Inserting a cyclic prefix using arrayed-waveguide grating routers in all-optical OFDM transmitters

Arrayed-Waveguide Grating Routers (AWGR) can be used as multiplexers and demultiplexers in optical OFDM systems, as they provide both the serial-to-parallel converter and the optical Fourier transform in one component. This paper shows how the design of the AWGR at the transmitter can be modified to insert a cyclic prefix or postfix (CP). We use simulations of a 4-subcarrier system to compare systems without the CP, with a guard-interval, and with a CP. We show that the CP greatly improves the orthogonality of the subcarriers and resilience to timing errors. Furthermore, the CP allows for uncompensated fiber dispersion, especially if the relative timing of the subcarriers upon transmission is adjusted. (c) 2012 Optical Society of America