Optical communications

Chapter 8
Pham Quang Thai
Pqthai.hcmut@gmail.com

Principles
Modulation schemes
Demodulation schemes
System performance

Noncoherent

Coherent

Only use intensity

Use intensity, phase and

frequency

Lower detector sensitivity

Higher detector sensitivity

Higher noise

Lower noise

Lower bit rate

Higher bit rate

Simple

Complex

Cheap

Expensive

General coherent detector

Received optical signal: Es = As
exp[-j( 0t + s)]

Local oscillator: ELO = ALO exp[-j( LOt

+ LO)]

Received power at the photodetectors

P(t) = K |Es + ELO|2,
= Ps + PLO + 2(PsPLO)1/2cos( IFt + s - LO)

 IF = 0 -> Homodyne Detection

LO frequency = signal frequency
The photocurrent:
I(t) = R(Ps + PLO) + 2R(PsPLO)1/2cos( s
LO)

DC component can be filter

AC component
s = LO: amplitude modulation
s LO: phase modulation
s - LO :linearly change: frequency
modulation
5

 IF = 0 -> Homodyne Detection

Max photocurrent:
I(t) = 2R(PsPLO)1/2

Max photocurrent in direct

detection:
I(t) = RPs

However, homodyne detection

requires:
Optical phase lock loop
Same frequency of signal and LO
6

 IF 0 -> Heterodyne Detection

The photocurrent:
I(t) = R(Ps + PLO) + 2R(PsPLO )
1/2cos( IFt + s LO)

DC component can be filter

AC component
s = LO: amplitude modulation
s LO: phase modulation
s - LO :linearly change: frequency
modulation
7

 IF 0 -> Heterodyne Detection

Max photocurrent:
I(t) = 2R(PsPLO)1/2 cos( IFt)

Max photocurrent in direct detection:

I(t) = RPs

No optical phase lock loop

However
SNR reduced by 3dB in comparison with
homodyne detection
Need to down convert form IF to baseband
after detection
8

Principles
Modulation schemes
Demodulation schemes
System performance

Amplitude
shift keying
(ASK)

10

Phase Shift Keying (PSK)

11

Frequency shift keying

Phase modulation with saw-tooth
signal

Use frequency chirped in direct

modulation, laser frequency changes
with bias current (~1GHz/mA)

12

Principles
Modulation schemes
Demodulation schemes
System performance

13

Heterodyne Synchronous
Demodulation

14

Heterodyne Asynchronous
Demodulation

15

Principles
Modulation schemes
Demodulation schemes
System performance

16

BER in Synchronous Receivers

Sensitivity of Synchronous Coherent
Receivers.

Modulation
Bit-Error Rate
Format
(BER)
ASK heterodyne (1/2)erfc(Np/4)1/2

Np

Np

72

36

ASK homodyne

(1/2)erfc(Np/2)1/2

36

18

PSK heterodyne

(1/2) erfc(Np)1/2

18

18

PSK homodyne

(1/2)erfc(2Np)1/2

FSK heterodyne (1/2)erfc(Np/2)1/2

36

36

Direct Detection

20

10

(1/2) exp(-Np)

Np: photon/bit
Np:average photon/bit
: quantum efficiency of

BER in Asynchronous Receivers

Sensitivity of Asynchronous Receivers

Modulation
Format

Bit-Error Rate
(BER)

Np

Np

ASK heterodyne

(1/2) exp(-Np/4)

80

40

FSK heterodyne

(1/2) exp(-Np/2)

40

40

DPSK heterodyne

(1/2) exp(-Np)

20

20

Direct Detection

(1/2) exp(-Np)

20

10

Np: photon/bit
Np:average photon/bit
: quantum efficiency of

18