Advances in optical technologies and techniques for high capacity communications

The paper offers a survey on recent advances in the technological platforms for photonic integrated optical transceivers and innovative transmission techniques supporting the capacity increase of optical networks, in view of forthcoming 5G requirements. Both indium phosphide (InP) and silicon (Si) platforms are considered, highlighting the most significant advantages of the two technologies and reporting on reference implementations of high-speed transmitters and receivers. Techniques to increase transmission capacity are discussed, with a goal to satisfy the specific and demanding constraints existing in the different optical network segments in terms of capacity, optical reach, maximum tolerated latency, and implementation cost. Finally, perspectives of the developed networks are addressed, focusing on techno-economic aspects and multivendor interoperability.