FM and FSK response of tunable two-electrode DFB lasers and their performance with noncoherent detection

Two-electrode distributed-feedback (DFB) lasers show promise for combining high speed and frequency tunability for frequency-division-multiplexed-frequency-shift-keyed (FDM-FSK) networks. The FM and FSK responses of such lasers have been measured up to modulation frequencies of approximately 1 GHz. Using these lasers in a noncoherent detection system in which a fiber Fabry-Perot tunable optical filter converts an FSK signal into an amplitude-shift-keyed (ASK) format, a 10/sup -9/ BER was observed up to 1 Gb/s. Nonuniform FM response and consequent tone broadening of the optical FSK spectra can lead to system power penalties due to optical-filtering effects. Thus, for a given FM response, the behavior of these lasers in FSK optical systems can be projected.<>