Optical TDM-transmission systems for channel rates of 40 Gbit/s and above

Since optical transmission systems with channel rates of 40 Gbit/s per WDM channel are already close to field introduction, there is considerable interest in possible transmission systems with even higher data rates per WDM channel. It is shown that the optimum fibre type depends significantly on the data rate and the modulation format. For 160 Gbit/s-TDM-systems it turns out that the standard single mode fibre is optimum. Experimentally, 160 Gbit/s transmission systems had been realized, e.g. allowing for a span length of 160 km without in-line amplification.