Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Optics Express, this paper reviews the evolution of optical fiber communication systems, and through a look at the previous 20 years attempts to extrapolate fiber-optic technology needs and potential solution paths over the coming 20 years. Well aware that 20-year extrapolations are inherently associated with great uncertainties, we still hope that taking a significantly longer-term view than most texts in this field will provide the reader with a broader perspective and will encourage the much needed out-of-the-box thinking to solve the very significant technology scaling problems ahead of us. Focusing on the optical transport and switching layer, we cover aspects of large-scale spatial multiplexing, massive opto-electronic arrays and holistic optics-electronics-DSP integration, as well as optical node architectures for switching and multiplexing of spatial and spectral superchannels.

Fiber-optic transmission and networking: the previous 20 and the next 20 years [Invited]

Research on space-division multiplexing (SDM) came to prominence in early 2010 being primarily proposed as a means of multiplying the information-carrying capacity of optical fibers at the same time as increasing efficiency through resource sharing. Proposed SDM transmission systems range from parallel single-mode fibers with shared amplifier pump lasers to the full spatial integration of transceiver hardware, signal processing, and amplification around a fiber with over 100 spatial channels comprising multiple cores each carrying multiple modes. In this paper, we review progress in SDM research. We first outline the main classifications and features of novel SDM fibers such as multicore fibers (MCFs), multimode fibers, few-mode MCFs, and coupled-core MCFs. We review research achievements of each fiber type before discussing digital-signal processing, amplifier technology, and milestones of transmission and networking demonstrations. Finally, we draw comparisons between fiber types before discussing the current trends and speculate on future developments and applications beyond optical data transmission.

Space-division multiplexing for optical fiber communications

Survey of resource allocation schemes and algorithms in spectrally-spatially flexible optical networking

In this paper, we focus on the static routing, spectrum, and core assignment (RSCA) problem in spacedivision multiplexing (SDM)-based elastic optical networks (EONs) with multi-core fiber (MCF). In RSCA problems, it is a challenging task to control the inter-core interference, called inter-core crosstalk (XT), within an acceptable level and simultaneously maximize the spectrum utilization. We first consider XT in a worst interference scenario (i.e., XTunaware), which can simplify the RSCA problem. In this scenario, we formulate the RSCA problem using a nodearc- based integer linear programming (ILP) method in which the numbers of both variables and constraints are greatly reduced compared with previous ILP methods, thereby leading to a significant improvement in convergence efficiency. Then, we consider the XT strictly (i.e., XT-aware) and formulate the problem using a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) method, which is an extension of the above node-arc-based ILP method. It is more suitable for different XT thresholds and/or geographically large networks, in that it has a higher degree of generalizability. Finally, we propose an XT-aware-based heuristic algorithm. The simulation results demonstrate that our heuristic algorithm achieves higher spectrum efficiency, higher degree of generalizability, and higher computational efficiency than the existing heuristic algorithm(s).

Routing, spectrum, and core assignment in SDM-EONS with MCF: node-arc ILP/MILP methods and an efficient XT-aware heuristic algorithm

Existing for almost four decades, liquid crystal on Silicon (LCOS) technology is rapidly growing into photonic applications. We review the basics of the technology, from the wafer to the driving solutions, the progress over the last decade and the future outlook. Furthermore we review the most exciting industrial and scientific applications of the LCOS technology.

Beyond the display: phase-only liquid crystal on Silicon devices and their applications in photonics [Invited].

As traffic volumes carried by optical networks continue to grow by tens of percent year over year, we are rapidly approaching the capacity limit of the conventional communication band within a single-mode fiber. New measures such as elastic optical networking, spectral extension to multi-bands, and spatial expansion to additional fiber overlays or new fiber types are all being considered as potential solutions, whether near term or far. In this tutorial paper, we survey the photonic switching hardware solutions in support of evolving optical networking solutions enabling capacity expansion based on the proposed approaches. We also suggest how reconfigurable add/drop multiplexing nodes will evolve under these scenarios and gauge their properties and relative cost scalings. We identify that the switching technologies continue to evolve and offer network operators the required flexibility in routing information channels in both the spectral and spatial domains. New wavelength-selective switch designs can now support greater resolution, increased functionality and packing density, as well as operation with multiple input and output ports. Various switching constraints can be applied, such as routing of complete spatial superchannels, in an effort to reduce the network cost and simplify the routing protocols and managed pathway count. However, such constraints also reduce the transport efficiency when the network is only partially loaded, and may incur fragmentation. System tradeoffs between switching granularity and implementation complexity and cost will have to be carefully considered for future high-capacity SDM–WDM optical networks. In this work, we present the first cost comparisons, to our knowledge, of the different approaches in an effort to quantify such tradeoffs.

Liangjia Zong

Papers

Survey of Photonic Switching Architectures and Technologies In Support Of Spatially and Spectrally Flexible Optical Networking {[}Invited]