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Procedia Computer Science 00 (2018) 000–000
Procedia Computer Science 00 (2018) 000–000 www.elsevier.com/locate/procedia
ScienceDirect www.elsevier.com/locate/procedia

Procedia Computer Science 134 (2018) 196–203

The 13th International Conference on Future Networks and Communications

The 13th International Conference on 2018)
(FNC Future Networks and Communications
(FNC 2018)
Simulation Platform of Optical Transmission System in Matlab
Simulation Platform of Optical Transmission System in Matlab
Simulink
Simulink
Pavol Šalík*, Rastislav Róka, Tomáš Gorazd
Pavol Šalík*, Rastislav Róka, Tomáš Gorazd
Slovak University of Technology, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies
Institute
Slovak University of Multimedia
of Technology, Information
Faculty and Communication
of Electrical Engineering andTechnologies
Information Technologies
Ilkovičova
Institute of Multimedia 3, 812 19 Bratislava,
Information Slovakia Technologies
and Communication
Ilkovičova 3, 812 19 Bratislava, Slovakia

Abstract
Abstract
This paper deals with simulation platform of optical transmission system in Matlab Simulink. A detailed mathematical
This paper deals
methodology withto simulation
in order platform
accurately model partsofofoptical
optical transmission
transmission system isinpresented.
Matlab Simulink. A detailed
The simulation mathematical
platform is suitable
methodology
for simulationinsingle
order channel
to accurately model
optical parts of optical
transmission system.transmission
The selectedsystem is presented.
approach takes intoThe simulation
account noisesplatform is suitable
that occurs on the
for simulation
parts of optical single channelsystem.
transmission optical transmission system. The selected approach takes into account noises that occurs on the
parts of optical transmission system.
© 2018
© 2018 The
The Authors.
Authors.Published
PublishedbybyElsevier
ElsevierLtd.
Ltd.
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/)
© 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-NDLtd. license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 13th International Conference on Future Networks and
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/).
Communications, FNC-2018 and the 15th International Conference on Mobile Systems and Pervasive Computing, MobiSPC 2018.
Keywords: Simulation, Simulink, Optical transmission system, DFB laser, Mach-Zender Modulator
Keywords: Simulation, Simulink, Optical transmission system, DFB laser, Mach-Zender Modulator

1. Introduction
1. Introduction
Ultra capacity and high speed optical communications have become essential techniques for backbone
Ultra capacity
transmission and Due
networks. high tospeed optical
increased communications
demands for the data have become speed
transmission essential techniques
(100Gb⋅s -1 for channel)
per one backbone is
-1
transmission
very important networks.
to avoidDue to increased
expensive demands
practical for the data
demonstration and transmission
testing [1,2]. speed (100Gb⋅s
Therefore, per oneto channel)
is important search foris
very important
modelling to avoid
platform expensive
which practical
will be able demonstration
to accurately andbehaviour
describe testing [1,2]. Therefore,
of different is important
parts of optical to search for
transmission
modelling
under platform
different which
working will be able
conditions to accurately
and their describe
limitations. Such abehaviour of different
system must be basedparts of optical transmission
on measurement parameters
under different
in order working
to predict conditions and
its performance. their limitations.
Commercial Such
simulation a systemare
softwares must be expensive
often based on measurement
and not easilyparameters
adaptive.
in order
Many of to
thempredict its based
are not performance. Commercial
on measurements simulation
parameters andsoftwares are often expensive
the data extraction for further and not easily
processing adaptive.
is difficult if
Many of them
even possible. are not based on measurements parameters and the data extraction for further processing is difficult if
even possible.

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +421918390804;

* E-mail address:
Corresponding xsalik@stuba.sk
author. Tel.: +421918390804;
E-mail address: xsalik@stuba.sk
1877-0509 © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
This is an open
1877-0509 access
© 2018 Thearticle under
Authors. the CC BY-NC-ND
Published license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/).
by Elsevier Ltd.
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/).

