Norbert Hanik

Bio: Norbert Hanik is an academic researcher from Technische Universität München. The author has contributed to research in topics: Transmission (telecommunications) & Wavelength-division multiplexing. The author has an hindex of 28, co-authored 145 publications receiving 2699 citations. Previous affiliations of Norbert Hanik include Deutsche Telekom & Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.

Modeling nonlinear phase noise in differentially phase-modulated optical communication systems

Abstract: Using an alternative approach for evaluating the Bit-Error Rate (BER), we present a numerical and experimental investigation of the performance of phase-modulated optical communication systems in the presence of nonlinear phase noise and dispersion. The numerical method is based on the well known Karhunen-Lo;eve expansion combined with a linearization technique of the Nonlinear Schr odinger Equation (NLSE) to account for the nonlinear interaction between signal and noise. Our numerical results show a good agreement with experiments.

On Achievable Rates for Long-Haul Fiber-Optic Communications

Abstract: Lower bounds on mutual information (MI) of long-haul optical fiber systems for hard-decision and soft-decision decoding are studied. Ready-to-use expressions to calculate the MI are presented. Extensive numerical simulations are used to quantify how changes in the optical transmitter, receiver, and channel affect the achievable transmission rates of the system. Special emphasis is put to the use of different quadrature amplitude modulation formats, channel spacings, digital back-propagation schemes and probabilistic shaping. The advantages of using MI over the prevailing $Q$-factor as a figure of merit of coded optical systems are also highlighted.

Mutual Information as a Figure of Merit for Optical Fiber Systems

Abstract: Advanced channel decoders rely on soft-decision decoder inputs for which mutual information (MI) is the natural figure of merit. In this paper, we analyze an optical fiber system by evaluating MI as the maximum achievable rate of transmission of such a system. MI is estimated by means of histograms for which the correct bin number is determined in a blind way. The MI estimate obtained this way shows excellent accuracy in comparison with the true MI of 16-state quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) over an additive white Gaussian noise channel with additional phase noise, which is a simplified model of a nonlinear optical fiber channel. We thereby justify to use the MI estimation method to accurately estimate the MI of an optical fiber system. In the second part of this work, a transoceanic fiber system with 6000 km of standard single-mode fiber is simulated and its MI determined. Among rectangular QAMs, 16-QAM is found to be the optimal modulation scheme for this link as to performance in terms of MI and requirements on components and digital signal processing. For the reported MI of 3.1 bits/symbol, a minimum coding overhead of 29% is required when the channel memory is not taken into account. By employing ideal single-channel digital back-propagation, an increase in MI by 0.25 bits/symbol and 0.28 bits/symbol is reported for 16-QAM and 64-QAM, respectively, lowering the required overhead to 19% and 16%. When the channel spacing is decreased to be close to the Nyquist rate, the dual-polarization spectral efficiency is 5.7 bits/s/Hz, an increase of more than 2 bits/symbol compared to a 50 GHz spacing.

Wiener Filter for Short-Reach Fiber-Optic Links

Abstract: Analytic expressions are derived for the Wiener filter (WF), also known as the linear minimum mean square error (LMMSE) estimator, for an intensity-modulation/direct-detection (IM/DD) short-haul fiber-optic communication system. The link is purely dispersive and the nonlinear square-law detector (SLD) operates at the thermal noise limit. The achievable rates of geometrically shaped PAM constellations are substantially increased by taking the SLD into account as compared to a WF that ignores the SLD.

Improved achievable information rates by optimized four-dimensional demappers in optical transmission experiments

Abstract: We experimentally study different four-dimensional demappers in a dispersion-managed fiber system. The proposed blind algorithm is shown to offer gains of 0.2 bits per 4D symbol for DP-16QAM.

Space-division multiplexing in optical fibres

Abstract: This Review summarizes the simultaneous transmission of several independent spatial channels of light along optical fibres to expand the data-carrying capacity of optical communications. Recent results achieved in both multicore and multimode optical fibres are documented.

OFDM for Optical Communications

Abstract: Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is a modulation technique which is now used in most new and emerging broadband wired and wireless communication systems because it is an effective solution to intersymbol interference caused by a dispersive channel. Very recently a number of researchers have shown that OFDM is also a promising technology for optical communications. This paper gives a tutorial overview of OFDM highlighting the aspects that are likely to be important in optical applications. To achieve good performance in optical systems OFDM must be adapted in various ways. The constraints imposed by single mode optical fiber, multimode optical fiber and optical wireless are discussed and the new forms of optical OFDM which have been developed are outlined. The main drawbacks of OFDM are its high peak to average power ratio and its sensitivity to phase noise and frequency offset. The impairments that these cause are described and their implications for optical systems discussed.

Optical phase-shift-keyed transmission

Abstract: Differential-phase-shift keying (DPSK) has recently been used to reach record distances in long-haul lightwave communication systems. This paper will review theoretical, as well as implementation, aspects of DPSK, and discuss experimental results.

Comparison of Asymmetrically Clipped Optical OFDM and DC-Biased Optical OFDM in AWGN

Abstract: We present theoretical and simulation results for the performance of asymmetrically-clipped optical OFDM (ACO-OFDM) and DC-biased optical OFDM (DCO-OFDM) in AWGN for intensity-modulated direct-detection systems. Constellations from 4 QAM to 1024 QAM are considered. For DCO-OFDM, the optimum bias depends on the constellation size which limits its performance in adaptive systems. ACO-OFDM requires less optical power for a given data rate than DCO-OFDM for all but the largest constellations and is better suited to adaptive systems as the same structure is optimum for all constellations.

Space-division multiplexing: the next frontier in optical communication

Abstract: Space-division multiplexing (SDM) uses multiplicity of space channels to increase capacity for optical communication. It is applicable for optical communication in both free space and guided waves. This paper focuses on SDM for fiber-optic communication using few-mode fibers or multimode fibers, in particular on the critical challenge of mode crosstalk. Multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) equalization methods developed for wireless communication can be applied as an electronic method to equalize mode crosstalk. Optical approaches, including differential modal group delay management, strong mode coupling, and multicore fibers, are necessary to bring the computational complexity for MIMO mode crosstalk equalization to practical levels. Progress in passive devices, such as (de)multiplexers, and active devices, such as amplifiers and switches, which are considered straightforward challenges in comparison with mode crosstalk, are reviewed. Finally, we present the prospects for SDM in optical transmission and networking.