DPSK Error Correction using Multi-Bit Detection for Enhanced Sensitivity and Compensation of Impairments

We demonstrate a novel, multiple-bit DPSK detection scheme, capable of correcting isolated bit errors using simple logic gates, without an increase in the transmission rate. Simulations predict a 0.4 dB back-back gain, 0.85 dB in the presence of 1 radian of nonlinear phase noise, and further increased gains in the presence of receiver impairments. A 2 dB OSNR gain is realized experimentally at a BER of le-3 using this error correction scheme.