Brkopt 2106

DWDM Fundamentals
and Advances
Rodger Nutt, Technical Solutions Architect, GSP Architectures
BRKOPT-2106
Agenda
Introduction What is DWDM?
Optical Fiber
Linear/Non-linear Effects and Solutions
DWDM Components and Software
Intro to OTN
Increasing Capacity, Flexibility and Reach in DWDM
Next Generation DWDM/Optics
What is DWDM?
Wavelength Division Multiplexing
DWDM systems use optical devices to combine the output of several optical
transmitters
TX
TX
TX
TX
Optical
transmitters
RX
Transmission
RX
RX
Optical
fiber pair
DWDM devices
BRKOPT-2106
RX
Optical
receivers
2016 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
ITU-T Grid
ITU wavelengths = lambdas = channels center around 1550 nm (193 THz)
0.4 nm spacing
1528.77 nm
1552.52 nm
(Center channel)
50 GHz spacing
Wavelength
(nm)
1578.23 nm
Frequency
(THz)
196.2 THz
193.1 THz
(Center channel)
190.1 THz
BRKOPT-2106
Optical Fiber
Fiber Geometry and Dimensions
The core carries the light signals
The refractive index difference

between core & cladding confines
the light to the core
The coating protects the glass
Core
SMF 8 microns
Cladding
125 microns
Coating
250 microns
BRKOPT-2106
Optical Spectrum
UltraViolet
Visible
InfraRed
850 nm
1310 nm
1550 nm
Communication Wavelengths in the InfraRed

850 nm Multimode
1310 nm Singlemode
C-band:1550 nm Singlemode
L-band: 1625 nm Singlemode
1625 nm
C = x l
Wavelength: l (nanometers)
Frequency:
BRKOPT-2106
(terahertz)
Applications for the Different Fiber Types

SMF
(G.652)
DSF
(G.653)
NZDSF
(G.655)
Extended Band
(G.652.C)
(suppressed attenuation in the
traditional water peak region)
Good for TDM at 1310 nm

OK for TDM at 1550
OK for DWDM (With Dispersion Mgmt.)
OK for TDM at 1310 nm
Bad for DWDM (C-Band)
Good for DWDM (C + L Bands)
OK for DWDM (With Dispersion Mgmt.
Good for CWDM (>8 wavelengths)
BRKOPT-2106
10
Linear Effects
Transmission Impairments
S-band:14601530nm
2.0
Attenuation
Loss of Signal Strength
0.5
0.2
800
1000
Distortion of pulses
Optical Signal to Noise

Ratio (OSNR)
1100
1200
1300
1400
1500
1600
Wavelength (nm)
Time Slot
2.5Gb/s
900
Chromatic Dispersion (CD)
C-band:15301565nm
L-band:15651625nm
Loss (dB/km)
10Gb/s
Fiber
Fiber
Effect of Noise in Transmission

S+N
BRKOPT-2106
12
Attenuation
With enough attenuation, a light pulse may not be detected by an optical

receiver
Attenuation (dB)
Distance (km)
Insertion loss (dB)
Optical device
BRKOPT-2106
13
Fiber Attenuation (Loss) Characteristic

S-band:14601530nm
Loss(dB)/km vs. Wavelength

2.0 dB/Km
L-band:15651625nm
OH- Absorption Peaks in

Actual Fiber Attenuation Curve
0.5 dB/Km
0.2 dB/Km
800
900
1000
1100
1200
1300
1400
Wavelength in Nanometers (nm)

OH: Hydroxyl ion absorption is the absorption in optical fibers of electromagnetic waves,
due to the presence of trapped hydroxyl ions remaining from water as a contaminant.
BRKOPT-2106
1500
1600
C-band:15301565nm
14
Laser Output Power and

