Amplifier Considerations in ROADM-Free Space-Switched Nonlinear Optical Links

Abstract

Power fluctuations accumulate in ROADM-free space-switched networks. Thousands of randomized nonlinear transmissions demonstrate that capacity with an inventory of {5,10,15,20} dB gain amplifiers is within 10 % of optimal and triple that with {10,20} dB amplifiers over 1,000 km.