Design theory of long-distance WDM dispersion-managed transmission system

This paper describes a novel design theory of long distance wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) dispersion-managed optical transmission systems. Assuming that the transmission distance, bit rate, and number of WDM channels are initially known, we investigate the optimum dispersion allocation and input power per channel to achieve the minimum channel spacing. Based on the design guidelines for single-channel and multichannel systems, we establish the optimal design strategy. Details of the design procedure are demonstrated for 2.5-, 5-, and 10-Gb/s 10000 km WDM systems by using computer simulations. Next, we study the impact of the fiber dispersion slope on the usable wavelength span, and show that the attainable capacity of the representative 5-Gb/s 10000 km WDM system employing the postcompensation scheme can not exceed 100 Gb/s. Finally, we propose several techniques to approach the ultimate capacity of the WDM system and show that up to 1 Tb/s (200/spl times/5 Gb/s) 10000 km system can be implemented without utilizing the in-line dispersion slope compensation scheme. We also discuss the 10 Gb/s-10000 km WDM system employing in-line dispersion slope compensation.