Receiver Sensitivity and dBm
Fiber loss expressed in dB but transmitter/receiver power is expressed in dBm
This is why both the transmitter output power and the receiver sensitivity is
expressed in dBm:
PowerdBm=10log(PmW /1mW)
dB and dBm are additive, hence the simplification
Example:
Powerdbm = 10log(2mW/1mW)=3dBm
Powerdbm = 10log(1mW/1mW)=0dBm
BRKOPT-2106
15
Gain and Decibels (dB)

Pin
Amp
Pout
Gain expressed by ratio: Pout/Pin
Gain measured conveniently in dB: 10 log10 Pout/Pin

If the power is doubled by an amplifier, this is +3 dB
BRKOPT-2106
16
Attenuation: Optical Budget

Basic Optical Budget = Tx Output Power Rx Input Sensitivity
Pout = +6 dBm
R = -30 dBm
Budget = 36 dB
Optical Budget is affected by:
Fiber attenuation
Splices
Patch Panels/Connectors
Optical components (filters, amplifiers, etc.)
Bends in fiber
Contamination (dirt/oil on connectors)
BRKOPT-2106
17
Attenuation Solution: EDFA
Erbium doped fiber amplifies optical signals through stimulated emission using
980nm and 1480nm pump lasers
Isolator
Signal
Input
980 or 1480 nm
Pump Laser
Erbium
Doped
Fiber
Isolator
Amplified
Signal
Output
WDM Coupler for

pump and signal
Basic EDFA
configuration
BRKOPT-2106
18
Chromatic Dispersion (CD)

Bit 1
Bit 2
Bit 1
Bit 2
Bit 1
Bit 2
Bit 1
Bit 2
Bit 1
Bit 2
The Optical Pulse tends to Spread as it propagates down the fiber

generating Inter-Symbol-Interference (ISI)
Total dispersion is a function of the length of fiber and its dispersion factor
Limits transmission distance for 10G and above wavelengths
Can be compensated by using negative dispersion fiber or electronically through

modulation schemes
BRKOPT-2106
19
Solution: Dispersion Compensating Unit
DCUs use fiber with

chromatic dispersion of
opposite sign/slope and of
suitable length to bring the
average dispersion of the
link close to zero.
BRKOPT-2106
20
Optical Signal-to-Noise Ratio (OSNR)
OSNR is a measure of the ratio of signal level to the level of system noise
As OSNR decreases, possible errors increase
OSNR is measured in decibels (dB)
EDFAs are the source of noise
Signal level
OSNR = ----------------Noise level
Signal level dBm)

Noise level (dBm)
BRKOPT-2106
21
Optical Signal Detection
Across a fiber span, optical signals encounter attenuation, dispersion and

increased noise levels at amplifiers.
Each of these factors causes bit detection errors at the receiver.
Low attenuation
Low dispersion
High OSNR
Transmitting
end
High attenuation
High dispersion
Low OSNR
Distance (km)
BRKOPT-2106
Receiving
end
22
Example: Link Design with Line Amplifiers
Tx: -1dBm min
TX
DCU
-1600
ps/nm
25dB
Mux
Meets receiver minimum

OSNR and power
requirement
Tx: +3 to -1dBm, Rx min: -21dBm (0ps/nm)

CD tolerance: +1600ps/nm @ 2dB penalty
OSNR min: 16dB (0.5nm resolution)
+2dBm/ch
-23dBm/ch
OSNR= 35dB
OSNR: 18dB Rx:

-9dBm
DCU
-1600
ps/nm
25dB
+2dBm/ch
RX
Demux
10G Xenpak spec:
-23dBm/ch
OSNR= 21dB
OSNR= 18dB
Time
Domain
-1dBm
Wavelength
Domain
+2dBm
0ps/nm
Noise
Noise
Noise
-23dBm
1600ps/nm
+2dBm
0ps/nm
BRKOPT-2106
-23dBm
1600ps/nm
+2dBm
0ps/nm
23
OSNR Solution #1
Raman Amplifier
Stimulated Raman Scattering creates the Gain
Reduces the effective span loss and increases noise performance
Gain is highly dependent on quality of fiber
Gain Spectrum ~ 40nm with a single pump
BRKOPT-2106
24
OSNR Solution #2: Forward Error Correction

