Fundamental Bit-Error-Rate Limits of In-Line Optical Regeneration by Synchronous Intensity Modulation: An Analytical Gaussian-Statistics Model

Abstract

Fundamental limits of optical regeneration by in-line synchronous intensity modulation are evaluated through a simple Gaussian-statistics analysis. Regeneration is shown to involve three processes: asymptotic stabilization of signal-to-noise ratio, asymptotic stabilization of timing jitter, and instrinsic conversion of timing jitter into intensity noise. The model also includes filtering, which is shown to reduce or suppress amplitude noise. Key system parameters, which are valid regardless the origin of noise and jitter (amplification, interaction, collisions), are identified for the regime of “infinite” transmission, where the bit-error rate becomes distance-invariant. These parameters make it possible to predict the level and distance at which the bit-error rate converges, thus enabling rapid analytical evaluation and optimization of system performance. Novel effects such as transition from intensity-noise-limited to timing-jitter-limited regimes (or the reverse) and eye reopening with distance have been identified and analyzed for the first time.