Single-photodiode per polarization receiver with signal-signal beat interference suppression through heterodyne detection

We show that a simplified, single-photodiode per polarization heterodyne receiver is able to directly suppress signal-signal beat interference (SSBI), without the need for cancellation in the digital domain. We characterize performance degradation due to SSBI, and show that a strong LO in the receiver can mitigate SSBI. Transmission of 400 Gb/s-class signals is shown over single fiber spans of up to 160 km, and over field-deployed metropolitan area fiber. These results indicate that a single photodiode can be used to receive complex optical signals in high speed fiber systems without the need for SSBI cancellation in the digital domain.