Ten-Channel Discrete Multi-Tone Modulation Using Silicon Microring Modulator Array

The emerging applications for inter- and intra- data center communications demand low-cost and small-from-factor optical transceivers with 100G/400G capacity. Various techniques, such as wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM), multi-level pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM), and discrete multi-tone (DMT), are heavily investigated in this field. Among these techniques, DMT can offer 100-G capacity with 10-20G optical devices using direct detection, which provides a very promising low-cost 100G/400G solution. In this paper, we report ten-channel discrete multi-tone generation using silicon microring modulator array, which simultaneously function as de-multiplexers, modulators, and multiplexers. An aggregated data rate of 0.88 Tb/s is achieved at a bit error ratio of 3.8x10-3.