Analytical study of crosstalk propagation in all-optical networks using perturbation theory

• Published in: Journal of lightwave technology Vol. 23; no. 12; pp. 4074 - 4083
• Main Authors: Pointurier, Y., Brandt-Pearce, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.12.2005; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: All optical circuits; All-optical networks; Analytical models; Applied sciences; Circuit properties; Computational modeling; Computer simulation; Crosstalk; Degradation; Electric, optical and optoelectronic circuits; Electronic components; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; Fiber optic networks; Mathematical analysis; Mathematical models; Miscellaneous; nonlinearities; Optical and optoelectronic circuits; Optical communication; Optical crosstalk; Optical fiber communications; Optical fiber networks; Optical propagation; Optical switches; Optical telecommunications; Performance degradation; perturbation methods; Perturbation theory; Regeneration; Repeaters; Studies; Systems, networks and services of telecommunications; Telecommunications; Telecommunications and information theory; Transmission and modulation (techniques and equipments); transparent optical networks; wavelength division multiplexing; Performance evaluation; Perturbation theory; wavelength division multiplexing; Electronic switching; optical fiber communications; Crosstalk; Data switching; Non linear phenomenon; Degradation; Optical fiber network; Continuous wave; transparent optical networks; nonlinearities; Optical interconnection; Damaging; All optical network; Q factor; All optical circuit; Continuous signal; Electrical network; Simulation; Electronic component; Analytical method; Optical crosstalk; Long distance transmission; Non linear effect; perturbation methods
• ISSN: 0733-8724; 1558-2213
• DOI: 10.1109/JLT.2005.859432

The performance of current optical networks is inherently limited by the speed of electronic components and, in particular, by electronic switches. A new generation of optical networks, referred to as all-optical networks, overcomes this limitation by switching data entirely optically using all-optical crossconnects (OXCs). However, all-optical networks are prone to phenomena that are unknown to current optical networks with electrical regeneration: OXCs are subject to optical leaks, called crosstalk, resulting in unwanted components being added to transmitted signals, and this crosstalk is transmitted over very long paths without any signal regeneration. In this paper, we consider the interplay between fiber nonlinearity and crosstalk signals over long distances as the source of performance degradation, measured in terms of Q factor. We present an analytical crosstalk model for all-optical networks and give expressions for the performance degradation resulting from the joint propagation of a signal [using a continuous-wave (CW) assumption and perturbation theory] and crosstalk in large networks. Analytical calculations required by this model are shown to be much less computationally intensive than simulations. Simulations are carried out to validate our analytical model and good agreement is found between the analytical model and simulations for wide ranges of parameters.