SDM for Power-Efficient Undersea Transmission

We discuss space division multiplexing as a means of increasing link capacity for power limited transmission in undersea communication. Theoretical study of erbium-doped fiber amplifiers-based space division multiplexing (SDM) transmission shows the existence of optimal values of spectral efficiency, signal-to-noise ratio, and span length that maximize power efficiency. We experimentally confirm the existence of an optimal spectral efficiency and demonstrate power efficient SDM transmission using 12-core multicore fiber. Modulation format, amplifier, and link design are discussed in connection to SDM power efficient transmission.