JP2012249122A - Optical communication system and optical transmitter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an increase of component cost and deterioration of signal quality even when the center frequency of a modulation signal is shifted to a high frequency side from a frequency that can be demodulated.SOLUTION: In the optical communication system, an optical transmitter 1 comprises: a first local oscillator 10 for outputting a first local oscillation signal having a first frequency as an oscillation frequency; a modulator 11 for modulating the first local oscillation signal using a data signal; a second local oscillator 14 for outputting a second local oscillation signal having a second frequency, which is located near the frequency band of the modulation signal, as an oscillation frequency; a multiplexer 15 for multiplexing the modulation signal with the second local oscillation signal; a light source 12 for outputting optical continuous signals to be modulated; and an SSB modulator for SSB modulating the optical continuous signals to be modulated, using the multiplexed signal. Further, an optical receiver 2 comprises: a photo sensor 20 for converting the SSB modulation signal into an electric signal; and a demodulator 24 for demodulating the electric signal to output a data signal.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for preventing an increase in cost of components and deterioration of signal quality in an optical communication system in which an optical transmitter and an optical receiver communicate via an optical fiber transmission line.

  In recent years, optical communication using an optical fiber has been used as one of multi-channel video distribution techniques. One of the methods for modulating a video signal in optical communication is a so-called Frequency Modulation (FM) batch modulation method. In the FM batch modulation system, frequency-multiplexed video signals of a large number of channels are FM modulated at once.

  As a method for performing FM batch modulation, a method using a phase modulator (Phase Modulator, PM) or a voltage controlled oscillator (Voltage Control Oscillator, VCO) in the electrical domain, and a method using heterodyne detection in the optical domain. (Nonpatent literature 1) is mentioned. In the method using heterodyne detection in the optical domain, an electrical signal is converted into an optical signal, and further, the optical signal is converted into an electrical signal and FM modulation is performed. It is considered that the problem is bad.

  On the other hand, the method of performing FM batch modulation using PM or VCO in the electrical domain requires a PM or VCO that operates at high speed and has a flat gain and a high linearity in a wide band. There exists a subject that the cost concerning PM or VCO is high. In general, an FM batch modulated multi-channel video signal has a center frequency of 3 GHz and a bandwidth of about 6 GHz and is very wide band, and requirements for gain and phase characteristics are very strict.

  As a method of relaxing this requirement, there is a method of setting the center frequency of FM batch modulation to a frequency higher than 3 GHz. For example, if the center frequency is set to a high frequency of about 20 GHz, the modulation bandwidth with respect to the center frequency, the so-called ratio band, can be reduced, and the requirements for the gain and phase characteristics resulting from the wide bandwidth can be relaxed.

Koji Kikushima et al., “Ultra-wideband FM batch conversion type multi-channel AM / QAM video transmission device”, IEICE technical report, OCS, optical communication system 97 (129), pp. 37-42, June 23, 1997.

  However, when the FM batch modulation signal is optically transmitted, the center frequency is shifted from a frequency that can be FM demodulated to a high frequency. Therefore, before optical modulation by the optical transmitter or before FM demodulation by the optical receiver. Needs a frequency down-conversion function to shift the center frequency (20 GHz) to the original low frequency side (3 GHz).

  The frequency downconverter is generally composed of a local oscillator, a frequency mixer, and a low pass filter (LPF). Similarly to the requirements for the gain and phase characteristics in the PM or VCO during FM modulation, the signal handled in the frequency down-conversion becomes a wide band, so that the flatness and phase of the gain with respect to the frequency in the frequency mixer and the LPF. Characteristic linearity is required.

  The configuration of a conventional optical communication system is shown in FIG. In a conventional optical communication system, an optical transmitter 1 and an optical receiver 2 communicate via an optical fiber transmission line 3. The optical transmitter 1 includes a local oscillator 10, a modulator 11, a light source 12, and an intensity modulator 13. The optical receiver 2 includes a light receiver 20, a local oscillator 21, a frequency mixer 22, an LPF 23, and a demodulator 24. In the following description, general modulation not limited to FM batch modulation will be described.

