Demonstration of a 15-Mode Network Node Supported by a Field-Deployed 15-Mode Fiber

This paper extends a recent demonstration of a 2-line side 15-mode spatial division multiplexing network node. The node is based on fifteen 2 x 2 wavelength cross-connects (WXCs) to direct up to six 5 Tb/s, 15-mode, spatial super channels (SSCs). For this demonstration, we consider full add and drop, full express and partial add and drop network scenarios. The WXCs were made using three commercial 4 x 16 wavelength cross-connects, which were reprogrammed to each implement five identical 2 x 2 WXCs. The network node is demonstrated using a 6.1 km, 15-mode, multi-mode fiber (MMF) with a standard cladding diameter of 125 mu m. This is the first field-deployed MMF and is installed in an underground tunnel in the city of L'Aquila, Italy. We further extend the network node to support up to 20 SSCs for a throughput per line side of 100 Tb/s. It is shown that the MIMO requirements for this type of systems is strongly dependent on the differential delays of the different modes propagating within the network node.

Automated summary

This paper extends a recent demonstration of a 2-line side 15-mode spatial division multiplexing network node. The node uses fifteen 2 x 2 wavelength cross-connects (WXCs) to direct up to six 5 Tb/s, 15-mode, spatial super channels (SSCs). The network node is demonstrated using a 6.1 km, 15-mode, multi-mode fiber (MMF) and further extended to support up to 20 SSCs for a throughput per line side of 100 Tb/s. MIMO requirements for this type of systems are strongly dependent on the differential delays of the different modes propagating within the network node.