Abstract: An optical transmitter (102,200) is operable to generate an optical signal (260) by modulating a number N of frequency divisional multiplexing (FDM) subcarriers using transformed digital signals which are determined by applying a pseudo FDM (pFDM) transformation to preliminary digital signals representative of multi-bit symbols. Rather than experiencing the effects of the number N of FDM channels, the optical signal experiences the effects of a different number M of pFDM channels, where M?N. In some examples, the number M of pFDM channels is less than the number N of FDM channels, and frequency-dependent degradations may be averaged across different symbol streams. In other examples, the number M of pFDM channels is greater than the number N of FDM channels, and different symbol streams may experience different frequency-dependent degradations. An optical receiver (102,300) is operable to apply an inverse pFDM transformation to recover estimates of the multi-bit symbols.

Abstract: An optical transmitter (102,200) is operable to generate an optical signal (260) by modulating a number N of frequency divisional multiplexing (FDM) subcarriers using transformed digital signals which are determined by applying a pseudo FDM (pFDM) transformation to preliminary digital signals representative of multi-bit symbols. Rather than experiencing the effects of the number N of FDM channels, the optical signal experiences the effects of a different number M of pFDM channels, where M?N. In some examples, the number M of pFDM channels is less than the number N of FDM channels, and frequency-dependent degradations may be averaged across different symbol streams. In other examples, the number M of pFDM channels is greater than the number N of FDM channels, and different symbol streams may experience different frequency-dependent degradations. An optical receiver (102,300) is operable to apply an inverse pFDM transformation to recover estimates of the multi-bit symbols.

Abstract: A transmitter (102,200) applies a dimensional transformation to preliminary digital drive signals representing symbols, thereby generating transformed digital drive signals (704) designed to represent each symbol using a plurality of first dimensions of an optical carrier (242), the first dimensions distributed over two or more timeslots. The preliminary digital drive signals are designed to represent each symbol using a plurality of second dimensions of the carrier, which differ from the first dimensions. Using the transformed signals, the transmitter generates (706) an optical signal (260). A receiver (102,300) receives (802) an optical signal (360) and determines received digital signals (804) corresponding to the first dimensions. The receiver applies an inverse dimensional transformation to the received digital signals to generate preliminary digital drive signal estimates (806) corresponding to the second dimensions, thereby permitting estimation of the symbols (808).

Abstract: A processor of an apparatus is configured to apply one or more control algorithms using estimated data to adjust the one or more control parameters of a section of an optical fiber network. The estimated data are derived from measurements of optical signals in the section and from knowledge of the section. The estimated data is a function of optical nonlinearity and of amplified spontaneous emission.

Abstract: A transmitter of a communications system includes a first encoder configured to apply a shaping operation to a data signal to generate a shaped data signal, a second encoder configured to encode the shaped data signal according to a forward error correction (FEC) scheme to generate an encoded signal, and a constellation mapper configured to modulate the encoded signal to symbol values according to a modulation scheme to generate a corresponding symbol stream for transmission through the communications system. The shaping operation reduces average constellation energy for constellations of the modulation scheme.

Abstract: A super-frame for transmission in an optical communications system comprises two or more data frames and a parity frame. All frames in the super-frame have been encoded in accordance with a first Forward Error Correction (FEC) scheme. The parity frame is computed over the two or more data frames (prior to or concurrently with or after encoding via the first FEC scheme) according to a second FEC scheme. At a receiver, the super-frame is decoded in accordance with the first FEC scheme to generate a set of FEC decoded frames in which residual errors are clustered, that is, are non-Poisson. The second FEC scheme, which is particularly suited or designed to correct the clustered non-Poisson residual errors, is used to correct the residual errors.

Abstract: Compression coding may be used with forward error correction (FEC) coding to provide higher information rates by reducing the proportion of redundant bits relative to information bits that are transmitted from a transmitter to a receiver. In one example, first determiners and second determiners are calculated from a set of information bits, where each first determiner is calculated from a different first subset of the information bits along a first dimension, and each second determiner is calculated from a different second subset of the information bits along a second dimension that differs from the first dimension. First and second nubs are calculated from the first and second determiners, respectively, each nub comprising a number of redundant bits that is less than the number of bits in the determiners from which the nub is calculated. The information bits and the nubs are transmitted over one or more communications channels.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is implemented in one of a Network Management System (NMS), an Element Management System (EMS), a Software Defined Networking (SDN) controller, and a server executing an SDN application, to increase capacity of one or more links in an optical network. The computer-implemented method includes determining Net System Margin comprising a metric of overall excess margin in the optical network until a Forward Error Correction (FEC) limit is reached; performing an optimization of a plurality of parameters of the optical network to determine which settings are appropriate in the optical network to provide the increased capacity and to consume at least part of the Net System Margin; and causing a plurality of modems in the optical network to change settings based on the optimization to provide the increased capacity.

Abstract: In data communications, a suitably designed contrast coding scheme, comprising a process of contrast encoding (108) at a transmitter end (101) and a process of contrast decoding (120) at a receiver end (103), may be used to create contrast between the bit error rates ‘BERs’ experienced by different classes of bits. Contrast coding may be used to tune the BERs experienced by different subsets of bits, relative to each other, to better match a plurality of forward error correction ‘FEC’ schemes (104, 124) used for transmission of information bits (102), which may ultimately provide a communications system (100) having a higher noise tolerance, or greater data capacity, or smaller size, or lower heat.

