Waveband converters based on four-wave mixing in SOAs

Four wave mixing (FWM) is distinguished from other wavelength conversion techniques by its ability to simultaneously convert a number of input wavelength channels. In this case, optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) is insufficient to describe the performance of the device as many effects are involved. A multiwavelength FWM model is used here to simulate a waveband converter (WBC). The numerical model predicts the waveform of the FWM product. Based on that output, the Q factor of the signal and the power penalty induced to the signal can be calculated to evaluate the performance of such a device. Meanwhile, an analytical model is used for the calculation of the signal power levels and the standard deviation of the fluctuation; hence, it describes the constituent effects-namely, the extinction ratio (ER) degradation, the OSNR degradation, the gain modulation (GM) related crosstalk, and interference. The model´s validity is tested against the numerical results. To the best of the authors´ knowledge, this is the first time that a numerical model and an analytical model are used to systematically investigate a WBC and to identify the specific effects and derive the design rules. These rules are tested in the experiment. Finally, a tunable WBC (TWBC) based on the dual-pump configuration is described and implemented experimentally