Performance limitations imposed on all-optical ultralong lightwave systems at the zero-dispersion wavelength

The performance limitations imposed on all-optical transoceanic lightwave systems are discussed. Specifically, the performance of a 8910-km-long 5-Gb/s communication system with in-line optical amplifiers is evaluated. The analysis, which is performed both analytically and with the aid of computer simulations, considers the impact of the transmission impairments on the system performance. In particular, the impairments due to the accumulated amplified spontaneous emission noise, the fiber dispersion, the fiber nonlinearity and polarization effects are analyzed, and improvement methods are suggested.< >