Systems and methods for autonomous signal modulation format identification are disclosed. In an example embodiment of the disclosed technology, a method includes applying higher-order statistics to an input signal to identify the input signal's modulation format. The method may include applying higher-order statistics to the input signal to calculate higher-order cumulant values for the input signal as higher-order cumulants are indicative of a particular modulation format signature. The method may further include employing a decision tree to determine the modulation format of the input signal.

An optical receiver is described. Using silicon-photonic components that support a single polarization, the output of an optical receiver is independent of the polarization of an optical signal. In particular, using a polarization-diversity technique, the two orthogonal polarizations in a single-mode optical fiber are split in two and processed independently. For example, the two optical signals may be provided by a polarization-splitting grating coupler. Subsequently, a redistribution element provides mixtures of the two optical signals. Next, a wavelength channel in the two mixed optical signals is selected using a wavelength-selective filter (for example, using ring-resonator drop filters or an echelle grating) and converted into an electrical signal at an optical detector (such as a photodetector) to achieve polarization-independent operation.

An optical receiver is described. Using silicon-photonic components that support a single polarization, the output of an optical receiver is independent of the polarization of an optical signal. In particular, using a polarization-diversity technique, the two orthogonal polarizations in a single-mode optical fiber are split in two and processed independently. For example, the two optical signals may be provided by a polarization-splitting grating coupler. Subsequently, a redistribution element provides mixtures of the two optical signals. Next, a wavelength channel in the two mixed optical signals is selected using a wavelength-selective filter (for example, using ring-resonator drop filters or an echelle grating) and converted into an electrical signal at an optical detector (such as a photodetector) to achieve polarization-independent operation.

An integrated photonic component (1) is provided with improved centering of an optical field image of a wavelength division multiplexing, WDM, optical output signal and a common output waveguide (8). In this way an efficient power coupling of the laser diodes of the integrated photonic component to the common output waveguide is achievable. Also provided is a photonic integrated circuit, PIC, for use in a WDM optical communication system, the PIC including the integrated photonic component. A method of improving centering of an optical field image of a WDM signal and a common output waveguide of at least one of the integrated photonic component and the PIC are also described.

A polarization demultiplexing optical communication receiver is provided with a signal quality change imparting means which imparts a signal quality change to multiplexed two optical signals; and a signal quality monitoring means which compares signal qualities of the two optical signals with each other after the multiplexed two optical signals imparted with the signal quality change are subjected to polarization separation so as to specify the two optical signals based on a result of the comparison. This makes it possible to reduce transmission characteristics degradation of a polarization-multiplexed optical signal, and to implement transmission having high reliability.

A polarization demultiplexing optical communication receiver is provided with a signal quality change imparting means which imparts a signal quality change to multiplexed two optical signals; and a signal quality monitoring means which compares signal qualities of the two optical signals with each other after the multiplexed two optical signals imparted with the signal quality change are subjected to polarization separation so as to specify the two optical signals based on a result of the comparison. This makes it possible to reduce transmission characteristics degradation of a polarization-multiplexed optical signal, and to implement transmission having high reliability.

A data storage system is disclosed that includes a recirculating loop storing data in motion. The data may be carried by a signal via the loop including one or more satellites or other vessels that return, for example by reflection or regeneration, the signals through the loop. The loop may also include a waveguide, for example an optical fiber, or an optical cavity. Signal multiplexing may be used to increase the contained data. The signal may be amplified at each roundtrip and sometimes a portion of the signal may be regenerated.

A data storage system is disclosed that includes a recirculating loop storing data in motion. The data may be carried by a signal via the loop including one or more satellites or other vessels that return, for example by reflection or regeneration, the signals through the loop. The loop may also include a waveguide, for example an optical fiber, or an optical cavity. Signal multiplexing may be used to increase the contained data. The signal may be amplified at each roundtrip and sometimes a portion of the signal may be regenerated.

An optical system is provided including a light source configured to emit a light; and a polarizing splitting multiplexing device including a first prism configured to split the light into two polarized light beams having different optical path lengths, and a second prism configured to combine the two polarized light beams. The first prism includes a first reflective surface and a first polarization splitting surface facing the first reflective surface, and the second prism includes a second reflective surface and a second polarization splitting surface facing the second reflective surface.

An optical system is provided including a light source configured to emit a light; and a polarizing splitting multiplexing device including a first prism configured to split the light into two polarized light beams having different optical path lengths, and a second prism configured to combine the two polarized light beams. The first prism includes a first reflective surface and a first polarization splitting surface facing the first reflective surface, and the second prism includes a second reflective surface and a second polarization splitting surface facing the second reflective surface.