Abstract: Compression coding techniques are proposed for use with forward error correction (FEC) coding, which may provide higher information rates by reducing the proportion of redundant bits relative to information bits that are transmitted from a transmitter to a receiver. In one example, the transmitter calculates a plurality of determiners from a set of information bits, where each determiner is calculated as a first function of a respective first subset of the information bits. The transmitter then calculates a nub as a second function of the plurality of determiners, where the nub comprises a number of redundant bits that is less than a number of bits comprised in the plurality of determiners. The set of information bits is transmitted to the receiver in a first manner, and the nub is transmitted to the receiver in a second manner, where the first manner may be distinct from the second manner.

Abstract: A digital instruction is generated regarding one or more electrical-to-optical conversion impairments induced at the transmitter of an optical communication system. The digital instruction may be used by the transmitter to reduce the impairments. Alternatively, or additionally, the digital instruction may be used by the receiver of the optical communication system to compensate for the impairments.

Abstract: Generation of data streams for two dimensions comprises compensation for a nonideal response of a signal path in an optical communications signal. The data streams are converted to analog electrical signals which drive two dimensions of an electrical-to-optical converter. Output of the electrical-to-optical converter is coupled through an optical link to an optical-to-electrical converter.

Abstract: A processor of an apparatus is configured to apply one or more control algorithms using estimated data to adjust the one or more control parameters of a section of an optical fiber network. The estimated data are derived from measurements of optical signals in the section and from knowledge of the section. The estimated data is a function of optical nonlinearity and of amplified spontaneous emission.

Abstract: A transmitter of a communications system includes a first encoder configured to apply a shaping operation to a data signal to generate a shaped data signal, a second encoder configured to encode the shaped data signal according to a forward error correction (FEC) scheme to generate an encoded signal, and a constellation mapper configured to modulate the encoded signal to symbol values according to a modulation scheme to generate a corresponding symbol stream for transmission through the communications system. The shaping operation reduces average constellation energy for constellations of the modulation scheme.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is implemented in one of a Network Management System (NMS), an Element Management System (EMS), a Software Defined Networking (SDN) controller, and a server executing an SDN application, to increase capacity of one or more links in an optical network. The computer-implemented method includes determining Net System Margin comprising a metric of overall excess margin in the optical network until a Forward Error Correction (FEC) limit is reached; performing an optimization of a plurality of parameters of the optical network to determine which settings are appropriate in the optical network to provide the increased capacity and to consume at least part of the Net System Margin; and causing a plurality of modems in the optical network to change settings based on the optimization to provide the increased capacity.

Abstract: Client data bits, including first client data bits and second client data bits, are communicated from a transmitter to a receiver. At the transmitter, the first client data bits are processed to generate processed values, where each processed value is more likely to be a first element than a second element. Forward Error Correction ‘FEC’ encoding is applied to the second client data bits to generate FEC-encoded values. Symbols are created by mapping the FEC-encoded values to first positions in the symbols and by mapping the processed values to second positions in the symbols. The symbols are modulated onto a communications channel using a modulation scheme with a code that assigns a lower average energy to symbols containing the first elements in the second positions than to symbols containing the second elements in the second positions. At the receiver, client data bits are decoded using conditional chain decoding.

Abstract: Multiple receivers are comprised in a flexible coherent transceiver of a multi-span optical fiber network. Each of the multiple receivers is operative to handle communications on a respective channel. The multiple receivers measure optical characteristics. For each of the multiple receivers, the optical characteristics include optical nonlinear interactions on the respective channel, the optical nonlinear interactions being at least partially dependent from one span to another span. An optical power of a signal on each of the multiple channels is adjusted as a function of the optical characteristics.

Abstract: An optical transmitter is operable to generate an optical signal by modulating a number N of frequency divisional multiplexing (FDM) subcarriers using transformed digital signals which are determined by applying a pseudo FDM (pFDM) transformation to preliminary digital signals representative of multi-bit symbols. Rather than experiencing the effects of the number N of FDM channels, the optical signal experiences the effects of a different number M of pFDM channels, where M?N. In some examples, the number M of pFDM channels is less than the number N of FDM channels, and frequency-dependent degradations may be averaged across different symbol streams. In other examples, the number M of pFDM channels is greater than the number N of FDM channels, and different symbol streams may experience different frequency-dependent degradations. An optical receiver is operable to apply an inverse pFDM transformation in order to recover estimates of the multi-bit symbols.

Abstract: A method of data symbol recovery in a coherent receiver of an optical communications system includes processing data symbol estimates detected from a received optical signal, and determining recovered symbol values from the processed data symbol estimates. The recovered symbol values belong to a symbol constellation having a predetermined asymmetry. Processing the data symbol estimates compensates phase noise that is greater than one decision region of the symbol constellation. A coherent receiver of an optical communications system includes a module configured to process data symbol estimates detected from a received optical signal and a decision circuit configured to determine recovered symbol values from the processed data symbol estimates. The recovered symbol values belong to a symbol constellation having a predetermined asymmetry. Processing the data symbol estimates compensates phase noise that is greater than one decision region of the symbol constellation.

Abstract: A receiver may receive an optical signal over an optical communications channel established between the receiver and a transmitter, the received optical signal comprising a degraded version of a modulated optical signal generated at the transmitter. The receiver may determine received digital signals corresponding to a plurality of first dimensions of the received optical signal, wherein the first dimensions correspond to dimensions of an optical carrier modulated at the transmitter to represent a multi-bit symbol, and wherein the first dimensions are distributed over two or more timeslots. The receiver may determine preliminary digital drive signal estimates using an inverse dimensional transformation and the received digital signals, the preliminary digital drive signal estimates corresponding to a plurality of second dimensions. The receiver may determine an estimate of the multi-bit symbol using the preliminary digital drive signal estimates.