1877-0509 © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/)
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 13th International Conference on Future Networks and
Communications, FNC-2018 and the 15th International Conference on Mobile Systems and Pervasive Computing, MobiSPC 2018.
10.1016/j.procs.2018.07.162
 Pavol Šalík et al. / Procedia Computer Science 134 (2018) 196–203 197
2 Pavol Salik/ Procedia Computer Science 00 (2015) 000–000

Therefore, we have decided to create our own simulation platform based on Matlab Simulink, which has become the
universal modelling tool in most universities and research laboratories around the world. In this paper there is
optical simulation platform presented. This optical simulation platform is extension of our previous work [3,4,5].
The optical simulation platform consists of models of optical components listed bellow

 Bernoulli data generator

 Continues wave Distributed feedback laser (CW-DFB)
 Mach – Zender interferometric modulator
 Optical transmission fiber
 Mach – Zender interferometric demodulator

The document is organized as follows. The theoretical background for separate optical components listed above is
described in the next section. The third section contains description of the simulation platform and simulation
results. Finally, there is representation of results and conclusion of our work.

2. Modelling approach

2.1. DFB Laser

The dynamic properties of laser can be modelled via coupled rate equations listed in (1) – (3). These equations
describe inner interactions between electron number N(t), photon number S(t) and optical phase of photons Φ(t).
This approach takes into account fluctuations of parameters described below and using the coupled rate equations is
possible to create efficient numerical model of DFB laser source [6].

dN (t ) I (t) N (t) N (t)  N 0

  g S (t )  FN (t ) (1)
dt q n 1   S (t)

dS (t ) N (t)  N0 S (t)  N (t)

 g S (t )    FS (t ) (2)
dt 1   S (t) p n

d (t ) 
 g  N (t)  N avg   F (t ) (3)
dt 2
Where g is gain slope constant coefficient, N0 is carrier denisty at transparency, ε is gain compression factor, τp is the
photon lifetime, β is the sponataneous emission coupled into lasing mode, I(t) is the injection current, q is the
electron charge, τn is the electron lifetime, α is the linewidth enchancement factor, Navg is the time averaged carrier
number. For simulation purposes is it necessary to take into account noise parameters which are representing
intensity phase and frequency fluctuations. These fluctuations are caused by the spontaneous emission, electron hole
recombination, and can be assumed to be langevin noise sources Fi(t), where i can be substituted with S,n or θ
depending on the equation in which it is used. More about noise source modelling for DFB laser can be found in
[7], [8],[9].
Numerical results of output parameters of the DFB laser, were obtained using fourth-order Runge-Kutta algorithm
using a short interval of Δt = 10 ps. The rate equations in the laser model are presented in a form containing only
parameters that were extracted from measurements. More about extraction process and parameters used in this
simulation can be found in [6].
Time variations of output laser characteristics for the steady-state mode of the DFB laser (continues wave lasing
mode). (N(t), S(t), θ(t)) can be seen in Fig.1.
198 Author
Pavolname
Šalík/ Procedia Computer
et al. / Procedia ScienceScience
Computer 00 (2015)
134000–000
(2018) 196–203 3

Fig. 1. Time variations of steady-state of (a) electron number; (b) photon number; (c) lasing frequency fluctuation

In these equations, nonlinear and diffusion effects are lumped together as field-dependent optical gain compression.
The term 1/(1+εS(t)) used in (1), (2) is the best option for numerical solution of the DFB lasers with high photon
density, according to [10]. The simulation platform is focused on external modulation, therefore the optical
feedback, which represents the light reflection on connector connected to optical fiber, can be neglected. If one
wants to consider light reflections, the equations (1) - (3) will be no longer suitable.
For accurate results, it is important to keep the condition that bias current have to be greater the threshold current.
These measurements are simulated for I=12.9 mA. Threshold current is according to [6] Ith= 9.93 mA.

Fig. 2. (a) output power fluctuation; (b) phase fluctuation; (c) power spectrum

Output power fluctuation, fluctuation of phase and output power spectrum is displayed in Fig. 2. Central lasing
frequency is set to 1550 nm which is equals to 193.1 THz in frequency domain. According to [11] is better to use
transmitted light in form of complex envelope in baseband than the high frequency signal, if it meets the condition
that frequency of optical signal is much larger that the spectral bandwidth of optical signal. The frequency used for
purpose of optical transmission is too high to fulfil sampling theorem, therefore is need of adjustment of optical
carrier-

