High Symbol Rate Signal Generation and Detection With Linear and Nonlinear Signal Processing

Digital signal processing is the core functional block in beyond-100G transmission systems with a high symbol rate and/or high spectral efficiency. We review recent progress on high symbol rate signal generation and detection, and corresponding advanced algorithms for signal equalization and compensation at the transmitters (Tx) and the receivers (Rx), respectively. Thanks to the joint Tx-side optical pre-equalization (pre-EQ) and Rx-side partial response maximum likelihood sequence estimation, significant performance improvement can be achieved by reducing the penalty caused by bandwidth limitations of the optical and electronic components. A joint pre-EQ and look-up table predistortion technique is also reviewed in this paper, which is demonstrated to be an effective method for mitigating devices' nonlinearity impairment. We exemplify how these advanced algorithms enable high symbol rate beyond-100G transmission systems with signal generation based on either electronic time-division multiplexing or digital-to-analog converters.