WDM network modeling: probability analysis of optical crosstalk accumulation and network performance confidence limits

We present a novel method to study impairments in wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) networks by using probability theory to simulate the wavelength channel assignment and the flow of signals through the network, and also to calculate confidence limits for acceptable network performance. We apply the method to study the accumulation of homodyne beat noise in order to gauge accurate and realistic component crosstalk requirements for optical switches. We include the effects of laser wavelength referencing error and drift in our model, and show that it is possible to relax the requirements to within realistic specifications.