Optical transceiver technologies for inter-data center connectivity

In this paper, bandwidth and bit rate variable optical transceiver architectures, targeting high capacity and low cost, are presented and discussed as technology enablers for inter-data center connection, in the context of flexgrid networks. Potential candidates, based on multicarrier technologies, are considered for their spectral efficiency and reconfiguration capabilities. Cost-effective designs using low complex digital signal processing are proposed for flexible, software-defined transmission. Furthermore, programmable, modular transceiver architectures, equipped with tuneable optoelectronic front-end, are investigated for enabling sliceable functionality.