Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying a pair of nodes of a plurality of nodes of a virtual optical network (VON); identifying i) an optical route between the pair of nodes and ii) a desired availability of the optical route; determining a probability density function (PDF) of a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a signal of the optical route; determining a SNR threshold such that an integration of the PDF of the SNR of the signal above the SNR threshold corresponds to the desired availability of the optical route; determining a plurality of spectral efficiencies that corresponds to the SNR threshold, each spectral efficiency of the plurality of spectral efficiencies associated with a respective modulation format of a plurality of modulation formats; and identifying a particular modulation format of the plurality of modulation formats that corresponds to a maximum spectral efficiency of the plurality of spectral efficiencies.

Abstract: A method for VON service with guaranteed availability may use probability density functions (PDF) of Q-factor to determine availability of physical links assigned to a virtual link in the VON. Then, a VON mapping may be performed based on the determined availabilities, among other factors.

Abstract: A method for VON service with guaranteed availability may use probability density functions (PDF) of Q-factor to determine availability of physical links assigned to a virtual link in the VON. Then, a VON mapping may be performed based on the determined availabilities, among other factors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying a pair of nodes of a plurality of nodes of a virtual optical network (VON); identifying i) an optical route between the pair of nodes and ii) a desired availability of the optical route; determining a probability density function (PDF) of a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a signal of the optical route; determining a SNR threshold such that an integration of the PDF of the SNR of the signal above the SNR threshold corresponds to the desired availability of the optical route; determining a plurality of spectral efficiencies that corresponds to the SNR threshold, each spectral efficiency of the plurality of spectral efficiencies associated with a respective modulation format of a plurality of modulation formats; and identifying a particular modulation format of the plurality of modulation formats that corresponds to a maximum spectral efficiency of the plurality of spectral efficiencies.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reach extension of multi-carrier channels using unequal subcarrier spacing may decrease FWM by grouping the subcarriers into groups of 2 subcarriers, and apply a secondary, unequal spacing between the groups. In this manner, nonlinear interactions may be reduced and the transmission reach of a multi-carrier channel may be extended.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reach extension of multi-carrier channels using unequal subcarrier spacing may decrease FWM by grouping the subcarriers into groups of 2 subcarriers, and apply a secondary, unequal spacing between the groups. In this manner, nonlinear interactions may be reduced and the transmission reach of a multi-carrier channel may be extended.

Abstract: Carrier suppression (CS-M-PAM) may be applied to M-PAM modulated optical signals to improve transmission reach. Additional rescaling of CS-M-PAM, referred to as adaptive CS-M-PAM, may further improve transmission reach by reducing low level symbol interference.

Abstract: A method and system for multi-channel optical XPM compensation may include a DCM to improve performance of a feed-forward control loop in an optical path in an optical network. Additionally, various spectral overlap schemes may be used with multi-channel WDM optical signals using XPM compensators in parallel, such as at a ROADM node. Polarization diversity may also be supported for XPM compensation including a DCM.

Abstract: A method and system for selective and per-node XPM compensation may separate wavelengths into short traveling wavelengths (STW) and long traveling wavelengths (LTW) based on transmission distance over their respective optical paths. XPM compensation at ROADM nodes may be selectively performed for the LTW, while the STW may be passed through without XPM compensation, among other functionality at the ROADM nodes.

Abstract: A method and system for selective and per-node XPM compensation may separate wavelengths into short traveling wavelengths (STW) and long traveling wavelengths (LTW) based on transmission distance over their respective optical paths. XPM compensation at ROADM nodes may be selectively performed for the LTW, while the STW may be passed through without XPM compensation, among other functionality at the ROADM nodes.

Abstract: A method and system for multi-channel optical XPM compensation may include a DCM to improve performance of a feed-forward control loop in an optical path in an optical network. Additionally, various spectral overlap schemes may be used with multi-channel WDM optical signals using XPM compensators in parallel, such as at a ROADM node. Polarization diversity may also be supported for XPM compensation including a DCM.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing the transmission of superchannels with different modulation formats may include pre-calculating different guardband (GB) values between superchannels and sets of power values for subcarriers to implement subcarrier power pre-emphasis (SPP). When a request for an optical path is received at a network management system, the spectral allocation of each superchannel, including a GB, is determined according to pre-specified rules based on co-propagation of the superchannels with different modulation formats.

Abstract: Methods and systems may estimate nonlinear penalties for optical paths using spectral inversion in optical transport networks. Certain values of nonlinear transfer functions for nonlinear penalty estimation may be pre-calculated for optical paths between given nodes. When an optical path computation for using spectral inversion between a given source node and a given destination node is desired, the pre-calculated values may be concatenated for improved computational efficiency.

Abstract: Methods and systems may mitigate nonlinear noise (NLN) penalties for optical paths using spectral inversion in optical transport networks. Using a tunable dispersion compensator with an optical amplifier at each span in an optical path, the dispersion along the optical path may be modified to a normalized dispersion for each span. In this manner, the dispersion associated with NLN accumulation may be balanced by NLN compensation to reduce overall NLN levels for the optical path.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing the transmission of superchannels with different modulation formats may include pre-calculating different guardband (GB) values between superchannels and sets of power values for subcarriers to implement subcarrier power pre-emphasis (SPP). When a request for an optical path is received at a network management system, the spectral allocation of each superchannel, including a GB, is determined according to pre-specified rules based on co-propagation of the superchannels with different modulation formats.

Abstract: Methods and systems for superchannel power pre-emphasis may adjust power levels of selected subcarriers of the superchannel. The power pre-emphasis may be performed at a transmission stage using a laser source, a variable optical attenuator, or a wavelength selective switch. The power pre-emphasis may be performed in-line at a reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer node. The power pre-emphasis may be performed using feedback control based on a receiver output. The power pre-emphasis may be performed using feedforward control based on optical path computations.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transmitting superchannels with mixed baud rate subcarriers include modifying baud rates for certain subcarriers in order to improve or equalize optical signal-to-noise ratio penalties incurred during transmission. Additionally frequency shifts may be applied to individual subcarriers. The baud rate modification and frequency shifts may be symmetrical for spectral positions of subcarriers within the superchannel.

Abstract: Methods and systems for superchannel subcarrier monitoring using amplitude modulated (AM) tones include modulating an optical subcarrier of a superchannel with a first frequency that is chosen to be substantially smaller than a baud rate for data modulated onto the optical subcarrier. Certain pairs of subcarriers in the superchannel may be modulated with AM tones having a common frequency with complementary phase for power equalization. Then, downstream detection and monitoring of the optical subcarrier may be performed based on demodulation of the first frequency. Each optical subcarrier in the superchannel may be modulated using a respectively unique combination of AM tone and phase.

Abstract: Methods and systems for superchannel subcarrier monitoring using frequency modulated (FM) tones includes frequency modulating an optical subcarrier of a superchannel with a first frequency that is unique to the optical subcarrier and is chosen to be smaller than an optical transmission frequency for carrier data modulated onto the optical subcarrier. Then, downstream detection and monitoring of the optical subcarrier may be performed based on demodulation of the first frequency. Each optical subcarrier in the superchannel may be modulated using a respectively unique FM tone.

Abstract: Methods and systems for constellation shaping of modulation formats in optical communication systems may involve enabling an optical transport network to activate/deactivate constellation shaping on a per channel basis for a given optical path using universal programmable transceivers. Then, constellation shaping may be activated to increase the reach of optical channels by improving signal-to-noise ratio over the optical path.