The Impact of 100G Modulation

Schemes on Dispersion (CD/PMD)

and Optical Spectral Analysis (OSA)

Jean-Baptiste Létang
EMEA Applications Engineer
jean-baptiste.letang@exfo.com
Agenda – Part 1
1. What is OSNR
2. Importance of OSNR
– Traditional method
3. Problems with modern networks
4. EXFO’s Approach
5. The EXFO Advantage
What is OSNR?
Optical Signal to Noise Ratio

Comparison of the level of the signal to the noise in a system.

Tx Rx
l1 80km Section l1
l2 l2

Demultiplexer
l3 l3
Multiplexer

l4 l4
EDFA EDFA EDFA EDFA
l5 l5
l6 l6
l7 l7
l8 l8
Signal
Power

OSNR
OSNR

Noise
Distance
Importance of OSNR
Relationship between OSNR & Bit Error Rate

• Provides indication of the quality of the signal

• Better the OSNR, better the signal quality.

OSNR
 What does the ITU-T say?
ITU-T G. 697 Optical monitoring for DWDM systems, appendix III

Pi + Ni
“This method works well for
simple point-to-point
systems with nothing but
fibre and amplifiers in the
optical path. For more
Power

complex DWDM systems,

however, the introduction of
any element which causes
shaping of the noise
N( ni – Dn) N(n i + Dn) between channels renders
Ni this method inaccurate.”
G.697(09)_FIII.1
Wavelength
 What does the ITU-T say? The need for In-band
ITU-T G. 697 Optical monitoring for DWDM systems, appendix III

OADM: At point B:0

–5

–10
A –15
B
At point A: –20

0 –25

–5 –30

–10 –35

–15 –40

–20 –45 G.697(09)_FIII.4

1542 1544 1546 1548 1550 1552 1554 1556 1558 1560
–25

–30
“The noise between the channels has been
G.697(09)_FIII.2
–35 strongly shaped by the combined filtering
–40 function of the Demux/Mux [...]
–45 G.697(09)_FIII.3

1542 1544 1546 1548 1550 1552 1554 1556 1558 1560
In-Band noise - Theory
Ppeak

Signal OSNR
(Strongly
polarised) Noise
PNoise
In-band
(Randomly
polarised)
So what about 100G signals?
Why IEC fails in coherent networks
Case 1: network operates at 40 Gb/s or 100 Gb/s

• Coherent 40G and 100G signals are closely spaced and overlap.
The IEC interpolation method leads to an over-estimation of the noise level.

• It creates a false sense of problem.

IEC Noise level

Real noise level

Why IEC fails in coherent networks
Case 2: ROADM present in network

• A ROADM contains filters that reduce inter-channel noise.

• The traditional interpolation method leads to an underestimation of the noise.
• It creates a false sense of security.

Real noise level

IEC Noise level

Why in-band fails in coherent networks
ITU-T G.697 Optical Monitoring for DWDM systems
 EXFO’s approach – Reference-Based
Can measure via Taps -> No service interruption
Rely on same Maths as WDM-aware
Use reference-acquired shape (Tap 1)
Find noise contribution
EXFO’s approach – Reference-Based
• Use Reference Measurement as signal
shape to find noise Tap 5
0

-5

-10

-15

-20

-25

-30
Tap 3
-35
1546.6 1546.7 1546.8 1546.9 1547.0 1547.1 1547.2

• Showing with Tap 3 to demonstrate

reference with residual OSNR but
works well with Tap 1
OSNR methods summary

Data rate ROADM? Modulation Baud rate OSNR

format method
≤ 10 Gbits/s no OOK 10 GBd IEC
≤ 10 Gbits/s yes OOK 10 GBd In-band
40 Gbits/s yes or no DQPSK or 20 GBd In-band
non-coherent other
40 Gbits/s yes or no DP-QPSK, 10 GBd or 20 Pol mux
coherent DP-BPSK GBd
100 Gbits/s yes or no DP-QPSK 28 GBd Pol mux
coherent
 So is pol mux OSNR available for 40G/100G?

EXFO now offers reference-based method as

analysis service:

• The customer acquires traces at the

transmitter and at the location of interest with
EXFO OSA.

• EXFO analyses them and sends a report.

The ONLY solution available now in the market!

?
Agenda – Part 2
1. Review of dispersion
2. Dispersion limits
3. Introduction to advanced modulation
schemes
4. Impact on dispersion limits
5. EXFO Advantage
6. Summary
 Types of Dispersion
•Chromatic Dispersion:
•Different wavelengths travel at different velocities

Pulse Pulse Spreading

•Polarization mode dispersion:

•Different polarization modes travel at different velocities

Pulse
Pulse Spreading
Limits of Traditional Networks

But the landscape is changing – New modulation schemes

From Amplitude to Phase Modulation
More Bits per Baud
• For QPSK we have 4 different phases that we can transmit at.
• Each state of phase is identified by 2 bits

• Every time we change phase we send 2 bits of info.

