Bidirectional and wavelength unrestricted conversion for long-haul and data centre VCSEL optical fibre interconnects

• Published in: Journal of modern optics 2019-11, Vol.66 (20), p.1979-1983
• Main Authors: Kiboi Boiyo, D., Isoe, G. M., Kipnoo, E. K., Gibbon, T. B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: bidirectional; Conversion; Data centers; data centre; Data exchange; Interconnects; long-haul; Signal quality; Transmitters; VCSEL; wavelength conversion; Wavelengths
• ISSN: 0950-0340; 1362-3044
• DOI: 10.1080/09500340.2019.1686185

Data exchange between wavelength restricted networks is a vital component of a communication link especially a data centre and the long-haul fibre network. Using VCSEL transmitters, we experimentally demonstrate an all passive bidirectional wavelength conversion based on electrical-to-optical-to-electrical driven transmitters whose transmission wavelengths are not restricted. In this study, a downstream 1550 nm VCSEL modulated at 8.5 Gbps is transmitted over 24 km SMF and its electrical data signal used to drive an 850 nm transmitter and transmitted over 50 m MM fibre. An upstream illustration by modulating an 850 nm VCSEL with 8.5 Gbps and driving a 1550 nm is similarly performed to represent a bidirectional wavelength conversion and quality of signal analysed at the 10 −9 BER level. A 1.6 dB average penalty is incurred in this set-up due to the inter-modal dispersion experienced by the multimode-mode signals in the 850 nm wavelengths. This work provides a convenient, cheaper and efficient technique for integrating the short- and long-haul transmitted signals in backbone fibre-links.