Optimum algorithm for WDM channel allocation for reducing four-wave mixing effects

Abstract

A novel channel allocation method, based on optical Golomb ruler (OGR), that allows reduction of the FWM effect while maintaining bandwidth efficiency along with the algorithms has been presented in this paper. Very high-capacity, long-haul optical communication systems can be designed by wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) of high-bit-rate channels and by using erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) to periodically compensate the fiber loss. In such all-optical systems, the effects of chromatic dispersion and nonlinearities accumulate during light propagation, imposing limits on the achievable performance. Chromatic dispersion at 1.55 pm can be effectively reduced by using dispersion-shifted fiber (DSF). The use of very-low-dispersion fiber, however, enhances the efficiency of generation of four-wave mixing (FWM) waves by reducing the phase mismatch naturally provided by the fiber dispersion. For this reason, crosstalk due to FWM is the dominant nonlinear effect in long-haul WDM systems using DSFs. To reduce four-wave-mixing crosstalk in high capacity long-haul repeater less WDM light wave systems, the use of the channel allocation method that involves unequal spaced channels has been proposed.