400Gb/s Trials Using Software-Reconfigurable,

Production-Grade Transponders over Flexible-Grid

Networks
M. Bertolini, L. Raddatz, T. Van de Velde, A. Playan

A. Pagano, E. Riccardi

Alcatel-Lucent, IP Routing and Transport BU

Via Trento 30, 20871 Vimercate, Italy
marco.bertolini@alcatel-lucent.com

Telecom Italia, Transport Innovation

V.G. Reiss Romoli 274, 10148 Torino, Italy

A. Carrasco
Telefnica Spain, Transport Technology
Ronda de la comunicacin s/n, 28050 Madrid, Spain

I.

Abstract

Since 2010, 100Gb/s technology has been quickly gaining

traction, growing up to 45% of total capacity in core networks
in 2013 [1]. To further increase this capacity, a new approach
is required: the introduction of higher level modulation
formats, in conjunction with flexible allocation of the spectral
resources, allows to more than double the spectral efficiency
compared to 100Gb/s. With this approach, capacities in excess
of 20Tb/s can be achieved on a single fiber [2].
In this paper we review two different field trials performed
by Alcatel-Lucent in collaboration with two of the largest
carriers in Europe: Telefonica and Telecom Italia. In both
cases we demonstrated 400Gb/s transmission using a dualcarrier, software re-configurable transponder. The card can be
provisioned to transmit a 2x200Gb/s signal using PDM16QAM format or a 2x100Gb/s signal using PDM-QPSK,
with a symbol rate of 32Gbaud. It features a CMOS chip that
integrates an ADC/DAC and a DSP performing coherent
detection. The lasers on the card can be tuned to any multiple
of 12.5GHz, thus enabling flexible grid operations.
The first trial was performed with Telefonica in Spain; the
signals were transmitted over a DCU-free network carrying
live traffic at 40Gb/s. The two 400Gb/s cards were installed in
Lerida and Barcelona.
Multiple transmission tests were
performed and monitored for 24h or more: initially a 400Gb/s
signal was sent over a ~350km path. Then the card was
reconfigured (see Fig.1) to generate a 200Gb/s signal, that was
sent over a different ~700km path between the same nodes. In
both cases, each of the two carriers making up the 400Gb/s
(resp. 200Gb/s) signal was fitting in a 50GHz slot of the
standard ITU grid. Finally, we set up an ad-hoc link running in

parallel to the existing network, making use of flex-grid

capable WSS. Over this link, we created a single 75GHz slot
with the WSS and used it to transport both carriers of the
400Gb/s and 200Gb/s signals.

Fig. 1.

The second trial [3] was performed with Telecom Italia

over a G.652 metro-regional fiber link in Turin area. The link
was composed of 7x27dB loss spans, for a total length of
~570km. The card was first configured to generate a
2x100Gb/s signal. The performance was measured after the
whole link, testing received BER as a function of the launched
power per span. Similar tests were then performed for the
2x200G case after ~240km and 400km respectively. In both
cases the software-reconfigurable card was co-propagating
with commercial 40Gb/s and 100Gb/s signals. We then
switched to a G.655 lab link were we could perform
experiments with 37.5GHz spacing . Without applying any
particular pulse-shape optimization, we verified the penalty vs.
a standard 50GHz spacing application to be ~1dB.

References
[1]
[2]

[3]

Fig. 2.

PDM-16QAM and PDM-QPSK constellations in back-to-back

400Gb/s PDM-16QAM and 200Gb/s PDM-QPSK in 75GHz

DellOro Group, Optical Transport Report Five Year Forecast 20142018, Vol. 14, no. 1, Jan 2014
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A. Pagano et al 400Gb/s real-time trial using rate-adaptive transponders
for next generation flexible-grid networks, OFC 2014, paper Tu2B.4