Multidimensional Vector Quantization-Based Signal Constellation Design Enabling Beyond 1 Pb/s Serial Optical Transport Networks

In this paper, we propose a hybrid multidimensional coded-modulation (CM) scheme based on a new multidimensional signal constellation design as a solution to limited bandwidth and high energy consumption of information infrastructure. This multidimensional signal constellation, herewith called vector-quantization-based signal constellation design (VQ-SCD), is based on the vector quantization theory. The proposed scheme employs both the electrical basis functions (in the form of the prolate spheroidal wave functions) and the optical basis functions (in the form of polarization and spatial mode states) as optical basis functions. The proposed coded VQ-SCD scheme is the enabling technology for optical serial transport with bit rates exceeding 1000 Tb/s (1 Pb/s). In addition, the CM scheme we proposed allows for the adaptive, elastic, and dynamic allocation of the bandwidth. This fine granularity bandwidth manipulation is envisioned as a part of future software-defined optical networking.