Multicore fiber transmission systems and methods

An optical access network, comprising:

• a plurality of passive optical network transceivers;
• a plurality of optical splitters;
• and
• a multichannel transmission link having a first end connected to the plurality of passive optical network transceivers and a second end connected to the plurality of optical splitters to form a plurality of parallel transmission channels therebetween,
• wherein the multichannel transmission link comprises at least one span of a multicore fiber with a plurality of individual cores, and
• wherein the multichannel transmission link comprises a multicore fiber span that is connected to the plurality of optical splitters by means of a tapered multicore coupler comprising a plurality of individual fibers having respective first ends joined together at a tapered coupler body,
• wherein cores of the individual fibers extend through the tapered coupler body, terminating at an endface having a core configuration matching the configuration of the individual cores of the multicore fiber,
• wherein the coupler endface is connected to the multicore fiber, and
• wherein the individual fibers have respective ends connected to respective splitters in the plurality of optical splitters.