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.
The resulting multiplex, called a super-channel (or superchannel), creates a multi-wavelength signal in which each wavelength will operate at the maximum data rate permitted by commercially available ADC components.
These techniques include orthogonal-band-multiplexed (OBM)-orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM), no-guard-interval (NGI)-OFDM, Nyquist WDM, multi-channel equalization (MCE)-WDM (also named as Joint ICI Cancellation) Early work on DWDM super-channels included attempts using multiple laser sources, and wavelength combs generated from a single source – a form of optical orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (Optical OFDM).
Infinera is making use of their large scale photonic integrated circuit (PIC) technology, while the other system vendors are building super-channel line cards using predominantly discrete optical components.
Alcatel-Lucent, Ciena and Huawei have all announced dual carrier, 200-Gbit/s PM-QPSK super-channel designs that can also operate at 400 Gbit/s using a shorter optical reach PM-16QAM modulation.