Recent Advances in Real-Time GPU-Based Digital Signal Processing for Optical Communications

The use of general purpose graphics processing unit for real-time digital signal processing of optical signals for long distance transmission is demonstrated. We show an implementation of the Kramers-Kronig coherent receiver capable of processing 1GBaud 4-, 8-, 16-, 32-, and 64-QAM minimum phase signals. We evaluate a 91km field trial link as well as a straight-line 10000km link with multiple modulation formats. We discuss the real-time implementation as well as its long term stability. Finally, we discuss future applications of this technology. In particular for dedicated long distance communications between data centers.