GN-Model Validation Over Seven Fiber Types in Uncompensated PM-16QAM Nyquist-WDM Links

We report on a set of transmission experiments over seven different uncompensated fiber links carrying a 22-channel Nyquist-WDM signal comb based on polarization-multiplexed 16-quadrature amplitude modulation at
$R_{S}=15.625~{\rm GBd}(R_{B}=125~{\rm Gb}/{\rm s})$
. The channel spacing was
$\Delta f=16~{\rm GHz}$
. The experimental transmission performance was compared with analytical GN-model predictions showing a good agreement for all seven considered fiber types. Moreover, we used the experimental results for the validation of a fiber figure of merit based on the maximum reach, showing its effectiveness for approximate fiber performance prediction. Within the experimental tests, a maximum transmission distance of 3810 km at a bit error-rate of
$1.5\times 10^{{-2}}$
was achieved using a pure-silica-core fiber with 150
$\mu{\rm m}^{{2}}$
effective area, at a net spectral-efficiency-distance product of 24700
$({\rm b}\cdot{\rm km})/({\rm s}\cdot~{\rm Hz})$
, in a good agreement with the GN-model forecast.