FEC extends reach and design
flexibility, at silicon cost
G.709 (G.709 Annex A) standard

improves
OSNR tolerance by 6.2 dB (at 1015
BER)
Offers intrinsic performance

monitoring (error statistics)
Higher gains (8.4dB) possible by

enhanced FEC (with same G.709
overhead G.975.1 I.4)
New SD-FEC provides 2dB more

coding gain
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Raw Channel BER=1.5e-3
Log
(BER)
G.709
RS(255,239)
Uncoded
No FEC
EFEC=8.4 dB
FEC=6.2 dB
9
10
S/N (dB)
11
12
13
14
15
Benefit: FEC/EFEC Extends Reach and Offers 1015 BER

BRKOPT-2106
25
Non-linear Effects
Non Linear Effects
Polarization Mode
Dispersion (PMD)
Caused by Non Linearity Of

Fiber Geometry
Effective for Higher Bit rates (10G)
Ey
nx
Ex
ny
Pulse As it Enters the Fiber
Spreaded Pulse As
it Leaves the Fiber
-5
Power (dBm)
-10
Four Wave Mixing (FWM)
Effects multi-channel systems

Effects higher bit rates
-20
-25
-30
-35
-40
1542
1543
1544
1545
1546
1547
1548
Wavelength (nm)
Self/Cross Phase Modulation

(SPM, XPM)
SPM Distortion
-15
Caused by high channel power

Caused by channel interaction
BRKOPT-2106
Power
27
Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD)

Ey
nx
Ex
ny
Spreaded Pulse as It Leaves the Fiber
Pulse as It Enters the Fiber
It is Relevant at Bit Rates of 10Gb/s or

More
Leverage MLSE
Use PMD Compensation (PMDC)
Pulse broadens as it travels down fiber
Deploy PMD-optimized fibers
Advanced Modulation Schemes
Mainly a manufacturing/install issue with

concentricity of fiber
Mitigation
Increasing system robustness with FEC

BRKOPT-2106
28
DWDM Components
Typical Components of DWDM Systems
Optical transmitters and receivers

DWDM mux/demux filters
Optical add/drop multiplexers (OADMs)
Reconfigurable OADM (ROADM)
Optical amplifiers
Transponders/Muxponders
BRKOPT-2106
30
Optical Transmitter Block Diagram

Creates pulses of light
Power measured in
decibel-milliwatts (dBm)
Relative amplitude
measured in decibels (dB)
Detects pulses of
electrical charge
Power measured in watts (W)
Amplitude measured in
volts (V)
+ -
+
V
-
1 0 1 1
Electrical-to-optical
(E-O)
conversion
+
dB
-
1 0 1 1
E-O
Optical fiber
Electrical conductor
BRKOPT-2106
31
Optical Receiver Block Diagram

Detects pulses of light
Creates pulses of electrical charge
Power measured in
Power measured in watts (W)
decibel-milliwatt (dBm)
Amplitude measured in volts (V)
Relative amplitude
measured in decibels (dB)
Optical-to-electrical (OE)
conversion
1 0 1 1
+
+ 1 0 1 1
dB
V
+ O-E
Optical fiber
Electrical conductor
BRKOPT-2106
32
DWDM Mux and Demux Filters Block Diagram

N light pulses of different wavelengths
1, 2, .N
1
Composite
signal
DWDM
fiber
N
From N
transmitters
Multiplexer
Demultiplexer
BRKOPT-2106
To N
receivers
33
OADM Block Diagram

