On line rates, information rates, and spectral efficiencies in probabilistically shaped QAM systems.

We carefully revisit the definitions of line rates, information rates, and spectral efficiencies in probabilistically shaped optical transmission systems. Generally accepted definitions for uniform quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) systems are extended to more generally apply to systems with probabilistically shaped QAM, as well as to systems using pilot symbols of different QAM order than the information symbols. Based on the proper definitions, we correct erroneous claims in a recently reported work.