Error performance of OFDM-QAM in subcarrier multiplexed fiber-optic transmission

Error performance of OFDM-QAM signals is analyzed for subcarrier multiplexed (SCM) fiber-optic video transmission, particularly for hybrid AM/OFDM systems. In comparison with conventional M-QAM signals, it is shown that the OFDM system provides significant performance improvements in terms of bit-error rate (BER), channel capacity, and operating range of the optical modulation depth, in the lightwave SCM environment where both the clipping impulse noise and Gaussian noise are present. As a result, the OFDM signals will introduce less interference effects on the nominal AM channels than the M-QAM signals under the same operating conditions.