Bandwidth limitation of conventional electrical demultiplexer restricts the data capacity of long-haul optical time division multiplexing (OTDM) systems. It is desirable to demultiplex the OTDM signal in optical domain, thereby lifting the bandwidth limitation of the electrical demultiplexer. The general principle of all-optical time division demultiplexing is to effect asymmetric changes to the optical properties of the target and non-target channels. The different optical properties of the target and non-target channels facilitate the separation of the target channel(s) from the aggregate OTDM signal. The change of optical properties of the OTDM signal can be achieved by exploiting various types of nonlinear optics effects, such as cross-phase modulation and four-wave mixing. Although the technical viability of all-optical demultiplexing has been successfully demonstrated in laboratories, there is still a lack of understanding regarding the noise and crosstalk characteristics of all-optical demultiplexers. This PhD study attempts to investigate noise and crosstalk performance of two types of all-optical time division demultiplexers, namely nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM) and terahertz optical asymmetric demultiplexer (TOAD). In order to evaluate the noise and crosstalk performance of NOLM and TOAD demultiplexers, mathematical models are developed to simulate the transmission window for demultiplexing the target channel. The shape of the transmission window is dependent on the device parameters of the demultiplexers. Varying input parameters of the mathematical models can simulate the effects of changing device parameters on the transmission window. Nevertheless, it is onerous to calculate transmission windows for infinite combinations of device parameters. To simplify the noise and crosstalk analysis, device parameters of NOLM and TOAD demultiplexers are optimised for maximising the peak of the transmission windows. Noise and crosstalk models are also developed forNOLM and TOAD demultiplexers. The optimised device parameters of NOLM and TOAD demultiplexers are fed into the noise and crosstalk models for analysis. Simulation results show that a tradeoff between noise and crosstalk exists for the two types of demultiplexers. Device parameters can be optimised to minimise either noise or crosstalk, but not both. Finally, the noise and crosstalk models are connected to a receiver model, where the bit-error-rate (BER) performance of OTDM systems is evaluated. The BER performances of the NOLM and TOAD demultiplexing are compared using the optimised device parameters. It is found that TOAD has a slightly better BER performance compared with NOLM for lower baseband bit rate (i.e. a larger number of OTDM channels for an aggregate bit rate).

In this thesis, the work focuses on developing distributed optical fiber vibration sensors based on phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometry (Φ-OTDR). Three works have been accomplished to improve the performances of Φ-OTDR for distributed vibration sensing. Firstly, Φ-OTDR based on a polarization diversity scheme is demonstrated to mitigate the polarization mismatch effect occurring in traditional systems. A theoretical analysis is performed in different polarization cases corresponding to coherent and polarization diversity detection. Φ-OTDR based polarization diversity shows a great potential in the multi-events sensing application. Two vibration events are simultaneously detected and their signal to noise ratios are improved by 10.9 dB and 8.65 dB, respectively, compared to the results obtained by a conventional coherent scheme. Intensity fluctuation in a phase-sensitive optical-time domain reflectometry (Φ-OTDR) system caused by stochastic characteristics of Rayleigh backscattering has limited relative vibration strength measurement, which is proportional to dynamic strain. A trace-to-trace correlation coefficient is thus proposed to quantify the Φ-OTDR system stability and a novel approach of measuring the dynamic strain induced by various driving voltages of lead zicronate titanate (PZT) is demonstrated. Piezoelectric vibration signals are evaluated through analyzing peak values of the fast Fourier transform spectra at fundamental frequency and high-order harmonics based on Bessel functions. Experimental results show high correlation coefficients and good stability of our Φ-OTDR system, as well as the small measurement uncertainty of measured peak values. To reduce the intra-band noise caused by the finite extinction ratio of optical pulses, Φ-OTDR based on high extinction ratio generation is studied. Two methods are developed for achieving high extinction ratio of optical pulse generation. One of the approaches is to synchronize two cascaded electro-optic modulators to achieve high extinction ratio operation. The other one is to use the nonlinear optical fiber loop mirror as an optical switch to suppress the continuous wave portion of optical pulse. The sensing range of 1.8 km and 8.4 km with corresponding spatial resolution of 0.5 m and 2 m have been demonstrated based on cascaded two electro-optic modulators and nonlinear optical fiber loop mirror setup, respectively.

