Next-generation 400 Gb/s Ethernet PMD over SMF at 1310 nm via DD-OFDM with electro-absorption modulator-based transmitters

The technical feasibility of an unamplified 4 × 100 Gb/s wavelength division multiplexed direct-detection optical OFDM system that uses electro-absorption modulators (EAM) as transmitters is numerically demonstrated for up to 10-km reach of single-mode fiber (SMF) in O-band and 800 GHz-channel spacing. Based on the use of currently available optical components, most of which were developed for the current long-reach Ethernet standard, operating around 1300 nm, error-free operation (pre-FEC BER <; 3.8E-5) is achieved. The architecture here put forward represents a backward compatibility alternative that can be used to define next-generation 2- and 10-km 400 Gb/s Ethernet standard.