Original
composite signal
DWDM
fiber
Drop path
Pass through path
New composite
signal
OADM
one signal
Signsl 1 drop
Signal 2 add
Add path
New data stream,
same wavelength
BRKOPT-2106
34
ROADM Architecture
Software Controlled Selectors 32 Ch.
(Pass-through/Add/Block)
Pass
West
Splitter
Pass-Through Wavelengths
DWDM
Signal
Add
Pass
Add
Add
Wavelengths
Transponder
Module
Network
Element
Network
Element
l3
l1
Software
Controlled
32 Ch. DeMux
DWDM
Signal
block
drop
block
drop
block
drop
Drop
Wavelengths
Network
Element
Drop
Wavelengths
drop
block
l3
Transponder
Module
Add
Wavelengths
Software
Controlled
32 Ch. DeMux
Network
Element
l1
Add
Pass
Splitter
Pass-Through Wavelengths
Add
Pass
East
Software Controlled Selectors 32 Ch.

(Pass-through/Add/Block)
BRKOPT-2106
35
Optical Amplifer Block Diagram
Unidirectional operation
Extends the reach of a DWDM span

Amplified output
composite signal
Attenuated input
composite signal
OA
Powerin
Powerout
DWDM
fiber
BRKOPT-2106
36
Transponder Block Diagram

ITU-T
compliant wavelength
Non-ITU-T
O-E-O
wavelength conversion
Tx
850, 1310, 1550 nm
15xx.xx nm
Transponder
Rx
Optical fiber
BRKOPT-2106
G.709 Enabled
37
Muxponder Block Diagram

Multiple Non-ITU-T
Compliant Clients
ITU-T
Multiplexing and O-E-O
wavelength conversion
850, 1310, 1550 nm
Tx
15xx.xx nm
Muxponder
Rx
G.709 Enabled
Optical fibers
BRKOPT-2106
38
Pluggable Optics
1G/10G
SFP/SFP+
40G/100G
CFP2, CFP, CPAK and CXP
10G/40G/100G
QSFP+/QSFP-28
BRKOPT-2106
39
DWDM System
Transponder interface
Tx
Rx
Client
OEO
OEO
OA
Tx
Rx
OADM
Rx
Mux and
demux
OA
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Client
Tx
To client devices
Mux and
demux
Direct interface
BRKOPT-2106
40
DWDM Software
Intelligent DWDM
Modern systems compensate real-time

for variations in the network
Gain Equalization
Amplifier Control
Automatic Node Setup
Automatic Power Control
WSON Restoration
Allows for less truck rolls and

maintenance windows
BRKOPT-2106
42
Why Per Channel Equalization

AMP
Express Path
Optical Power Equalized Channels
Add/Drop
Path
AMP
OADM Without Power Equalization
Channels with Unequal Optical Power
Why Per-Channel Optical Power Equalization

For amplifiers to operate correctly, all channels must be equalized in power.
If channel powers are not equal, more gain will go to the higher powered channels.
Channel power is inherently unequal due to different insertion losses, different
paths (add path vs. express/pass-through), etc.
Controlling the optical power of each channel in an optical network is required.

BRKOPT-2106
43
Constant Power Mode

Add Channels Example
Span Loss Increase Example
Total Output Power +2dBm

Per Channel
Power -15dBm
Per Channel
Power -1dBm
AMP
Initial condition 2 channels

Per Channel
Power -15dBm
AMP
Initial condition Gain 14dB

Per Channel
Power -15dBm
AMP
Per Channel
Power -1dBm
Per Channel
Power -4dBm
Adding 2 channels Amp set to Constant Power Mode
Per Channel
Power -17dBm
AMP
Per Channel
Power -1dBm
BRKOPT-2106
44
Constant Gain Mode

Add Channels Example
Span Loss Increase Example

Per Channel
Power -15dBm
Per Channel
Power -1dBm
AMP

Per Channel
Power -15dBm
AMP

Total Output Power -1dBm
Per Channel
Power -15dBm
AMP
Gain Stays Constant Gain 14dB
Per Channel
Power -1dBm
Per Channel
Power -1dBm
Per Channel
Power -18dBm
AMP
Per Channel
Power -4dBm
Gain stays the Same Gain 14dB
BRKOPT-2106
45
Automatic Power Control

