Power-code division non-orthogonal multiple access scheme for next-generation passive optical networks

Advanced modulation and multiple access schemes with high spectral efficiencies are desirable to overcome the bandwidth limitation in low-cost optical and electrical devices to fulfill the high-data rate requirements in passive optical networks (PONs). We propose a non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) scheme, known as power-code division NOMA (PCD-NOMA), for the next-generation PON, where the optical network units (ONUs) are divided into several groups with similar path losses. The ONUs per groups are allocated in the same power domain multiplexing layer with different codebooks. We show by experimental demonstration that the proposed PCD-NOMA with a high spectral efficiency offers improved overall system performance and reduced required transmission power in the next-generation PON, particularly in flexible PON where ONUs have different path losses. For PON with a power difference loss of 14 dB, the reduced required transmission powers are 5 and 11 dB for downstream and upstream, respectively, compared with orthogonal frequency division multiple access.