2.2. Mach-Zender interferometric modulator

Mach-Zender interferometric modulator (MZIM) is optical intensity modulator, which operates on principle of
interference of optical field of two lightwave components. The input waveguide structure splits input lightwave in
two arms. The attenuation in each waveguide is normally 3dB. Each arm of the modulator contains LiNbO3 crystal
which employs a phase modulation due to driving current. The lightwaves from two arms are coupled at the output
of the MZIM. For simulation platform a single drive MZIM is used, which means there is only single RF voltage
driving on arms of modulator.
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4 Pavol Salik/ Procedia Computer Science 00 (2015) 000–000

Transmitted optical filed E(t) can be written as:

EiRMS jct j1 (t )

E0 e e  e j2 (t )  (4)
2
Where ωc is the carrier frequency, E(t) is transmitted optical field EiRMS is the root mean square value of the carrier
and θ1(t), θ2(t) are the temporal phase changes in LiNBO3.
In the Fig. 5 can be seen function of MZIM in Simulink simulation platform.

Fig. 3. Simulink MZIM demonstration

Fig. 3 describes Simulink model of MZIM. Data stream is shaped as a Gaussian pulse. In arm 1 driving voltage
causes phase shift π when logical 0 occurs. Second arm of the MZIM is without phase shift. Finally, two arms are
coupled together and produces output modulated signal. Signal from DFB is interpreted as a complex envelope.
Phase chirps are caused by single drive constellation and can be removed by push-pull constellation of MZIM.

2.3. Optical receiver

The photodetector is a key element of optical receiver situated on the end of the optical transmission system. For
the optical receiver is most used PIN diode (PIN) and Avalanche Photodiode (APD). In our Simulink platform the
model of PIN diode is used. Important parameters of the receiver are the input signal power and sum of noise
sources at the receiver [13].
The received optical signal is influenced by different sources of receiver noises including:
quantum shot noise yield as:

1
iS  2qI p B (5)
 PD
200 Pavol Šalík et al. / Procedia Computer Science 134 (2018) 196–203
Author name / Procedia Computer Science 00 (2015) 000–000 5

Thermal (Johnson) noise is given by:

1
iT  2 k BTRB (6)
 PD

Dark noise can be written as:

1
iQ  2qI dc B (7)
 PD

Where q is the electron charge, Ip is the photocurrent, B is the electrical signal of the bandwidth attenuated by 3dB,
kbis the Boltzmann constant, T is the absolute temperature and R is the load resistance, ηPD is the quantum efficiency
of a photo diode and idc the dark current.
The receiver generates electrons which are amplified through implemented a gain [13][14].

2.4. EDFA amplifier

EDFA amplifier can be constructed in Simulink as embed Matlab function. This function is able to calculate the
EDFA gain based on the amplitude of the received signal, the pumping power, operating wavelength and the length
of used erbium fiber. Noise source of EDFA can be assumed to be Gausian random process with zero mean value.
EDFA gain apllied to input signal can be shown in (8)

   P 
W1 2 s 1 2 ase  W1 3
s  1 2   2 1   hcA 
PSout PSin e  N    s  1 2  L (8)
A  1
 W1 2  W2 1  s  1 2   2 1  P ASE W13  
 hcA  

where Γs is the overlap factor, λ is the signal wavelength, σ1-2 is the absorption factor due to signal σ2-1 is the emission
factor due to, σ1-3 is absorption factor due to pump signal, σ3-1 is emission factor due to pump signal, W transition
rates between the energy states, τ is the electron lift time, h je Planck constant, PASE is the noise power, L is the
length of the erbium doped fiber, c speed of the light, A is the core area of EDF and Psin is the power of input signal.
List of extracted paramters for simulating EDFA can be found in [15]

3. Simulation platform in Matlab Simulink R2017b

The whole simulation platform is performed in Matlab R2017b Simulink software. In Fig. 4 there is displayed
model of optical transmission system including following parts. Bernoulli generator (green) represents data stream