No Human Intervention Required
APC
Automatically corrects amplifier

power/gain for capacity change, ageing
effects, operating conditions
Keep traffic working after network

failires
Prevent BER due to

network degrade
Keep constant either power or gain on

each amplifier
No truck rolls
No troubleshooting required
No operation complexity
BRKOPT-2106
46
Intro to OTN Switching
Aggregation Technology
OTN Drivers
Sub-Lambda
Aggregation/Switching
OTN Only
Packet
Aggregation OTN
Private Line
Private Line
Private Line
Private Line
Adapt to DWDM
Switch/Router Intfc
Mismatch to DWDM
Transparency
Timing
Protocols (i.e. OSPF vs
ISIS)
Sub-Lambda Protection
Unnecessary when client

interface = DWDM Trunk
OTN / Packet
Optimized
Private Line
Private Line
Private Line
Private Line
Private Line
Private Line
Private Line
Private Line
Source: Infonetics
BRKOPT-2106
Not yet
needed
Money
saved
2
deferred
48
OTN A Quick refresher
BRKOPT-2106
49
How Does OTN Relate to DWDM?
DWDM
OTN
OPU
ODU
OTU
OTU
OTU
OCh
OMS
OTS
OTS
OTS
BRKOPT-2106
50
Three AArchitectural Options

for
OTN
B
Switched
G.709
(Digital OTN)
Static WDM
(Analog OTN)
G.709 provides all

dynamic capabilities
WDM for capacity only
C
Framed G.709
(Digital OTN)
Switched
G.709
(Digital OTN)
Dynamic
WDM
(Analog OTN)
Flexible
WDM
(Analog OTN)
G.709 provides dynamic

switching
WDM with reconfigurable
connections
BRKOPT-2106
G.709 provides framing

only
WDM for all dynamic
capabilities
51
Increasing Capacity and Reach
100G and Beyond Coherent Detection

Direct Detection
Must correct for impairments in the physical domain (insert DCUs)
Forced to live with non-correctable impairments via network design (limit
distance, regenerate, adjust channel spacing)
Dumb detection (OOK), no Digital Signal Processing, only FEC
DCU
DCU
DCU
DD
Coherent Detection
DD
Regen
Moves impairment correction from the optical domain into the digital domain
Allows for digital correction of impairments (powerful DSP) vs. physical correction of
impairments (DCUs). Adds advanced FEC.
Massive performance improvements over Direct Detection.
CD
BRKOPT-2106
53
Flexible Modulation Reach vs. Capacity

Modulation
Baud Rate
Line Rate
Payload Rate
Distance
BPSK
28 GBaud
56 Gbps
50 Gbps
10,000 km
QPSK
32 GBaud
112 Gbps
100 Gbps
6,800 km
16-QAM
35 GBaud
224 Gbps
200 Gbps
1,200 km
BRKOPT-2106
54
Traditionally DWDM capacity is limited by the

channel spacing imposed by the 50GHz ITU grid.
50 GHz ITU Grid
Rigid Spacing
Wasted Spectrum
Gridless or FlexSpectrum
Superchannel with Minimal Spacing

Efficient Spectrum Use
Tightly spaced Superchannels deliver ~30% increase in capacity

BRKOPT-2106
55
Adding Flexibility
ROADM brought flexibility to DWDM networks.

Any wavelength. Anywhere.
But it was static flexibility.

