Optical frequency division multiple access network design using optical amplifier

The authors discuss a degradation mechanism involving the optical nonlinearities common in fibers. Particular attention is paid to passive double-star networks (PDSs) employing four wave mixing (FWM), Er-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs), and optical frequency division multiplexing (O-FDM). The optimal output power of O-FDM systems and the network size limitation of O-FDM local networks are clarified. It is shown that a splitting ratio of 2000 could be realized even with 200 O-FDM channels per fiber, given the existing optical fibers and EDFAs. The usable number of optical frequencies is mainly restricted by FWM generated in the fiber between the optical multiplier and the EDFA, as well as EDFA output power saturation characteristics. Network design methods for O-FDM local networks using a PDS configuration are outlined