Experimental demonstration of time- and mode-division multiplexed passive optical network

A time- and mode-division multiplexed passive optical network (TMDM-PON) architecture is proposed, in which each optical network unit (ONU) communicates with the optical line terminal (OLT) independently utilizing both different time slots and switched optical linearly polarized (LP) spatial modes. Combination of a mode multiplexer/demultiplexer (MUX/DEUX) and a simple N × 1 optical switch is employed to select the specific LP mode in each ONU. A mode-insensitive power splitter is used for signal broadcast/combination between OLT and ONUs. We theoretically propose a dynamic mode and time slot assignment scheme for TMDM-PON based on inter-ONU priority rating, in which the time delay and packet loss ratio's variation tendency are investigated by simulation. Moreover, we experimentally demonstrate 2-mode TMDM-PON transmission over 10 km FMF with 10-Gb/s on-off keying (OOK) signal and direct detection.