Implementation of an optical fiber frequency distribution via commercial DWDM

Abstract

The rapid development in communication infrastructure over the past decades entails an increasing dependence on time and frequency, as well as its redundant distribution. This places demands not only on already existing distribution methods, but also on the development of new ones to meet future needs. To meet these demands several research groups are working on high performance fiber-based frequency transfer techniques. The best achieved performance so far is the techniques using a single bi-directional fiber connection, with customized bi-directional optical amplifiers [1]. The objective of this project is to develop a method that is compatible with data communication in DWDM-systems, i.e. using the existing infrastructure, as well as to be complementary technique for time and frequency distribution. Even though it is likely to have worse performance than the bi-directional system in terms of frequency stability, it will allow for the impassable obligation to follow the deployed structure of telecom networks. The establishment and early results of the non-stabilized link has been previously presented [2, 3]. The ongoing evaluation and improvement will be aimed at finding relevant performance specifications for a connection using this technique. The work presented here is the most recent results of the frequency transfer and discusses the future plans for the fiber connection, including the added time transfer method. If proven successful, the long-term objective is to establish a distribution network for optical frequency references in Sweden.