Constellation-based identification of linear and nonlinear OSNR using machine learning: a study of link-agnostic performance.

We demonstrate accurate estimation of generalized optical signal to noise ratio (GOSNR) for wavelength division multiplexed fiber communication systems using an experimentally trained multi-tasking convolutional neural network while simultaneously estimating linear and nonlinear noise contributions. Using dual-polarized 32-GBaud 16QAM DWDM links we extract learnable features from constellation density matrices and accurately estimate GOSNR while simultaneously estimating linear and nonlinear contributions. Estimation of the OSNRASE, OSNRNL and GOSNR are demonstrated with < 0.5 dB mean absolute error. We also assess the universality of our model within the regime of metro networks by cross-training with data from such links comprised of different fiber types. We demonstrate a path to a practical universal training method that includes additional link parameters. The methods do not require contiguous high-speed sampling, additional hardware nor transmission of special symbols or patterns and are readily implemented in deployed systems.

Effects of the Blob on settlement of spotted sand bass, Paralabrax maculatofasciatus, to Mission Bay, San Diego, CA.

The West Coast of the United States experienced variable and sometimes highly unusual oceanographic conditions between 2012 and 2015. In particular, a warm mass of surface water known as the Pacific Warm Anomaly (popularly as "The Blob") impinged on southern California in 2014, and warm-water conditions remained during the 2015 El Niño. We examine how this oceanographic variability affected delivery and individual characteristics of larval spotted sand bass (Paralabrax maculatofasciatus) to an estuarine nursery habitat in southern California. To quantify P. maculatofasciatus settlement patterns, three larval collectors were installed near the mouth of Mission Bay, San Diego CA, and retrieved weekly from June-October of 2012-2015. During 'Blob' conditions in 2014 and 2015, lower settlement rates of spotted sand bass were associated with higher sea surface temperature and lower wind speed, chlorophyll a (chl a) and upwelling. Overall, the number of settlers per day peaked at intermediate chl a values across weeks. Individual characteristics of larvae that settled in 2014-2015 were consistent with a poor feeding environment. Although settlers were longer in length in 2014-15, fish in these years had slower larval otolith growth, a longer larval duration, and a trend towards lower condition, traits that are often associated with lower survival and recruitment. This study suggests that future settlement and recruitment of P. maculatofasciatus and other fishes with similar life histories may be adversely affected in southern California if ocean temperatures continue to rise in the face of climate change.

Non-intrusive OSNR measurement of polarization-multiplexed signals with spectral shaping and subject to fiber non-linearity with minimum channel spacing of 37.5GHz.

A non-intrusive OSNR measurement technique relying on the detailed spectral comparison of an optical signal with its "noise-free" spectrum is described, including mathematical basis, validity conditions and algorithmic steps. The technique's performance is experimentally demonstrated with 100G PM-QPSK and 200G PM-16QAM signals subject to fiber non-linearity induced by 100G PM-QPSK and 10G NRZ-OOK neighbors. The OSNR measurement performance is also demonstrated when root-raised cosine spectral shaping is applied to the signals, with channel spacings of 50GHz and 37.5GHz. Experimental results for OSNR levels up to 30dB and launch powers up to 3dB above the optimum BER launch conditions are shown for different system and signal configurations.

Experimental study of cross-phase modulation reduction in hybrid systems with co-propagating 100G PM-QPSK and 10G OOK.

We experimentally investigate various methods for reducing cross-phase modulation in hybrid networks with mixed 100G and 10G traffic. The experimental results over standard single-mode and non-zero dispersion-shifted fiber types demonstrate the effectiveness of several different XPM reduction techniques as well as the interplay between them. Nonlinear transmission performance is quantified using the Nonlinear Threshold metric as a function of key system features, including DCM type, dispersion map, spectral guard bands, and carrier phase estimation window size. Fiber Bragg grating-based DCMs are shown to offer a distinct advantage over fiber-based DCMs under certain conditions, particularly in dispersion-managed systems with very strong XPM. The average walk-off per span is introduced as a simple yet effective metric to compare different methods of XPM mitigation.