Transmission of Single-Channel 16-QAM Data Signals at Terabaud Symbol Rates

Abstract

We present latest results for OTDM transmission systems in combination with digital coherent detection achieving record-high serial data rates in a single-wavelength channel. We show serial data transmission of 5.1 Tb/s (640 GBd) over 80-km and 10.2 Tb/s (1.28 TBd) over 29-km dispersion managed fiber (DMF). For 5.1-Tb/s transmission over 80-km DMF, the BER of all 128 OTDM-tributaries (both polarizations) is found to be below the hard-decision FEC-threshold, corresponding to an error-free net data rate of 4.8 Tb/s. In a 10.2-Tb/s experiment, the BER of all 256 TDM-tributaries (both polarizations) is found to be below the FEC-threshold in the back-to-back configuration. This translates to an error-free net data rate of 9.5 Tb/s. After transmission over a 29-km DMF negligible pulse broadening and a BER below the FEC limit is found.