The local oscillator 10 outputs a local oscillation signal having the frequency f ₁ as an oscillation frequency. The modulator 11 modulates a local oscillation signal having the frequency f ₁ as an oscillation frequency using the data signal, and outputs a modulated signal. The light source 12 outputs a continuous signal (frequency f _L ) of light to be modulated. The intensity modulator 13 uses the modulation signal from the local oscillation signal having the frequency f ₁ as an oscillation frequency to intensity-modulate the continuous light signal to be modulated, and modulates the continuous light signal to be modulated from the continuous signal. The signal is transmitted to the optical receiver 2.

The light receiver 20 receives a modulation signal from a continuous signal of light to be modulated from the optical transmitter 1 and converts it into an electrical signal. The local oscillator 21 outputs a local oscillation signal having the frequency f ₁ as an oscillation frequency. The frequency mixer 22 uses the local oscillation signal whose oscillation frequency is the frequency f ₁ output from the local oscillator 21 to down-convert the electrical signal output from the light receiver 20. The LPF 23 blocks the image frequency component on the high frequency side of the signal output from the frequency mixer 22 and transmits the component of the down conversion frequency on the low frequency side. The demodulator 24 demodulates the signal output from the LPF 23 and restores the data signal input to the optical transmitter 1.

The signal spectrum of the prior art is shown in FIG. The upper left side of FIG. 2 shows the spectrum of the data signal at point A in FIG. The upper right side of FIG. 2 shows the spectrum of the modulation signal from the local oscillation signal having the frequency f ₁ as the oscillation frequency at point B in FIG. The middle part of FIG. 2 shows the spectrum of the modulated signal from the continuous signal of the light to be modulated at the point C in FIG. The lower left end of FIG. 2 shows the spectrum of the electrical signal output from the light receiver 20 at the point D in FIG. The lower center of FIG. 2 shows the spectrum of the signal output by the LPF 23 at point E in FIG. The lower right end of FIG. 2 shows the spectrum of the data signal at point F in FIG.

Data signal at point A in Figure 1, has frequency components from 0 up to f _D. Modulated signal from a local oscillator signal to the oscillation frequency of the frequency _{f 1} at point B in Figure 1, the center frequency _{f 1,} having frequency components from f 1 -f _W to _f 1 + _{f W.} Here, the frequency f _W is the half-width of the frequency band of the modulated signal from the local oscillation signal to the frequency f ₁ and the oscillation frequency, the FM batch modulation is a frequency that varies in accordance with FM modulation.

The modulation signal from the continuous light signal to be modulated at point C in FIG. 1 has a frequency component of f _L derived from the continuous light signal to be modulated, and f _L + f ₁ as the upper sideband. It has frequency components from −f _W to f _L + f ₁ + f _W , and has frequency components from f _L −f ₁ −f _W to f _L −f ₁ + f _W as the lower sideband.

Electrical signal output from the photodetector 20 at the point D in FIG. 1, the center frequency _{f 1,} having frequency components from f 1 -f _W to _f 1 + _{f W.} Output signals of the LPF23 at point E in Figure 1, has frequency components from 0 to 2f _W. Data signal in the point F in FIG. 1 has a frequency component of 0 to f _D, the data signal is restored.

  In the prior art described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a frequency down converter including a local oscillator 21, a frequency mixer 22, and an LPF 23 is required in the optical receiver 2 or the optical transmitter 1. However, in the frequency mixer 22 and the LPF 23, flatness of gain with respect to frequency and linearity of phase characteristics are required. Here, if the frequency mixer 22 and the LPF 23 are made to have high performance, the cost of parts increases, and in particular, the circuit configuration of the optical receiver 2 becomes complicated. However, unless the frequency mixer 22 and the LPF 23 have high performance, the signal quality deteriorates.

