Physical design and performance estimation of heterogeneous optical transmission systems

This article introduces the issues of design and estimation of performance of a heterogeneous optical transmission system, taking into account the multiplicity of physical effects impairing propagation simultaneously, and, most particularly, the impact of Kerr-induced non-linear effects. We review the Usual engineering tools enabling us to predict system performance, as well as design tools to optimize dispersion-management. Finally, we introduce the concept of weighted non-linear phase shifts. to capture the impact of the accumulated non-linearities on a propagating signal, and derive analytical expressions for system reach and power optimization in the context of highly heterogeneous optical link with mixed fiber features. To cite this article: J.-C Antona, S. Bigo, C R. Physique 9 (2008). (C) 2008 Academie des sciences. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.