Moves and changes required a truck roll.
BRKOPT-2106
57
because ROADM ports were

colored and directional.
Colored Add/Drop
Fixed port frequency assignment
One unique frequency per port
Directional Add/Drop
Physical add/drop port is tied to a
ROADM degree
Due to these restrictions, a change in direction or frequency of an optical circuit

required a physical change (move interface to different port) at the endpoints.
BRKOPT-2106
58
Colorless and Omni-directional add/drop bring

touchless flexibility, and hence programmability, to
ROADM networks.
Colorless Add/Drop
No port-frequency assignment
Any frequency, any port
Omni-Directional Add/Drop
Add/Drop ports can be routed
to/from any ROADM degree
With Colorless plus Omni-Directional, the frequency and direction of the signal
can be changed, without requiring a change of ROADM add/drop port, therefore
no truckrolls, and henceprogrammability!
BRKOPT-2106
59
ButColorless and Omni-directional introduce

wavelength contention at the add/drop stage. Need
a Contentionless architecture.
Directional Add/Drop ROADMs
form a Contentionless node by
definition.
Contentionless add/drop allows

multiple instances of the same
frequency to A/D from one unit.
With Contentionless, N instances of a given wavelength (where N = the number

of line degrees in the ROADM node) can be add/dropped from a single device,
eliminating any restrictions on dynamic wavelength provisioning.
BRKOPT-2106
60
Tunable lasers and coherent receivers are also key

enablers of the touchless programmable optical layer.
Transmitter can tune its lasers
frequency to any channel in the
ITU grid.
Receiver can select any channel

from of a composite (unfiltered)
signal.
Tunable lasers work with colorless add/drop to enable touchless changes in the
frequency of an optical signal. Coherent receivers simplify the construction of
colorless and omni-directional ROADM nodes, by eliminating the need to demultiplex a signal down to the individual wavelength.
BRKOPT-2106
61
But this touchless capability is of limited use without

intelligence.
Intelligence to find an optically feasible
route through the network.
WSON
The WSON Control Plane combines

GMPLS signaling with knowledge of
optical interface requirements and
channel impairments.
Embedded Optical
Intelligence
WSON enables automated, constraintbased zero-planning wavelength setup,

which in turn enables advanced optical
layer features such as Optical Restoration.
BRKOPT-2106
62
animated slide
Dynamic Optical Restoration

ROADM Network
Client
Client
Transponder
Shelf
Transponder
Shelf
Fiber Cut!
Embedded WSON intelligence locates and verifies a new path and wavelength
Transponders re-tune to available wavelength
Colorless, Omni-Directional ROADM switches the path
Service is brought back up with the same Client and Optical interfaces, zero touches
BRKOPT-2106
63
Adding a User Network Interface (GMPLS-UNI) to

WSON turns a touchless ROADM into a
programmable optical layer.
GMPLS
UNI
UNI-N
UNI-C
GMPLS UNI enables multi-layer circuit provisioning by signaling exchanges between UNI
Client (typically routers) and UNI Network (typically optical) nodes.

Provides the ability to share and leverage information across layers
Facilitates scale while maintaining organizational segmentation and distinct operational
expertise among layers

BRKOPT-2106
64
Key Takeaways
Dramatic increase in Bandwidth has led to the use of DWDM
Fiber type effects the quality of transmission
Linear Effects are predictable and can be compensated
Non-Linear Effects are known but somewhat unpredictable
OTN Switching is an emerging transport technology
Modern DWDM systems are intelligent and simple to operate
Good reference is:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/optical/ps2011/products_tech
nical_reference_chapter09186a00802342dd.html
BRKOPT-2106
65
Conclusion
Introduction What is DWDM?
Optical Fiber
Linear/Non-linear Effects and Solutions
DWDM Components
DWDM Software
Intro to OTN
Increasing Capacity, Flexibility and Reach in DWDM
Complete Your Online Session Evaluation
Give us your feedback to be

entered into a Daily Survey
Drawing. A daily winner will
receive a $750 Amazon gift card.
Complete your session surveys