<p> An optical time division multiplexing (TDM) scheme using soliton interaction is proposed in the thesis to save the time-bandwidth prduct (TBP). The soliton multiplexer (MUX) consisting of a highly nonlinear fiber (HNLF) combines two adjacent solitons to form a composite soliton, while the soliton demultiplexer (DEMUX) consisting of a similar HNLF restores the component solitons. The case of interaction between identical fundamental solitons is discussed first. However, when this scheme is used in the conventional TDM system, the total bit rate transmitted over the channel is limited by the time interval between the two adjacent component solitons. Therefore, a modified multiplexing scheme using interaction between different solitons is proposed to satisfy more practical engineering applications. The theoretical analysis and numerical simulation results demonstrate that the modified optical TDM scheme offers a higher TBP efficiency and suitable for conventional TDM, which makes it an attractive candidate for meeting the challenge of increasing demand on frequency bandwidth in modern optical communications. </p> / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

As high bandwidth applications continue to emerge, investigation in technologies that will increase transmission capacity become necessary. Of these technologies, Optical Time Division Multiplexing (OTDM) has been presented as a possible solution, supporting a next generation bit rate of 160 Gbit/s. To perform the demultiplexing task, the use of tandem electro-absorption modulators (EAMs) has been widely studied, and due to its benefits was chosen as the topology of this thesis. To create an effective model of an OTDM system, the vector based mathematical simulation tool MatLab is used. Care was taken to create an accurate representation of an OTDM system, including: the development of a realistic pulse shape, the development of a true pseudo-random bit sequence in all transmitted channels, the optimization of the gating function, and the representation of system penalty. While posing impressive bit rates, various sources of system performance degradation pose issues in an OTDM system, owning to its ultra-narrow pulse widths. The presence of dispersion, timing jitter, polarization mode dispersion, and nonlinear effects, can sufficiently degrade the quality of the received data. This thesis gives a clear guideline to the tolerance an OTDM system exhibits to each of the aforementioned sources of system penalty. The theory behind each impairment is thoroughly discussed and simulated using MatLab. From the simulated results, a finite degree of sensitivity to each source of system penalty is realized. These contributions are of particular importance when attempting to implement an OTDM system in either the laboratory, or the field. / Thesis (Master, Electrical & Computer Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2010-05-17 22:51:56.471

This masters thesis is focusing on the issue of passive optic access networks. It is dealing with the limiting factors for broadband connections, especially attenuation of fibre optics and dispersion. It is also dealing with most commonly used standards of passive optic networks. It clarifies the issue of wavelength-division multiplexing, its advantages and disadvantages, used standards, various types of components for the WDM-networks, their characteristics, application etc. In the practical part of the work you can find the measuring and diagnostics of the passive optic network EPON. It contains measuring by the direct method OLTS, measuring by the Pon Power Meter and optic reflectometer OTDR. At the end I am dealing with the measuring of splitter in the rate of 1:16.

This project focuses on wavelength division multiplexing passive optical network (WDM-PON) supervision using optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) for detection and localization of any fault occurred in optical distribution network. The objective is to investigate the impact of OTDR monitoring signal on the data transmission in the WDM-PON based on wavelength re-use system, where the same wavelength is assigned for both upstream and downstream to each end user. Experimental validation has been carried out to measure three different schemes, i.e. back-to-back, WDM-PON with and without OTDR connection by using 1xN and NxN arrayed waveguide gratings. Furthermore, a comprehensive comparison has been made to trace out the effect of the monitoring signal which is transmitted together with the data through the implemented setup. Finally, the result has confirmed that the OTDR supervision signal does not affect the data transmission. The experiment has been carried out at Ericsson AB, Kista.

No description available.

