We demonstrate a mitigation of fiber nonlinearity based on μ-law companding transform in coherent optical OFDM transmissions. High peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) increases fiber nonlinear impairments caused by the Kerr effect in optical fiber. The μ-law companding modifies amplitude profile of OFDM signal with time domain signal processing, which reduces high PAPR of OFDM signal. The effects of companding parameter on noise enhancement and PAPR variation are presented. The impacts of companding transform on system performances are evaluated in a single polarization system as well as polarization multiplexed system. The resolution of analog-to-digital converter (ADC), dispersion map of transmission link, and launch power tolerance are also considered. The results of bit-error-rate (BER) measurements show that the μ-law companding improves OSNR margin over 5.5 dB after transmission of 1,040 km over SMF.
© 2011 Optical Society of America