Dispersion and Nonlinearity Identification for Single-Mode Fibers Using the Nonlinear Fourier Transform

Journal article (2020)

Authors

P.B.J. de Koster Team Sander Wahls - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
S. Wahls Team Sander Wahls - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Research Group
Team Sander Wahls (Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2020 P.B.J. de Koster, S. Wahls
DOI
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https://doi.org/10.1109/JLT.2020.2979285
Digital signal processing Nonlinear Fourier transform Chromatic dispersion Fiber identification Fiber-optic communications Kerr nonlinear effect
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Published Date

2020

Language

English

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Faculty

Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Department

Delft Center for Systems and Control

Research Group

Team Sander Wahls

Abstract

Efficient fiber-optic communication requires precise knowledge of the fiber coefficients, but these often change over time due to factors such as aging or bending. We propose a novel algorithm that identifies the average second-order dispersion and Kerr nonlinearity coefficient of a fiber, without employing any special training signals. Instead, ordinary input and output data recorded during normal operation is used. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such algorithm. The algorithm is based on the nonlinear Fourier spectrum of the signal, which is known to evolve trivially as the signal propagates through an idealized model of the fiber. The algorithm varies the values of the fiber coefficients until the corresponding nonlinear Fourier spectrum at transmitter and receiver match optimally. We test the algorithm on simulated transmission data over a 1600 km link, and accurately identify the fiber coefficients. The identification algorithm is in particular well suited for providing a fiber model for nonlinear Fourier transform-based communication.