High-Capacity Optical Networks with Multilevel Mode Division Multiplexing

The ever-growing demand for data transmission is pushing the boundaries of existing optical network technologies. Traditional single-mode fiber (SMF) systems are reaching their capacity limits, prompting researchers to explore new approaches for high-capacity, medium-distance optical networks. Mode division multiplexing (MDM) combined with multilevel modulation. MDM leverages the spatial properties of light within a fiber, transmitting multiple data streams through different optical modes essentially creating additional channels within a single fiber. Multilevel modulation, on the other hand, encodes data using multiple intensity or phase levels per symbol, increasing the information capacity of each mode. Combining these techniques, mode division-based multilevel multiplexing offers a compelling solution for next-generation optical networks. This approach promises significant advantages for medium-distance applications, such as data center interconnects and metro networks, where high capacity and efficient data transmission are crucial.