Crosstalk in multiwavelength optical cross-connect networks

Optical crosstalk in multiwavelength optical cross-connect (multi-/spl lambda/ OXC) networks is studied. Two crosstalk mechanisms, interband and intraband crosstalk, caused by nonideal wavelength demultiplexing and space switching, are identified in this work. Their nature and accumulation behaviors are studied in detail. It has been established that the intraband crosstalk, where the crosstalk elements fall within the signal wavelength carrier band, is much more deleterious to the network end-end transparency performance. Three multi-/spl lambda/ OXC node architectures realising similar optical cross-connecting functions have been analyzed. Improvements in the most damaging intraband crosstalk can be realized by introducing a wavelength selective filter between the switch outputs and the wavelength multiplexer inputs. System penalty analyses associated with the crosstalk are also carried out using realistic system and device parameters, Both simulation and statistical analysis based approaches are presented.