System and method for communication using orbital angular momentum with multiple layer overlay modulation

A method for transmitting a plurality of input streams over a link, comprising:

• applying an orbital angular momentum (OAM) to each of a first group of a plurality of input signals using mode division multiplexing (MDM) processing circuitry;
• multiplexing the OAM processed signals together using the mode division multiplexing (MDM) processing circuitry to generate a MDM processed signal;
• multiplexing a second group of the plurality of input signals using wavelength distribution multiplexing (WDM) to generate a WDM processed signal, wherein the WDM processed signals and the MDM processed signals are orthogonal to one another;
• combining the WDM processed signals and the MDM processed signals using combining circuitry;
• adding polarization to at least one of the WDM processed signals and the MDM processed signals using polarization processing circuitry;
• and
• transmitting the combine and polarized processed signal over a link using a transmitter.

A system, comprising:

• mode division multiplexing (MDM) processing circuitry for applying an orbital angular momentum (OAM) to each of a first group of a plurality of input signals and multiplexing the OAM processed signals together, wherein the mode division multiplexing processing circuitry further comprises circuitry for processing the second group of the plurality of input signals to associate with each of the second group of the plurality of input signals a Hermite polynomial to cause each of the second group of the plurality of input signals to be mutually orthogonal to each other to enable transmission of each of the second group of the plurality of input signals on the link at a same time;
• second processing circuitry for wavelength distribution multiplexing (WDM) to a second group of the plurality of input signals, wherein the WDM processed signals and the MDM processed signals are orthogonal to one another;
• combining circuitry for combining the WDM processed signals and the MDM processed signals;
• polarization processing circuitry for adding at least one of left-hand polarization and right-hand polarization to at least one of the WDM processed signals and the MDM processed signals;
• and
• a transmitter for transmitting the combine and polarized processed signal over a link.