through the Cisco Live mobile
app or from the Session Catalog
on CiscoLive.com/us.
Dont forget: Cisco Live sessions will be available
for viewing on-demand after the event at
CiscoLive.com/Online
BRKOPT-2106
67
Thank you
Glossary
Arrayed
Waveguide (AWG)
Automatic
Node Setup (ANS)
Automatic
Power Control (APC)
Chromatic
Dispersion (CD)
Cross
Phase Modulation (XPM)
Decibels
(dB)
Decibels-milliwatt
Dense
(dBm)
Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM)
Dispersion
Compensation Unit (DCU)
Dispersion
Shifted Fiber (DSF)
Erbium
Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA)
Four-Wave
Mixing (FWM)
BRKOPT-2106
69
Glossary
International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
Non-Zero Dispersion Shifted Fiber (NZ-DSF)
Optical Add Drop Multiplexer (OADM)
Optical Signal to Noise Ratio (OSNR)
Optical Supervisory Channel (OSC)
Optical Supervisory Channel Module (OSCM)
Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD)

Reconfigurable Optical Add Drop Multiplexer (ROADM)
Self Phase Modulation (SPM)
Single Mode Fiber (SMF)

Variable Optical Attenuator (VOA)
BRKOPT-2106
70

Brkopt 2106

Caricato da

Informazioni sul documento

Titolo originale

Copyright

Formati disponibili

Condividi questo documento

Condividi o incorpora il documento

Opzioni di condivisione

Hai trovato utile questo documento?

Questo contenuto è inappropriato?

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

Brkopt 2106

Caricato da

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

DWDM Fundamentals

Introduction What is DWDM?

Linear/Non-linear Effects and Solutions

DWDM Components and Software

Increasing Capacity, Flexibility and Reach in DWDM

Next Generation DWDM/Optics

Wavelength Division Multiplexing

Fiber Geometry and Dimensions

The core carries the light signals

The refractive index difference

The coating protects the glass

Communication Wavelengths in the InfraRed

Applications for the Different Fiber Types

Good for TDM at 1310 nm

Loss of Signal Strength

Optical Signal to Noise

Chromatic Dispersion (CD)

Effect of Noise in Transmission

With enough attenuation, a light pulse may not be detected by an optical

Fiber Attenuation (Loss) Characteristic

Loss(dB)/km vs. Wavelength

OH- Absorption Peaks in

Wavelength in Nanometers (nm)

Laser Output Power and

Fiber loss expressed in dB but transmitter/receiver power is expressed in dBm

Gain and Decibels (dB)

Gain expressed by ratio: Pout/Pin

Gain measured conveniently in dB: 10 log10 Pout/Pin

Attenuation: Optical Budget

Optical Budget is affected by:

Attenuation Solution: EDFA

WDM Coupler for

Chromatic Dispersion (CD)

The Optical Pulse tends to Spread as it propagates down the fiber

Limits transmission distance for 10G and above wavelengths

Can be compensated by using negative dispersion fiber or electronically through

Solution: Dispersion Compensating Unit

DCUs use fiber with

Optical Signal-to-Noise Ratio (OSNR)

As OSNR decreases, possible errors increase

OSNR is measured in decibels (dB)

EDFAs are the source of noise

Signal level dBm)

Optical Signal Detection

Across a fiber span, optical signals encounter attenuation, dispersion and

Each of these factors causes bit detection errors at the receiver.

Example: Link Design with Line Amplifiers

Tx: -1dBm min

Meets receiver minimum

Tx: +3 to -1dBm, Rx min: -21dBm (0ps/nm)

OSNR: 18dB Rx:

10G Xenpak spec:

Stimulated Raman Scattering creates the Gain

Reduces the effective span loss and increases noise performance

Gain is highly dependent on quality of fiber

Gain Spectrum ~ 40nm with a single pump

OSNR Solution #2: Forward Error Correction

G.709 (G.709 Annex A) standard

Offers intrinsic performance

Higher gains (8.4dB) possible by

New SD-FEC provides 2dB more

Raw Channel BER=1.5e-3

Benefit: FEC/EFEC Extends Reach and Offers 1015 BER