Towards Manufacturing of "Massive WDM" Metro (ToM3)

The aim of this manufacturing fellowship is to address the technology, architecture, performance and manufacturing needs of next generation optical communications systems for metro networks. Optical metro networks are undergoing tremendous growth as an unprecedented change in the distribution of network traffic, driven by requirements to ensure a superior quality of service to the end-user, leads to the concentration and localisation of traffic.

The programme targets two specific network functions: compact, scalable and power-efficient multi-carrier "super-channel" transceivers at baud rates of 28-32Gbaud and above, and scalable, wide-band (120nm), segmented discrete Raman optical fibre amplifiers. Innovative product processes enabled by digital coherent technology and DSP-based monitoring of key transceiver parameters will be explored to address manufacturing yield and extended test times for arrayed transceivers. Novel designs will be developed to minimise bend losses, manual interventions, and to take advantage of robotic assembly, thereby introducing the required consistency in critical assembly processes for segmented amplifier manufacture.

New equipment architectures and software-enabled re-purposing will be explored, focussed on energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, longevity, and manufacturability. System performance will be evaluated in detailed numerical models of target networks serving great metropolises like Greater London, and compared with extensive laboratory tests in recirculating loop and extended optical fibre test beds.

ToM3 will be of benefit to the researchers in existing UK based photonic industries including, for example, Oclaro, II-VI, Fujitsu, Polatis, Xtera, and BT. Additionally, by leveraging advances in component research and via innovations in system design and manufacturing, it aims to enable a platform for potential exploitation in new start-up companies when the timing is right.

The programme will be transformational because it will focus not on the delivery of the greatest capacity, longest reach or highest spectral efficiency, using best-in-class, ultra-high performance photonic components, but on approaches leading to the most cost-effective, scalable, energy-efficient and re-useable solutions. This focus is also timely because the underlying structure of future metro optical transceivers, based on dual-polarisation in-phase and quadrature modulators, integrated coherent receivers, and DSP ASIC has been established and universally agreed. Therefore, there is huge activity worldwide to provide these technologies using various technology platforms. Not only, therefore, is there a huge opportunity to take the next generational step in moving to arrayed transceivers and segmented amplifiers, as set out in our Case for Support, but we believe current target requirements, guided by legacy products and applications, lead to overly conservative component and sub-system specifications, and inefficient overall system designs. Our holistic approach to network equipment design, specific to the rapidly growing metro market, and taking advantage of ever-improving capabilities of DSP, will enable a radical redefinition of these requirements and a new approach to efficient and sustainable manufacturing.

Within the UK, there is a large, internationally leading community of university based researchers in optical devices, circuits and sub-systems, but in the absence of a large network equipment manufacturer, no local outlet in optical communication systems level for these activities. This fellowship research programme aims to address this "gaping hole" by providing a systems-led focus on requirements and specifications, focussed on direct industrial applications in a new generation of metro optical networks, associated product development processes, and smart manufacturing.

The specific pathways to impact activities associated with the project have been outlined in the "Pathways to Impact" attachment.