• Our baud rate halves
Modulation Scheme Summary
• Advanced Modulation Schemes
• New schemes such as QPSK & DQPSK being
employed
• 2 bits per symbol change

• Polarisation Multiplexing
• Sends 2 signals at different states of polarisation.

• Coherent Detection & Digital Signal Processing

• New signal processing can correct for all impairments!
• 112Gbits/s achieved with a Baud rate of 28GBaud
From 10 to 40 to 100G in the Field
Going faster means more pressure on the network. Or does it…?

Speed Modulation OSNR CD PMD

10Gbps Traditional On- Traditional OSNR Typically around Typically around
Off Keying (IEC) 1100 ps/nm 10ps
From 10 to 40 to 100G in the Field
Going faster means more pressure on the network. Or does it…?

Speed Modulation OSNR CD PMD

10Gbps Traditional On- Traditional OSNR Typically around Typically around
Off Keying (IEC) 1100 ps/nm 10ps

40Gbps BPSK Requires In-Band, Typically around Typically below

IEC Fails 250 ps/nm 10ps
From 10 to 40 to 100G in the Field
Going faster means more pressure on the network. Or does it…?

Speed Modulation OSNR CD PMD

10Gbps Traditional On- Traditional OSNR Typically around Typically around
Off Keying (IEC) 1100 ps/nm 10ps

40Gbps BPSK Requires In-Band, Typically around Typically below

IEC Fails 250 ps/nm 10ps

40Gbps Polarization Requires Pol-Mux Almost unlimited, Typically around

Multiplexing ready In-Band (not but suffers from 30ps
yet available) previous
compensation
From 10 to 40 to 100G in the Field
Going faster means more pressure on the network. Or does it…?

Speed Modulation OSNR CD PMD

10Gbps Traditional On- Traditional OSNR Typically around Typically around
Off Keying (IEC) 1100 ps/nm 10ps

40Gbps BPSK Requires In-Band, Typically around Typically below

IEC Fails 250 ps/nm 10ps

40Gbps Polarization Requires Pol-Mux Almost unlimited, Typically around

Multiplexing ready In-Band (not but suffers from 30ps
yet available) previous
compensation

100Gbps Polarization Requires Pol-Mux Almost unlimited, Typically around

Multiplexing ready In-Band (not but suffers from 30ps
yet available) previous
compensation
What does 100G mean for fiber optic test?
Basics still apply;

• ITU G.650.3 Level 1:

– Need to ensure that the connectors are
clean, splices, connectors & fibre are
within limits.

• ITU G.650.3 Level 2:

– Dispersion
• New 100GE systems are very
tolerant to CD & PMD

Is this the end of a requirement for dispersion testing?

100GE Examples

• Fiber Characterisation
– Very large tolerance
– But they’d prefer some engineering margin.

• PMD compensation
– System monitors local PMD and applies a correction factor
– If the PMD changes quickly – difficult to apply correct compensation

• When can PMD change fast?

– Aerial Fibers
– Close to metro lines, under bridges, etc.
10G will be around for quite a while

• Growth in Metro 10G

• Plenty of 10G links still requiring testing
100G Non Coherent

• Designed for Metro, small, medium country networks. (500km

Reach)
• Utilising modulation of phase & amplitude modulation or 4 x
28Gbit/s carriers in 100GHz channel

• Advantages
• Price & Power consumption.

• Limited in CD & PMD tolerance

• Requires knowledge of CD & PMD of network
Dispersion Measurements

• What’s important
• CD
• Measure CD so the correct compensation scheme can be put into
place.
• Typically what’s required Chromatic Dispersion (ps/nm) @ 1550nm
& slope

• PMD
• System will tolerate an amount of PMD, need to ensure the total
PMD for the link is below this value. Simply PMD – GO/NO GO.
• Typically what’s required total PMD in ps
• If fibre or cable manufacturer the PMD coefficient ps/√km
Summary

• Implementation of Advanced Modulation Schemes & Pol Mux

– Relaxing dispersion pressures on Next Generation Networks –
• Some systems would still prefer some margin & avoid fast changing
PMD
– 100G Only just beginning to installed
• Plenty of 10 & 40G (100G Non coherent) links will require testing.

• OSNR still an important parameter at 100G

– Current IEC & In-Band methods fail
– Ref trace method best option going forward.

EXFO complete portfolio ensures that both DWDM & Next

Generation Networks can be tested accurately & efficiently.