Simulation of silicon photonic coherent PM-QPSK transceivers using microring modulators

Silicon photonic components are key enablers for low-cost, compact, and reduced power-consumption coherent transceivers. This paper discusses models used to analyze the performance of silicon photonic ring modulators in coherent links, and presents simulation results for 32- and 16-Gbaud PM-QPSK back-to-back transceivers incorporating these modulators in comparison with designs using LiNbO3 MZMs. While the penalty at 32 Gbaud is high, at 16 Gbaud the ring modulator performance approaches that of the MZM, with a sensitivity penalty of only 1.3 dB. Our results also show the strong temperature sensitivity of the ring modulator.