A Novel Scheme for All-Optical-Regeneration Based on Mach-Zhender Modulator

Abstract

All-Optical Signal regeneration schemes proposed for better performance are generally based on exploiting non-linearities of the fiber material. We pro pose a novel All-Optical Signal Regenerator that performs regeneration of optical signals in the optical domain. Our proposed all-optical regenerator is a designed physical component that works on the principle of operation of a dual-drive Mach-Zhender Modulator (DD-MZM) and is installed at the re ceiver side of an optical-fiber based communications link. The optical signal at the input of the regenerator is split into two paths. One of these paths is passed through a photodetector for Opto-electronic-conversion (OE) conver sion and is fed into the arms of the DD-MZM for biasing. The other path carries the optical signal and is connected to the input of the DD-MZM. We exploit the decreasing slope of the transfer function of DD-MZM to reduce intensity variations among pulses of an optical signal. This is achieved by combining the bias voltage of the DD-MZM with the pulsed optical data signal. This technique helps us in reducing the complexity and calculations of the all-optical signal regenerator. For simulations, the proposed all-optical regenerator is connected at the receiver side and results are obtained which shows a significant improvement in bit error rate (BER) performance.