Super-channel

A super-channel is an evolution in Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) in which multiple, coherent optical carriers are combined to create a unified channel of a higher data rate, and which is brought into service in a single operational cycle.

Background

From around the year 2010, coherent optical transmission at 40Gbit/s and 100Gbit/s began to be deployed in long haul optical networks around the world. Coherent technology enables higher data rates to be sent over long haul (typically >2,000 km) optical transmission networks, compared to the historical modulation and detection technique, Intensity Modulation with Direct Detection (sometimes referred to as Non-Return to Zero, NRZ or On/Off Keying, OOK), which had been widely used for several decades.

However, a coherent detector requires that the incoming phase modulation information is digitized before being sent to a high performance digital signal processor (DSP). Within the DSP, optical impairments such as chromatic dispersion and polarization mode dispersion can be compensated for. Digitizing the received signal requires an extremely high speed analog-to-digital converter (ADC) capability. Current commercially deployed coherent products are limited to 200 Gbit/s per optical carrier.

SuperChannel

SuperChannel, Super Channel or Super-channel may refer to:

Television channels:

Technology:

See also

Super Channel (Canada)

Super Channel is a Canadian English language Category A premium cable and satellite television channel that is owned by the Allard family through Allarco Entertainment 2008, Inc. Super Channel's programming primarily includes theatrically released motion pictures and original television series, along with boxing and mixed martial arts matches, and occasional stand-up comedy specials.

The current Super Channel service was launched in 2007, and is not affiliated with the two pre-existing English-language premium channels which used the name at various times prior to 2001, which are now known as Movie Central (in Western Canada) and The Movie Network (in Eastern Canada). The Allards were the original owners of what is now Movie Central, and later re-acquired rights to the Superchannel trademark. Unlike these two regional services, Super Channel is authorized to operate across Canada, making it the country's only national general-interest pay television service (in legal technicalities, it is also one of two national pay television services in Canada, alongside Family Channel, although that service operates as a de facto basic tier specialty channel in most areas).