Gigabit Ethernet transmission over polymer optical fiber

Step-index polymer optical fibers are used as a robust and low-cost transmission medium in automotive infotainment networks, as well as in industrial automation and home networks. While today´s systems are operating with data rates of up to 150 Mb/s, the introduction of multiple cameras and displays in cars pushes the requirements to even higher rates. In this manuscript, the feasibility of Gigabit Ethernet transmission over step-index polymer optical fibers is studied. The analysis is based on information theory and realistic system parameters and shows that optical power budgets of more than 20 dBo are feasible with the introduction of digital modulation schemes such as 4-ary pulse amplitude modulation in combination with electronic equalization and forward error correction. This will allow a future upgrade by adding a silicon chip to the transceivers and without changing the optical components involved.