Constellation Optimization for Coherent Optical Channels Distorted by Nonlinear Phase Noise

• We consider the design of amplitude phase-shift keying (APSK) constellations, targeting their application to coherent fiber-optical communications. Phase compensation is used at the receiver to combat nonlinear phase noise caused by the Kerr-effect. We derive the probability density function of the post- compensated observation for multilevel constellations. Optimal APSK constellations in terms of symbol error probability (SEP) are found assuming a two-stage detector. Performance gains of 3.2 dB can be achieved compared to 16-QAM at a SEP of 10^−2. We optimize the number of rings, the number of points per ring, as well as the radius distribution of the constellation. For low to moderate nonlinearities, radius optimization only yields minor improvements over an equidistant spacing of rings. In the highly nonlinear regime, however, a smaller SEP can be achieved by “sacrificing” the outer ring of the constellation, in favor of achieving good SEP in the remaining rings.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Elektroteknik och elektronik -- Telekommunikation (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering -- Telecommunications (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Elektroteknik och elektronik -- Kommunikationssystem (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering -- Communication Systems (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Elektroteknik och elektronik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering (hsv//eng)

Keyword

self-phase modulation

optical Kerr-effect

nonlinear phase noise

APSK constellation

Publication and Content Type

kon (subject category)

ref (subject category)