Modeling of transoceanic fiber-optic WDM communication systems

• Published in: IEEE journal of selected topics in quantum electronics Vol. 6; no. 2; pp. 337 - 347
• Main Authors: Golovchenko, E.A., Pilipetskii, A.N., Bergano, N.S., Davidson, C.R., Khatri, F.I., Kimball, R.M., Mazurczyk, V.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01.03.2000; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Algorithms; Chromatic dispersion; Communication systems; Computational modeling; Computer programs; Computer simulation; Fiber nonlinear optics; Fiber optics; Markets; Optical distortion; Optical fiber communication; Optical fiber polarization; Optical fibers; Optical noise; Stimulated emission; System performance; Wavelength division multiplexing
• ISSN: 1077-260X; 1558-4542
• DOI: 10.1109/2944.847769

The rapid growth of long-haul wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) fiber-optic telecommunications challenges lightwave system designers to increase the transmission capacity per fiber pair, while reducing the time to market. This makes it essential to have fast and accurate computer modeling tools to aid the systems design. There is a natural engineering tradeoff between simulation speed and accuracy; fast approximations tend to be inaccurate, while the exact treatment of the physical processes affecting transmission are nearly impossible to capture in a time-efficient algorithm. The proof of a successful tool development lies in the comparison of simulation results to transmission system measurements. In this paper, we discuss a new simulation technique based on careful evaluation of the key physical effects that produce system impairments. We show that this new approach can produce fast and accurate simulations of long-haul WDM transmission systems.