  Accordingly, in order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention prevents an increase in the cost of components and a deterioration in signal quality even when the center frequency of a modulation signal is shifted from a frequency that can be demodulated to a high frequency. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the optical transmitter generates a combined signal by combining the modulated signal from the modulator and the local oscillation signal from the local oscillator, and uses the combined signal as a modulation target. SSB (Single Side Band) modulation of a continuous light signal. Here, the frequency component derived from the continuous signal of the light to be modulated is suppressed in the SSB modulated signal, and the frequency component derived from the combined signal remains. That is, the frequency component derived from the local oscillation signal from the local oscillator functions as a carrier wave of the optical signal. In an optical receiver, the processing speed of photoelectric conversion at the photoreceiver is slower than the frequency of the optical signal, so if the frequency of the local oscillation signal from the local oscillator is selected appropriately, the frequency of the electrical signal from the photoreceiver Is located at a frequency that can be demodulated. Therefore, no frequency down converter is required on the transmission / reception side.

  Specifically, the present invention is an optical communication system in which an optical transmitter and an optical receiver communicate via an optical fiber transmission line, and the optical transmitter uses a first frequency as an oscillation frequency. A first local oscillator that outputs a local oscillation signal, a modulator that modulates the first local oscillation signal by using a data signal and outputs a modulation signal, and a second that uses a second frequency as an oscillation frequency A second local oscillator that outputs a local oscillation signal, a multiplexer that combines the modulation signal and the second local oscillation signal and outputs a combined signal, and outputs a continuous signal of light to be modulated A light source that performs the SSB (Single Side Band) modulation of the continuous signal of the light to be modulated using the combined signal, and an SSB modulator that transmits an SSB modulated signal to the optical receiver, The optical receiver receives the SSB modulated signal. An optical communication system comprising: a photoreceiver that receives from the optical transmitter and converts it into an electrical signal; and a demodulator that demodulates the electrical signal and outputs the data signal.

  The present invention also provides an optical transmitter that communicates with an optical receiver via an optical fiber transmission line, and a first local oscillator that outputs a first local oscillation signal having an oscillation frequency of a first frequency; A modulator that modulates the first local oscillation signal using a data signal and outputs a modulated signal; a second local oscillator that outputs a second local oscillation signal having a second frequency as an oscillation frequency; A multiplexer that combines the modulated signal and the second local oscillation signal and outputs a combined signal; a light source that outputs a continuous signal of light to be modulated; and An optical transmitter comprising: an SSB modulator that performs SSB (Single Side Band) modulation on a continuous signal of light to be modulated and transmits an SSB modulated signal to the optical receiver.

  According to this configuration, even when the center frequency of the modulation signal is shifted from a frequency that can be demodulated to a high frequency, if the frequency of the second local oscillation signal from the second local oscillator is appropriately selected, The frequency down converter is not necessary on the transmission / reception side, and the increase in the cost of components and the deterioration of the signal quality can be prevented.

  In the invention, it is preferable that the second frequency is a frequency between a frequency of a direct current component and a frequency obtained by subtracting a half width of a frequency band of the modulation signal from the frequency of the first component, or the frequency of the first frequency. The optical communication system is located between a frequency obtained by adding half widths of the frequency bands of the modulation signals to an infinite frequency.

  In the invention, it is preferable that the second frequency is a frequency between a frequency of a direct current component and a frequency obtained by subtracting a half width of a frequency band of the modulation signal from the frequency of the first component, or the frequency of the first frequency. The optical transmitter is located between the frequency obtained by adding the half widths of the frequency band of the modulated signal to an infinite frequency.

  According to this configuration, the frequency of the electric signal from the light receiver can be set to a band sufficient to reliably demodulate the original data signal.

  In the present invention, the second frequency is a frequency obtained by adding a half width of the frequency band of the modulation signal to the first frequency, or a half width of the frequency band of the modulation signal is subtracted from the first frequency. It is an optical communication system characterized by having a frequency.

  In the present invention, the second frequency is a frequency obtained by adding a half width of the frequency band of the modulation signal to the first frequency, or a half width of the frequency band of the modulation signal is subtracted from the first frequency. It is an optical transmitter characterized by having a frequency.

