Programmable transmission systems using coherent detection enabling multi-Tb/s interfaces for IT-communications convergence in optical networks

The information technologies (ITs)-communications infrastructure convergence is key to future optical networks for achieving an automated orchestration of IT, optical and cloud resources. To cope with this challenge, transmission systems need to be agile, programmable, and capable of transmitting large amounts of data, while covering data center and metropolitan networks. This work addresses transmission solutions using coherent detection combined with either direct or external modulation, with special focus on flexible, high capacity and cost/energy-efficient systems. The proposed technological solutions are evaluated in terms of throughput, and programmability and interaction with the control plane.