Remotely pumped optical distribution networks: a distributed amplifier model

Optical distribution networks using remotely pumped erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) with a single pump source at the head end can conveniently provide signal gain without adding to the power-consumption cost and management complexity of having multiple locally pumped EDFAs in densely populated metropolitan areas. We introduce an analytical model for understanding the basic physical foundations of remotely pumped network design and for analyzing the number of users that can be supported using such a remote-pumping scheme.