Signal distortion and noise in AM-SCM transmission systems employing the feedforward linearized MQW-EA external modulator

In subcarrier multiplexing (SCM) optical video distribution systems, the nonlinear signal distortion generated by the combined action of laser chirp and fiber dispersion limits the transmission distance. This paper for the first time shows that low-chirp MQW (multiquantum well)-EA (electroabsorption) external modulators are applicable to AM-SCM transmission systems. The feedforward linearization technique is used to compensate the signal distortion due to the nonlinearity in the modulator´s L-V (light power versus voltage) characteristic. The effectiveness of this type of modulator for suppressing dispersion-induced distortion is clarified experimentally. A feedforward linearized transmitter with composite second order (CSO) intermodulation distortion <-62 dBc, composite triple beat (CTB) intermodulation distortion <-59 dBc and a carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR) >50.5 dB is successfully constructed. It is shown that the transmitter can achieve a CSO <-59 dBc, a CTB <-57 dBc and a CNR >49.5 dB for a 32 channel AM signal and 10 km transmission. Furthermore, estimations of the signal distortion cancellation and the noise characteristic achieved with feedforward circuit modeling are shown. The results obtained here emphasize that MQW-EA external modulators are applicable to AM-SCM transmission systems