  According to this configuration, since the frequency of the electric signal from the light receiver is distributed from the frequency of the direct current component to the entire width of the frequency band of the modulation signal, it is located at a frequency that can be reliably demodulated, and the original data is surely The bandwidth is sufficient to demodulate the signal.

  Further, the present invention is the optical communication system characterized in that the light receiver has a transmission band not less than the full width of the frequency band of the modulation signal from the frequency of the direct current component.

  According to this configuration, the frequency of the electrical signal from the light receiver is more reliably distributed from the frequency of the DC component to the entire width of the frequency band of the modulation signal.

  According to the present invention, even when the center frequency of a modulation signal is shifted from a frequency that can be demodulated to a high frequency, it is possible to prevent an increase in cost of components and deterioration of signal quality.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the optical communication system of a prior art. It is a figure which shows the signal spectrum of a prior art. It is a figure which shows the structure of the optical communication system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the signal spectrum of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In the present specification and drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same components.

  The configuration of the optical communication system of the present invention is shown in FIG. In the optical communication system of the present invention, the optical transmitter 1 and the optical receiver 2 communicate via the optical fiber transmission line 3. The optical transmitter 1 includes a local oscillator 10, a modulator 11, a light source 12, a local oscillator 14, a multiplexer 15, a 90-degree phase shifter 16, and a nested Mach-Zehnder modulator 17. The optical receiver 2 includes a light receiver 20 and a demodulator 24, and does not include the local oscillator 21, the frequency mixer 22, and the LPF 23. In the following description, general modulation not limited to FM batch modulation will be described.

The local oscillator 10 outputs a local oscillation signal having the frequency f ₁ as an oscillation frequency. The modulator 11 modulates a local oscillation signal having the frequency f ₁ as an oscillation frequency using the data signal, and outputs a modulated signal. The local oscillator 14 outputs a local oscillation signal to the frequency f ₂ and the oscillation frequency. The multiplexer 15 combines the modulated signal output from the modulator 11 and the local oscillation signal output from the local oscillator 14 and outputs a combined signal. The light source 12 outputs a continuous signal (frequency f _L ) of light to be modulated.

  The 90-degree phase shifter 16 and the nested Mach-Zehnder modulator 17 collectively function as an SSB modulator, and use the combined signal output from the combiner 15 to generate a continuous signal of light to be modulated. SSB modulation is performed, and an SSB modulated signal from a continuous light signal to be modulated is transmitted to the optical receiver 2. Here, as the SSB modulator, devices other than the 90-degree phase shifter 16 and the nested Mach-Zehnder modulator 17 can be used.

  The light receiver 20 receives an SSB modulation signal from a continuous light signal to be modulated from the optical transmitter 1 and converts it into an electrical signal. The demodulator 24 demodulates the electrical signal output from the light receiver 21 and restores the data signal input to the optical transmitter 1. As described above, the optical receiver 2 does not include the local oscillator 21, the frequency mixer 22, and the LPF 23.

The signal spectrum of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4 shows the spectrum of the data signal at point G in FIG. The upper center of FIG. 4 shows the spectrum of the modulation signal from the local oscillation signal with the frequency f ₁ as the oscillation frequency at the point H in FIG. 4 shows the spectrum of the combined signal output from the multiplexer 15 at the point I in FIG. The middle part of FIG. 4 shows the spectrum of the SSB modulated signal from the continuous light signal to be modulated at point J in FIG. The lower left side of FIG. 4 shows the spectrum of the electrical signal output from the light receiver 20 at the point K in FIG. The lower right side of FIG. 4 shows the spectrum of the data signal at point L in FIG.

Data signal in point G in FIG. 3 has a frequency component of 0 to f _D. Modulated signal from the local oscillation signal to the frequency _{f 1} and the oscillation frequency at point H in FIG. 3, around the frequency _{f 1,} having frequency components from f 1 -f _W to _f 1 + _{f W.} Here, the frequency f _W is the half-width of the frequency band of the modulated signal from the local oscillation signal to the frequency f ₁ and the oscillation frequency, the FM batch modulation is a frequency that varies in accordance with FM modulation.

