Performance Evaluation of WDM Channel Transmission for Probabilistic Shaping With Partial Multilevel Coding

We propose partial multilevel coding (MLC) for optical communications with probabilistic shaping (PS), which improves the signal-to-noise ratio performance and makes information rates more adaptable, while reducing the power consumed by forward error correction. We designed simulation models of partial-MLC and bit-interleaved coded modulation (BICM) implementing the same low-density parity-check code to have almost the same transmission performance in an additive white Gaussian noise channel. The estimated power consumption of the partial-MLC model was about 38 similar to 39% lower than that of the BICM model. Next, we evaluated the effect of nonlinearity on fiber wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) channels in numerical simulations. The results showed that both models behaved similarly regardless of nonlinear noise, illustrating the usefulness of MLC with PS for optical transmissions on WDM channels.

Automated summary

Partial multilevel coding (MLC) with probabilistic shaping (PS) in optical communications improves signal-to-noise ratio performance, adaptability of information rates, and reduces the power consumed by forward error correction. Simulation results show that partial-MLC model has almost the same transmission performance as bit-interleaved coded modulation (BICM) model but with lower power consumption. Nonlinear effects on fiber wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) channels were evaluated, demonstrating the usefulness of MLC with PS for optical transmissions on WDM channels regardless of nonlinear noise.