Fig. 4. Schematics of simulation platform of optical transmission system

6 Pavol Salik/ Procedia Computer Science 00 (2015) 000–000
Pavol Šalík et al. / Procedia Computer Science 134 (2018) 196–203 201

which leads to the block of MZIM. Bernoulli generator data are shaped as Gaussian wave, to maintain shape of real
generated data. DFB laser block contains model of DFB laser in continues mode wave lasing, on which is modulated
our information data from data stream. Central lasing wavelength is λ=1550 nm. SMF represents model of single
mode optical fiber. In this modulation is used fiber with these parameters: length l=80km, polarization mode
dispersion (PMD=10 ps/nm.km), chromatic dispersion (CD=10 ps/nnm.km), total attenuation ( atotal = 16,8 dB).
Block eye diagram and constellation are used to evaluate transmitted signal, and estimate bit error rate of that signal.
The optical signal is transferred using On – Off keying modulation format with data speed 10Gbs-1.
In Fig.5 can be found internal mechanics of MZIM and its phase shifter used in upper arm. First the lightwave must
be attenuated by 3dB to simulate splitter at the input of MZIM. Then is light processed in two separate arms of
MZIM. Lightwave in lower arm remain unchanged, while lightwave in upper arm have a phase change according to
data stream. Phase sifter works as follows. Randomly generated Gaussian pulses from data stream are multiplied by
π. This converts data stream to a range of radian values (π for logical “1” and zero for logical ”0”). The MZIM
generates phase shift of 180 degrees only if a zero is required at modulator output. This causes that for logical “1” is
zero-degree phase shift generated (-π+ π=0) and for logical “0” is 180-degree phase shift generated (0+ π= π)

Fig. 5. a) Schematics of the MZIM b) schematics of the phase shifter

Model of optical fiber is constructed on the basis of addition of negative effects to transmitted light, included in real
optical fiber. In Fig. 6 can be seen schematics of model of optical transmission fiber where each block represents
one negative effect in real optical fiber. This model of optical transmission fiber was part of our previous work.
Detailed description of this model can be found in [3].

Fig. 6. Schematics of the optical transmission fiber

In Fig. 7 there is optical receiver displayed. We use only one channel transmission in presented model, hence no
filters are needed in optical receiver model. First, the optical signal is amplified by the EDFA amplifier. ENoise
source representing the EFA noise is added to the amplified signal. Further, the signal is sent to the photodiode that
provides the conversion from an optical signal to an electrical signal. The noise sources associated with the
photodiode are added to the signal. Then is the signal sent into measurements blocks in order to estimate Q factor
and the bit error rate.
202 Pavol Šalík et al. / Procedia Computer Science 134 (2018) 196–203
Author name / Procedia Computer Science 00 (2015) 000–000 7

Fig. 7. Schematics of the optical receiver

Eye diagram of transmitted OOK pulse can be seen in the Fig. 10. An eye diagram is a common indicator of the
quality of signals in high-speed digital transmissions. Bit error rate can be estimated using many methods (Monte-
Carlo, MGD method, GPD method, …). Bit error rate can be computed using Q factor, which can be extracted from
eye diagram as follows:

I1  I 0
Q (9)
1   0

Fig. 8. Eye diagram of transmitted OOK pulse after 80km

In this simulation Q= 19.13 which yields BER= 7.1037e-82. In optical communications we can consider BER
bellow 1 x 10-12 as error free communication since that means that only one bit of 1 000 000 000 000 is incorrectly
received.
 Pavol Šalík et al. / Procedia Computer Science 134 (2018) 196–203 203
8 Pavol Salik/ Procedia Computer Science 00 (2015) 000–000

4. Conclusion

A complex simulation for optical transmission system created in Matlab Simulink R2017b has been presented.
Simulations are based on detailed mathematical methodology presented in this article.
This paper is part of dissertation thesis dedicated to creation of simulation platform simulation platform of optical
transmission system in Matlab Simulink
The main benefit of this simulation software is that the optics models are based on equations that contain parameters
extracted by measuring from real devices. The possibility of additional data storage and processing is more flexible
than in commercial softwares. The presented simulation platform has showed fundamental characteristics properties
which are important to implement it in further numerical simulation platform.

5. Acknowledgement

This work is a part of research activities conducted at Slovak University of Technology Bratislava, Faculty of
Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Institute of Multimedia Information and Communication
Technologies, within the scope of projects VEGA agency project - 1/0462/17 “Modelling of qualitative parameters
in IMS networks”, and KEGA No. 007STU-4/2016 “Progressive educational methods in the field of
telecommunications multiservice networks”.

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