Carrier phase estimation for optically coherent QPSK based on Wiener-optimal and adaptive Multi-Symbol Delay Detection (MSDD)

The MSDD carrier phase estimation technique is derived here for optically coherent QPSK transmission, introducing the principle of operation while providing intuitive insight in terms of a multi-symbol extension of naïve delay-detection. We derive here for the first time Wiener-optimized and LMS-adapted versions of MSDD, introduce simplified hardware realizations, and evaluate complexity and numerical performance tradeoffs of this highly robust and low-complexity carrier phase recovery method. A multiplier-free carrier phase recovery version of the MSDD provides nearly optimal performance for linewidths up to ~0.5 MHz, whereas for wider linewidths, the Wiener or LMS versions provide optimal performance at about 9 taps, using 1 or 2 complex multipliers per tap.