Design, optimization, and evaluation of ultra-broadband hybrid optical doped-fiber amplifier for O+E+S+C band amplification

Abstract

This study presents the design and optimization of a hybrid optical amplifier capable of amplifying optical signals in the O+E+S+C (multiband) wavelength bands. The amplifier’s architecture incorporates Praseodymium, Thulium, and Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (PDFA, TDFA, and EDFA) connected in parallel configurations. The physical and geometric parameters of the amplifiers are tuned to achieve a signal gain $>$ 18 dB and a noise figure $<$ 4.91 dB for the wavelength region 1270 nm to 1560 nm. Additionally, the impact of the homogeneous up-conversion (HUC) ion-ion interaction mechanism on the signal gain is investigated and minimized by optimizing the amplifier’s physical and geometric characteristics. In the O and S+C bands, respectively, a gain deterioration of 2.3% and 4.6% is observed at 1310 nm and 1500 nm wavelengths. However, a gain increment of 0.48% in the E-band has been observed at 1380 nm. The performance of the multiband HOA is analyzed in coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM), dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM), and ultra-dense wavelength division multiplexing (UDWDM) transmission links of an optical fiber communication system operating at data rates ranging from 5 to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps). The multiband HOA is installed as a pre-amplifier in the simulation set-up and assessed based on the quality (Q) factor. An errorless transmission with a Q-Factor $>$ 6.14 has been achieved for all the channels over a distance of 80 km of a single-mode fiber (SMF).