We propose and demonstrate the use of subcarrier/polarization-interleaved training symbols for channel estimation and synchronization in polarization-division multiplexed (PDM) coherent optical orthogonal frequency-division multiplexed (CO-OFDM) transmission. The principle, the computational efficiency, and the frequency-offset tolerance of the proposed method are described. We show that the use of subcarrier/polarization interleaving doubles the tolerance to the frequency offset between the transmit laser and the receiver's optical local oscillator as compared to conventional schemes. Using this method, we demonstrate 43-Gb/s PDM CO-OFDM transmission with 16-QAM subcarrier modulation over 5,200-km of ultra-large-area fiber.
© 2011 Optical Society of America