Evolution of DWDM towards 100G and beyond

German Garcia
Technology Specialist Tellabs International, LAC Sunrise, FL
Abstract Attenuation and Chromatic dispersion are the main factors for 10G NRZ in fibers. The OSNR for Nx10G is calculated using the Noise Figure of the EDFA amplifiers in the link and the per channel input power at each stage. The OSNR of 100G PM-QPSK over existing DWDM needs an adjustment of power and spectrum. The adoption of 100G will depend on the use of good power control in the OSNR to avoid guard bands. The evolution of 400G will challenge the WSS Broadcast and Select system architectures by reducing their practical scope. Keywords OSNR; PM-QPSK; WSS; ROADM EDFA; XPM effects; Noise Figure; IQ modulation; FEC; Q-Factor.

Mixing 10G NRZ and 100G PM-QPSK signals in the same DWDM link represents a challenge for network designers and operators because of the XPM interference effects caused by the NRZ signals over PM-QPSK.

I.

INTRODUCTION

Fig 4. Link with 6x10G NRZ and 1x 100G PM-QPSK

The market for DWDM systems is migrating away from serial architectures due to their limitations of capacity and their long term operating costs.

This paper describes some basic ideas in order to minimize the most common problems found in the early adoption of 100G over existing DWDM networks. II. OSNR IN DWDM SYSTEMS

A. OSNR of 10G NRZ in Multi Span DWDM Systems

Fig 1. Legacy DWDM System

Modern DWDM systems use WSS ROADM with parallel architecture capable of supporting both service aggregation of Packet, EoSDH and OTN into higher bandwidth links of Nx10 and 100Gbps.

The most relevant signal impairments for 10G NRZ signals are attenuation and chromatic dispersion. To control the attenuation, we use EDFA and RAMAN amplifiers. To control the chromatic dispersion we install special fibers bundles - known as DCF modules - in specific locations of the DWDM link. The calculation of the OSNR for 10G NRZ includes the signal deterioration of all intermediate systems of the link.

Fig 2. Modern DWDM System

OSNR :=

DWDM lasers have follow this trend of 10G signals using NRZ as the lowest cost and 100G signals using PM-QPSK for higher capacity. All other options are being abandoned due to their limitations of lower capacity and higher costs.

+ + .... + OSNR_N OSNR_1 OSNR_2

1 1 1 1

Eq 1. General OSNR Link Calculations

The OSNR of the amplifiers is characterized by their Noise Figure which represents the ratio of deterioration of the OSNR at the input and the output of the specific stage of the link. As indicated in the picture 5, the OSNR of a multi span link is dominated by the NF values of each amplifier and the input power in the specific location. The DCF modules have indirect effect in the input power of the next amplification stage. As the DCF do not generate any amplification, they dont generate extra noise by themselves.

Fig 3. Trends in 10G NRZ and 100G PM-QPSK

The other elements in the OSNR equation are constants.

Eq 3. OSNR equation from IEC 61280-2-9

The algorithm for adjusting the OSNR calculations of 100G PM-QPSK is summarized as follows:
Fig 5. Example of OSNR map in a DWDM Link

Save the Spectrum Data File in CVS format Calculate 100G Signal + Noise = (P + N) i by integrating over 0.4nm = Average Power for 0.4nm width multiplied by (0.4/0.08). Measure Noise Power without the 100G (N). Calculate P i = (P + N) i N i x 0.4/0.08 Calculate OSNR using B m = 0.08 nm B r = 0.1nm

The ITU OSNR out also show the relation with the channel input power in the Optical Network Element. This emphasizes the importance of having per-channel gain control in the EDFA for linear and mesh topologies.

The True OSNR of 100G PM-QPSK involves an Optical OSNR in addition to an Electrical OSNR component due to the digital IQ modulation, filters and FEC inside the 100G DWDM line card.

Eq 2. OSNR Calculation at the Optical Network Element Fig 7. Typical architecture of a 100G PM-QPSK Line

A fixed gain EDFA amplifier will not be able to control the input power of the NRZ signals. High power of NRZ channels will create XPM degrading the OSNR of the PM-QPSK signal. In other words, a problem that was originated by the lack of power management may force the operator to use guard bands in the spectrum around the 100G link. B. Practical OSNR measurement for 100G PM-QPSK 100G PM-QPSK is degraded by the XPM effects generated by adjacent NRZ signals. Measuring the Optical OSNR of 100G PM-QPSK channels using existing spectrum analyzers requires some bandwidth and power adjustments.

Some estimations for the true OSNR for 100G PM-QPSK signals use a correlation pattern similar to the Q-factor in 10G NRZ. The calculations include a sophisticated set of equations for the IQ modulation and the use of Digital Filters against the estimation of the expected BER. III. PREPARING YOUR NETWORK BEYOND 100G

A. Strategic Investment in WSS and DCF-less networks Existing DWDM System will support large deployments of Nx 100G PM-QPSK signals. 10x10 PM-QPSK multiplexers alleviate the effects of XPM and reduce the need of DCF modules. The massive adoption of 100G will take several years to materialize in most markets. The introduction of 400G will disrupt the existing WSS ROADM products. Current WSS use a Broadcast & Select architecture which has low OSNR port isolation.

Fig 6. OSNR adjustments for 100G PM-QPSK

The following link explains a method for the measurement of the ONSR. http://www.exfo.com/en/Search/?q=anote098
Fig 8. WSS using Broadcast and Select

An alternative may use Route and Select architectures improving the port isolation and increasing the number of degrees per ROADM. The limiting factor is the high cost.

As of today, studies for 400G signals revolve around the technical challenges of using four, two or a single carrier with 16QAM or QPSK. As always, the real outcome will depend on the complexity and the cost.

Fig 9. WSS using Route and Select

Both WSS architectures will support 400G in real network implementations. There is an open discussion about the future evolution towards greater connectivity in which Route and Select may play a more significant role in the years to come.
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] Fig 10. OSNR margins between WSS BS & WSS RS [8]

Fig 11. 400G implementation alternatives

REFERENCES
J. Larikova and D. Jenkins OSNR Methodology Rev G. Tellabs 2009. ITU-T Handbook of Optical fibers, Cables and Systems. ITU-T Manual 2009, pp 205-240. R. Nuijts SURFNET progress report, PPT presentation, pp 22, 2005 D. Ives, B. Thomsen et al. Estimating OSNR of Equalized QPSK signals,ECOC technical digest, pp 1-3. 2011 EXFO application note 098. Measuring OSNR in DWDM systems. http://www.exfo.com/en/Search/?q=application+note+098 Agilent. J. Dupre and J. Stimple. Making OSNR measurements in DWDM Modulated Signal Environment. PPT presentation. Pp 10-26. Yokogawa Electric Corp. Instruction manual for Spectrum Analizer QA6331. 2004 R. Younce. Engineering 400G in Metro/Regional. Pp. Tellabs 2013.