Output by combining signals of the multiplexer 15 at point I in FIG. 3, around the frequency _{f 1,} having frequency components from f 1 -f _W to _f 1 + _{f W. Then,} further comprising a frequency component of f _{2 =} f 1 -f _W. However, instead of having a frequency component of f ₂ = f ₁ −f _W, a frequency component of f ₂ = f ₁ + f _W may be further included.

The SSB modulation signal from the continuous light signal to be modulated at point J in FIG. 3 does not have a frequency component of f _L derived from the continuous light signal to be modulated. Then, as the upper _sideband, having frequency components from f _{L +} f 1 -f _W to _{f L + f 1 + f W} , as the local oscillation signal from which the frequency _{f 2} and the oscillation _frequency, f _{L +} f 1 -f _It has a frequency component of _W. However, the upper sideband has a frequency component from f _L + f ₁ −f _W to f _L + f ₁ + f _W, and is derived from a local oscillation signal having the frequency f ₂ as the oscillation frequency, f _L + f ₁ −f Instead of having a frequency component of _W , the lower sideband has frequency components from f _L −f ₁ −f _W to f _L −f ₁ + f _W , and the frequency f ₂ is the oscillation frequency. The frequency component of f _L −f ₁ + f _W may be derived from the local oscillation signal. Thus, the frequency component f _L derived from the continuous signal of the light to be modulated does not function as a carrier wave of the optical signal, but the frequency component f _L + f derived from the local oscillation signal having the frequency f ₂ as the oscillation frequency. ₁ −f _W or f _L −f ₁ + f _W functions as a carrier wave of the optical signal.

Electrical signal output from the photodetector 20 at point K in FIG. 3 has a frequency component of 0 to 2f _W. Data signal in point L in FIG. 3 has a frequency component of 0 to f _D, the data signal is restored. Thus, in the optical receiver 2, the processing speed of the photoelectric conversion by the photodetector 20 is slower compared to the frequency of the optical signal, the frequency of the electrical signal from the light receiver 20, from 0 to 2f _W Located at a frequency that can be demodulated.

  As described above, the frequency of the local oscillation signal from the local oscillator 14 is positioned at one end of the frequency band of the modulation signal from the modulator 11, the SSB modulator performs SSB modulation, and the light receiver 20 performs photoelectric conversion. As a result, the same effect as the frequency down-conversion by the frequency mixer 22 of FIG. 1 can be obtained. Then, when the SSB modulator performs SSB modulation, the same effect as the LPF 23 of FIG. 1 blocks the image frequency component on the high frequency side and transmits the down conversion frequency component on the low frequency side can be obtained. Therefore, even when the center frequency of the modulation signal is shifted from a frequency that can be demodulated to a high frequency, a frequency down converter is not required on the transmission / reception side, thereby preventing an increase in cost of components and deterioration of signal quality. Can do.

In the above embodiment, the frequency of the local oscillation signal from the local oscillator 14 is positioned at one end of the frequency band of the modulation signal from the modulator 11. However, the frequency of the local oscillation signal from the local oscillator 14 may be set to an arbitrary frequency. That _may be located is not a _{f 2} in the range of _{0~f 1 -f W ~f 1, f} 1 ~f 1 + in the range of _f W to ¶ may be located in _{f 2.} Here, the infinite frequency means an arbitrary frequency equal to or higher than f ₁ + f _W. Alternatively, the frequency of the local oscillation signal from the local oscillator 14 may be positioned in the vicinity of the frequency band of the modulation signal from the modulator 11. For _{example, f 1 -2f W ~f 1 -f} W in the range of ~f ₁ may be positioned to _{f 2,} be positioned to _{f 2} in the range of _{f 1 ~f 1 + f W ~f} 1 + 2f W Good.

However, when f ₂ is positioned in the range of 0 to f ₁ −f _W or in the range of f ₁ + f _{W to} ∞, the frequency of the electrical signal from the light receiver 20 is not necessarily located at a frequency that can be demodulated, A down converter may be required. _Then, when positioning the _{f 2} in the range of f 1 _-f W range of ~f ₁ or _f 1 _~f 1 + _{f W} is the frequency of the electrical signal from the light receiver 20, to demodulate the original data signal There may be insufficient bandwidth.

