Work

Experimental End-to-End Optimization of Directly Modulated Laser-Based IM/DD Transmission

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Directly modulated lasers (DMLs) are an attractive technology for short-reach intensity modulation and direct detection communication systems. However, their complex nonlinear dynamics make the modeling and optimization of DML-based systems challenging. In this paper, we study the end-to-end optimization of DML-based systems based on a data-driven surrogate model trained on experimental data. The end-to-end optimization includes the pulse shaping and equalizer filters, the bias current and the modulation radio-frequency (RF) power applied to the laser. The performance of the end-to-end optimization scheme is tested on the experimental setup and compared to 4 different benchmark schemes based on linear and nonlinear receiver-side equalization. The results show that the proposed end-to-end scheme is able to deliver better performance throughout the studied symbol rates and transmission distances while employing lower modulation RF power, fewer filter taps and utilizing a smaller signal bandwidth.

Source: Journal of Lightwave Technology

DOI: 10.1109/jlt.2025.3647350

Authors: Sergio Hernandez, Christophe Peucheret, Francesco Da Ros, Darko Zibar

Institutions: Technical University of Denmark, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Fonctions Optiques pour les Technologies de l’information, Université de Rennes

Language: English

Topic: Optical Network Technologies

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: green

Funder: Villum Fonden