Linear and Nonlinear Frequency-Division Multiplexing

TL;DR

This paper compares wavelength-division multiplexing and nonlinear frequency-division multiplexing in optical fiber communication, showing that NFDM achieves higher information rates due to nonlinear multiplexing effects in an ideal lossless model.

Contribution

It demonstrates that NFDM outperforms WDM in achievable information rates within a lossless optical fiber model, highlighting the benefits of nonlinear multiplexing.

Findings

NFDM has higher AIR than WDM under bandwidth and power constraints.

Nonlinear multiplexing enhances information capacity in optical fibers.

Results are based on an ideal lossless fiber model in the defocusing regime.

Abstract

Two signal multiplexing schemes for optical fiber communication are considered: Wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) and nonlinear frequency-division multiplexing (NFDM), based on the nonlinear Fourier transform (NFT). Achievable information rates (AIRs) of NFDM and WDM are compared in a network scenario with an ideal lossless model of the optical fiber in the defocusing regime. It is shown that the NFDM AIR is greater than the WDM AIR subject to a bandwidth and average power constraint, in a representative system with one symbol per user. The improvement results from nonlinear signal multiplexing.