Optical Communications

Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits

opt. KT

Optical Communications

The upgrading of optical networks is expedited worldwide. In the near future private homes will have fast network access (1Gbit/s) and communication solutions for fast In-Home-Networks will have to be available.

Cost effective solutions for short haul-transmission

For optical short-range communication multimode-fibers are being increasingly replaced by easy-to-handle and cost effective polymer optical fibers (POF). However, due to the limited bandwidth and attenuation of POF the transmission channel has to be electronically equalized if high data rates are being transmitted.

We are currently working towards adaptive equalizer solutions for POF systems with data rates of 1.25 Gbit/s and 3.3 Gbit/s.

Current Projects

Selected publications

Zerna, Conrad; Weber, Norbert
Overview of Adaptive Integrated Equalizing Techniques for Gigabit SI-POF Home Networking Links
Proceedings, 20th International Conference on Plastic Optical Fibers (POF 2011)

Zerna, Conrad; Offenbeck, Bernd; Weber, Norbert; Abrate, Silvio (Istituto Superiore Mario Boella, ISMB, Torino), Nespola, Antonino (ISMB, Torino); Savio, Paolo (ISMB, Torino); Straullu, Stefano (ISMB, Torino); Gaudino, Roberto (Politecnico di Torino)
Adaptive Integrated PAM2 Mixed-Signal Equalizer for SI-POF Home Networking Links
Proceedings, 19th International Conference on Plastic Optical Fibers (POF 2010)

Zerna, Conrad; Sundermeyer, Jan; Fiederer, Andrea; Verwaal, Nanko; Offenbeck, Bernd; Weber, Norbert
Integrated PAM2 Decision Feedback Equalizer for Gigabit Ethernet over Standard SI-POF using red LED
Proceedings, 36th Conference and Exhibition on Optical Communication (ECOC 2010)

Nespola, Antonia (ISMB, Torino); Abrate, Silvio (ISMB, Torino); Gaudino, Roberto (Politecnico di Torino); Offenbeck, Bernd; Sundermeyer, Jan; Zerna, Conrad; Weber, Norbert
In-building and home networks using POF
Proceedings, 22nd Annual Meeting of the IEEE Photonics Society (LEOS '09), pp. 624 - 625, ISBN: 978-1-4244-3680-4

Sundermeyer, Jan; Tan, Jun; Zerna, Conrad
Integrated Analogue Adaptive Equalizer for Gigabit Transmission over Standard Step Index Plastic Optical Fibre (SI-POF)
Proceedings, 22nd Annual Meeting of the IEEE Photonics Society (LEOS '09), pp. 195 - 196, ISBN: 978-1-4244-3680-4