A distributed sensor using an optical fiber for detecting and locating intruders over long perimeters (>10 km) is described. Phase changes resulting from either the pressure of the intruder on the ground immediately above the buried fiber or from seismic disturbances in the vicinity are sensed by a phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometer (φ−OTDR). Light pulses from a cw laser operating in a single longitudinal mode and with low (MHz/min range) frequency drift are injected into one end of the single mode fiber, and the backscattered light is monitored with a photodetector. In laboratory tests with 12 km of fiber on reels, the effects of localized phase perturbations induced by a piezoelectric fiber stretcher on φ−OTDR traces were characterized. In field tests in which the sensing element is a single mode fiber in a 3-mm diameter cable buried in an 8 to 18 inch deep, 4 inch wide trench in clay soil, detection of intruders on foot up to 15 ft from the cable line was achieved. In desert terrain field tests in which the sensing fiber is in a 4.5-mm diameter cable buried in a 1 ft deep, 2.5 ft wide trench filled with loose sand, high sensitivity and consistent detection of intruders on foot and of vehicles traveling down a road near the cable line was realized over a cable length of 8.5 km and a total fiber path of 19 km in real time. In a final series of field tests in clay soil, phase changes produced by the steps of a person walking up to 15 ft away from the buried cable were observed, and vehicles traveling at 10 mph were consistently detected up to 300 ft away. Based on these results, this technology may be regarded as a candidate for providing low-cost perimeter security for nuclear power plants, electrical power distribution centers, storage facilities for fuel and volatile chemicals, communication hubs, airports, government offices, military bases, embassies, and national borders.

A distributed sensor using an optical fiber for detecting and locating intruders over long perimeters (>10 km) is described. Phase changes resulting from either the pressure of the intruder on the ground immediately above the buried fiber or from seismic disturbances in the vicinity are sensed by a phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometer (φ−OTDR). Light pulses from a cw laser operating in a single longitudinal mode and with low (MHz/min range) frequency drift are injected into one end of the single mode fiber, and the backscattered light is monitored with a photodetector. In laboratory tests with 12 km of fiber on reels, the effects of localized phase perturbations induced by a piezoelectric fiber stretcher on φ−OTDR traces were characterized. In field tests in which the sensing element is a single mode fiber in a 3-mm diameter cable buried in an 8 to 18 inch deep, 4 inch wide trench in clay soil, detection of intruders on foot up to 15 ft from the cable line was achieved. In desert terrain field tests in which the sensing fiber is in a 4.5-mm diameter cable buried in a 1 ft deep, 2.5 ft wide trench filled with loose sand, high sensitivity and consistent detection of intruders on foot and of vehicles traveling down a road near the cable line was realized over a cable length of 8.5 km and a total fiber path of 19 km in real time. In a final series of field tests in clay soil, phase changes produced by the steps of a person walking up to 15 ft away from the buried cable were observed, and vehicles traveling at 10 mph were consistently detected up to 300 ft away. Based on these results, this technology may be regarded as a candidate for providing low-cost perimeter security for nuclear power plants, electrical power distribution centers, storage facilities for fuel and volatile chemicals, communication hubs, airports, government offices, military bases, embassies, and national borders.

The wavelength-division-multiplexed passive optical network (WDM-PON) offers many advantages such as large bandwidth per user, easy management, high network security and low insertion loss enabling long-reach and/or high split-ratio. However, with the rapid development and growing interest for deployment of WDM-PON, the PON systems are becoming increasingly vulnerable to various failures. Therefore, network supervision becomes extremely important to guarantee an appropriate level of network reliability performance. The aim of PON supervision is to provide automated test and diagnostic capability without compromising the available bandwidth for services. An essential function is to detect any kind of deterioration in the network that can cause suspended services and to remotely localize these faults in order to avoid the high cost arising from troubleshooting. In this thesis, we evaluate several existing WDM PON supervision methods, based on which two simple and cost-effective new solutions are proposed to localize fiber failures in WDM PON systems. In the first solution, a conventional optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) and a switch unit are employed, while in the second method, a novel architecture based on N×N arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) is proposed. Both methods are able to localize failures in feeder fiber and drop fibers without e.g. using expensive tunable OTDRs. A patent has been filed based on the second solution. The first proposed method is validated by simulations using VPI Transmission Maker. According to the results, this supervision method is able to give accurate measurement of many different types of failures that may happen in a fiber link. Furthermore, VPI is examined in terms of its future applicability in modeling complete PON supervision methods based on OTDR.