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Impact of optical amplifiers on lightwave communications

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Abstract

The advent of erbium-doped fiber amplifiers has made economical low-noise, and wide-band optical amplification in the low loss 1.5-p.m wavelength region a reality. This fact is causing a revolution in thinking about lightwave communication systems. The longest optical spans in commercial use today are <100 km, but, using these amplifiers, systems spanning the oceans without electronic regeneration are under development. Perhaps even more revolutionary will be the impact of these amplifiers on terrestrial long-haul and short distance communications. New systems architectures, which were impossible with electronic regeneration, can now be considered. Multiple channels at different wavelengths can be used, since the channels need only be separated at the ends of the system, compared to demultiplexing and regenerating every 40 km in a conventional system. In networks, the loss of components used for optical switching and signal routing can be compensated with amplifiers. We can anticipate a large increase in the available capacity and sophistication of optical communications. An important challenge lies in discovering new ways of using this resource.

© 1991 Optical Society of America

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