Abstract
In this paper we characterize the impact transmitter imperfections have on two modulators capable of generating arbitrary quadrature waveforms. Power penalties are generated via Mont-Carlo simulations for 16-QAM and QPSK coherent waveforms. It is shown that the single dual-drive design experiences an increased robustness to transmitter imperfections while, simultaneously reducing cost and complexity. 16-QAM is shown to be much more sensitive to transmitter impairments than QPSK.
© 2006 Optical Society of America
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