Optical performance monitoring using data stream intensity autocorrelation

We demonstrate optical performance monitoring using intensity autocorrelations of 10 Gbit/s RZ (return-to-zero) data. Data stream intensity autocorrelations are used for the quantitative determination of the optical signal-to noise ratio (OSNR) and accumulated dispersion values up to half the Talbot dispersion. Autocorrelations are performed using sensitive two-photon absorption in photon-counting silicon avalanche photodiodes. Simulations and experimental results demonstrate the retrieval of optical signal-to-noise ratio values in the presence of large accumulated dispersion.