Therefore, by making f ₂ coincide with f ₁ −f _W or f ₁ + f _W , the frequency of the electric signal from the light receiver 20 is distributed from 0 to 2 f _W , so that the frequency can be reliably demodulated. In addition, the bandwidth is sufficient to reliably demodulate the original data signal. Further, by the above 2f _W a transmission band from 0 of the light receiver 20, the frequency of the electrical signal from the light receiver 20 is distributed to more reliably from 0 to 2f _W.

  The optical communication system and the optical transmitter according to the present invention can be applied to an optical communication technique using general modulation that is not limited to FM batch modulation.

1: optical transmitter 2: optical receiver 3: optical fiber transmission line 10: local oscillator 11: modulator 12: light source 13: intensity modulator 14: local oscillator 15: multiplexer 16: 90 degree phase shifter 17: Nest type Mach-Zehnder type modulator 20: light receiver 21: local oscillator 22: frequency mixer 23: LPF
24: Demodulator

Claims (7)

An optical communication system in which an optical transmitter and an optical receiver communicate via an optical fiber transmission line,
The optical transmitter is
A first local oscillator that outputs a first local oscillation signal having an oscillation frequency of the first frequency;
A modulator that modulates the first local oscillation signal using a data signal and outputs a modulation signal;
A second local oscillator that outputs a second local oscillation signal having the second frequency as an oscillation frequency;
A multiplexer that combines the modulated signal and the second local oscillation signal and outputs a combined signal;
A light source that outputs a continuous signal of light to be modulated;
An SSB modulator that performs SSB (Single Side Band) modulation on the continuous signal of the light to be modulated using the combined signal, and transmits an SSB modulated signal to the optical receiver;
With
The optical receiver is:
A light receiver that receives the SSB modulated signal from the optical transmitter and converts it into an electrical signal;
A demodulator that demodulates the electrical signal and outputs the data signal;
An optical communication system comprising:   The second frequency is a frequency between a frequency of a direct current component and a frequency obtained by subtracting a half width of a frequency band of the modulation signal from the first frequency, or a frequency of the modulation signal with respect to the first frequency. 2. The optical communication system according to claim 1, wherein the optical communication system is located between a frequency obtained by adding a half width of a band to an infinite frequency.   The second frequency is a frequency obtained by adding a half width of the frequency band of the modulation signal to the first frequency, or a frequency obtained by subtracting a half width of the frequency band of the modulation signal from the first frequency. The optical communication system according to claim 1 or 2.   4. The optical communication system according to claim 2, wherein the optical receiver has a transmission band that is equal to or greater than a full width of a frequency band of the modulation signal from a frequency of a direct current component. 5. An optical transmitter that communicates with an optical receiver via an optical fiber transmission line,
A first local oscillator that outputs a first local oscillation signal having an oscillation frequency of the first frequency;
A modulator that modulates the first local oscillation signal using a data signal and outputs a modulation signal;
A second local oscillator that outputs a second local oscillation signal having the second frequency as an oscillation frequency;
A multiplexer that combines the modulated signal and the second local oscillation signal and outputs a combined signal;
A light source that outputs a continuous signal of light to be modulated;
An SSB modulator that performs SSB (Single Side Band) modulation on the continuous signal of the light to be modulated using the combined signal, and transmits an SSB modulated signal to the optical receiver;
An optical transmitter comprising:   The second frequency is a frequency between a frequency of a direct current component and a frequency obtained by subtracting a half width of a frequency band of the modulation signal from the first frequency, or a frequency of the modulation signal with respect to the first frequency. The optical transmitter according to claim 5, wherein the optical transmitter is located between a frequency obtained by adding half of the bands to an infinite frequency.   The second frequency is a frequency obtained by adding a half width of the frequency band of the modulation signal to the first frequency, or a frequency obtained by subtracting a half width of the frequency band of the modulation signal from the first frequency. The optical transmitter according to claim 5 or 6.

Images