Experimental results on suboptimal filtering for optical digital pulse-position modulation

Original practical and theoretical results ( lambda =1.523 mu m) are presented for both optimal and suboptimal detection of digital PPM. When operating with 16 slots of 20 ns duration, the sensitivity was measured to be -46.6 dBm for optimal detection, and -45.9 dBm for suboptimal detection. It is concluded that suboptimal filtering significantly reduces receiver complexity, and results in a degradation in sensitivity of only 0.7 dB.