On the Comparison of Single-Carrier vs. Digital Multi-Carrier Signaling for Long-Haul Transmission of Probabilistically Shaped Constellation Formats

TL;DR

This paper compares single-carrier and digital multicarrier signaling methods for long-distance transmission of probabilistically shaped constellations, using both theoretical analysis and experimental validation at 120 GBd.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive comparison of nonlinear tolerance between single-carrier and multicarrier approaches with probabilistic shaping, including experimental results at ultra-long-haul distances.

Findings

Single-carrier and multicarrier approaches exhibit different nonlinear tolerances.

Experimental transmission of PCS16QAM at 120 GBd demonstrates practical performance.

Theoretical insights align with experimental observations.

Abstract

We report on theoretical and experimental investigations of the nonlinear tolerance of single carrier and digital multicarrier approaches with probabilistically shaped constellations. Experimental transmission of PCS16QAM is assessed at 120 GBd over an ultra-long-haul distance.