Simulation of silicon photonic coherent PM-QPSK transceivers using microring modulators

Silicon photonic components are key enablers for low-cost, compact, and reduced power-consumption coherent transceivers. This paper discusses models used to analyze the performance of silicon photonic ring modulators in coherent links, and presents simulation results for 32- and 16-Gbaud PM-QPSK back-to-back transceivers incorporating these modulators in comparison with designs using LiNbO₃ MZMs. While the penalty at 32 Gbaud is high, at 16 Gbaud the ring modulator performance approaches that of the MZM, with a sensitivity penalty of only 1.3 dB. Our results also show the strong temperature sensitivity of the ring modulator.