Experimental demonstration of outdoor 2.2 Tbps super-channel FSO transmission system

Abstract

Free space optic (FSO) is a wireless technology that promises high speed data rate with low deployment cost. Next generation wireless networks require more bandwidth which is not supported by todays wireless techniques. FSO can be a potential candidate for last mile bottle neck in wireless network and for many other applications. In this paper, we experimentally demonstrate a high speed FSO system using super-channel source and multi-format transmitter. The FSO system was installed outdoor on the building roof over 11.5 m distance and built using off-the-shelf components. We designed a comb source capable of generating multi-subcarriers with flexible spacing. Also we designed a multi-format transmitter capable of generating different complex modulation schemes. For single carrier transmission, we were able to transmit a 23 Gbaud 16-QAM signal over FSO link, achieving 320 Gbps with 6 b/s/Hz spectral efficiency. Then using our super-channel system, 12 equal gain subcarriers are generated and modulated by a DP-16QAM signal with different symbol rates. We achieved maximum symbol rate of 23 Gbaud (i.e. 2.2 Tbps) and spectral efficiency of 7.2 b/s/Hz. © 2016 IEEE.