Evaluation of Theoretical Limits of Cascaded EDFA Transmission Systems

Abstract

In the future optical transmission systems, it is likely that Erbium doped fiber optical amplifiers will replace present electrical regenerators. Both experimental studies (1, 2) and computer simulations (3-5) have investigated the feasability of non-regenerated optical long haul systems. A considerable number of parameters are determining the overall performances of the transmission link. In this paper, we report on theoritical studies carried out using numerical simulations in order to investigate the limits of such systems. We have considered both cases of 5 Gbit/s and 10 Gbit/s transmission. The theoretical limit value of the amplifier spacing, as imposed by group velocity dispersion (GVD), self phase modulation (SPM) and accumulated amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) has been evaluated.