Theoretical performance evaluation of linear impairments in optical WDM networks with ITU-T defined fibers

This article investigates the performance degradation, in terms of Quality-factor (Q-factor), due to the combined effect of linear impairments, in an optical Wavelength Division Multiplexed (WDM) star network using various ITU-T compliant fibers (G.652, G. 652D, G. 653, G. 654 and G.655), based on the optical frequency grid defined by the ITU-T Recommendation G.692. The simulation results obtained through the developed mathematical model show that in presence of the deleterious effects of the combined linear impairments, compared to other fiber types, Q-factor performance of a G.653 and G.654 fiber is the `best' and `worst'. The results also verify that with the use of a fiber having high value of dispersion and attenuation, it may not be possible to obtain the desired performance.