, LP <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">01</sub> and LP <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">11</sub> modes. For the starter, We will revisit an invention of the original TMF in late 70's, followed by the DMGD-compensated TMF link and crosstalk between two mode channels due to the mode coupling effect. Next, in order to explore the feasibility of "real-time" digital signal processing (DSP) for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission system for equalizing the mode channel crosstalk, the computational complexity of MIMO DSP will be evaluated. As a consequence, a criterion of the DMGD value to enable the realtime MIMO DSP is derived. Finally, against a backdrop of 560% predicted traffic surge of metro area network (MAN) by 2017, a deployment scenario of MDM over WDM MAN is presented as the solution, and the MDM node architecture will be discussed.