Low DSP complexity mid-haul mode-division multiplexing links utilizing wideband modal dispersion compensated two-mode fibers

Abstract Mode-division multiplexing (MDM) over wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) networks is studied, particularly for the deployment of metro area networks (MAN) using two-mode fibers (TMF). Full C-band differential mode group delay (DMGD)-compensated TMF links are adopted for decreasing the computational complexity of real-time multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) signal processing. The effect of modal crosstalk to the maximum delay spread of the channel is validated through numerical simulations. Finally, the 2×2 MIMO channel state information (CSI) of a 102.6-km DMGD-compensated TMF link is experimentally estimated for mode path provisioning based upon routing and mode assignment (RMA) in MDM networks. The results confirm close-to-zero total DMGD value over the entire C-band.