Real-time all-optical signal equalisation with silicon photonic recurrent neural networks

Communication through optical fibres experiences limitations due to chromatic dispersion and nonlinear Kerr effects that degrade the signal. Mitigating these impairments is typically done using complex digital signal processing algorithms. However, these equalisation methods require significant power consumption and introduce high latencies. Photonic reservoir computing (a subfield of neural networks) offers an alternative solution, processing signals in the analog optical Domain. In this work, we present to our knowledge the very first experimental demonstration of real-time online equalisation of fibre distortions using a silicon photonics chip that combines the recurrent reservoir and the programmable readout layer. We successfully equalize a 28 Gbps on-off keying signal across varying power levels and fibre lengths, even in the highly nonlinear regime. We obtain bit error rates orders of magnitude below previously reported optical equalisation methods, reaching as low as 4e-7 , far below the generic forward error correction limit of 5.8e-5 used in commercial Ethernet interfaces. Also, simulations show that simply by removing delay lines, the system becomes compatible with line rates of 896 Gpbs. Using wavelength multiplexing, this can result in a throughput in excess of 89.6 Tbps. Finally, incorporating non-volatile phase shifters, the power consumption can be less than 6 fJ/bit.