Gridless submarine optical networks

Submarine networks around the world are being upgraded in capacity through the use of coherent-based transmission technology, which is increasing existing channel rates from 10 Gb/s to 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s. Older submarine cables are hindered as to how many channels are supported due to the limited useable optical bandwidth of legacy submarine repeaters. This paper reviews how gridless networks can improve spectral efficiencies of existing submarine networks.