Nokia Develops Real-Time Coherent Receiver for 40 Gbit/s Optical Signals
Nokia Bell Labs has demonstrated a real-time FPGA-based intradyne coherent receiver capable of processing 40 Gbit/s polarization-multiplexed 16-QAM signals with 100% data processing.
Espoo, Finland – Nokia Oyj's research arm, Nokia Bell Labs, announced the development of a real-time intradyne coherent receiver utilizing Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). This receiver is designed to process 40 gigabit per second (Gbit/s) polarization-multiplexed 16-Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (16-QAM) signals, achieving a minimum Bit Error Rate (BER) of 3.3×10-5.
The technology enables the receiver to handle 100% of the data stream in real-time. This capability is crucial for advancing optical communication systems, allowing for higher data transmission rates and improved signal integrity in long-haul and high-capacity networks. The use of FPGAs offers flexibility and processing power necessary for complex modulation schemes like 16-QAM.
This development addresses the increasing demand for bandwidth in telecommunication networks, driven by services such as video streaming, cloud computing, and mobile data. By enhancing the efficiency and performance of optical receivers, Nokia aims to support the evolution of next-generation communication infrastructure. The research was detailed in a publication in March 2011, highlighting early advancements in advanced optical signal processing.