Multi-Element Fibre for Space-Division Multiplexed Transmission

Abstract

Abstract:We present a multi-element fibre (MEF) as a novel candidate for space-divisionmultiplexing of optical channels that require high density of data transfer. 3-MEFs, comprising three individual fibres in a common coating, have been fabricated and error-free transmission has been demonstrated.

Multi-Element Fiber Technology for Space-Division Multiplexing Applications

“…The fabrication and characterization of both the passive MEFs [26] and the ME-EYDFA will be discussed, and also transmission experiments that combine the passive MEF fibers and the amplifier will be presented. Our experiments illustrate the functionality of the approach and demonstrate the compatibility of MEF technology with the existing SMF technology [27].…”

Space Division Multiplexing Using Multi-Element Fibers

“…The attenuation and dispersion characteristics for MEF has been observed to be similar to that of a SSMF drawn from the same starting preform [10], showing no additional penalty with respect to SMFs. MEF exhibits crosstalk levels under 100 dB between the various elements and full compatibility with standard WDM components [10].…”

Multi-element fiber for space-division multiplexing

“…Furthermore, the signal fibers have been combined to make cascaded amplifiers, to achieve a flat-gain and tune the gain profile of the device. In addition, both passive 3-MEF and C-band ME-EYDFA have been tested in a SDM based transmission experiments to demonstrate the compatibility of MEF technology with existing technology 22,23 . In this paper, we review the progress achieved to-date in fabrication and characterization of passive MEFs and ME-EYDFAs.…”

“…The fiber-elements in noncompact 3-MEFs with an element spacing of 95 µm were subsequently connected in series with the output of one fiber-element spliced to the input of next fiber-element of the same length of 3-MEF, thus obtaining an effective total transmission length of 28.5km, for the transmission experiment. 3-MEFs were then characterized for bit-error-rate (BER) performance using wavelength multiplexed channels in three different modulation formats: twenty-one-10-Gbps-OOK, two 40Gbps-BPSK, and two 24Gbps-Qpsk, with overall data rate of 1014 Gbps 22 . The schematic of the experimental setup for the BER measurement is shown in fig 2. Dispersion compensating fiber (DCF) was used prior to retrieving the channels at the output.…”