Counterreceiving heterodyne detection with an integrated coherent transceiver and its applications in bandwidth-on-demand access networks

Low-cost simple structure integrated transceivers are the key components toward future applications of coherent technology in access networks. In this paper, we propose a novel counterreceiving heterodyne detection (CRHD) scheme of a monolithically integrated four-section coherent transceiver. The CRHD scheme can lead to further simplification of the design of integrated coherent transceivers, and facilitates duplex transmissions with a single terminal device. Error free detection at 100 Mb/s with a 2¹⁵-1 pseudorandom pattern is achieved. Flexible partitioning of channel capacity between the up- and downstream traffic on the same wavelength channel is proposed and demonstrated based on the CRHD scheme. The functions of signaling and multichannel operations are performed to demonstrate a proof-of-concept bandwidth-on-demand access network with integrated coherent transceivers