WDM example.

1. An eight level WDM system transmits over 100 km of 0.2 dB/km loss fibre. The received signal at the demultiplexer front end is to
be no less than 10 dBm. The multiplexed signal input is 10 dBm. Midway along the span a 1 by 2 coupler is inserted with an insertion
loss of 1 dB and power splitting ratio of 90:10 that is used as a test point. Assuming that the maximum gain of the amplifiers (variable
gain) available are 25 dB and that all signals amplify equally. If the signal should not be allowed to fall below 0 dBm anywhere along
the link then determine the placement of the amplifiers. You should try to avoid non linear effects due to high intensity signals as
much as possible by not allowing the signals to rise above 10 dBm.
Solution.
Input dBm = 10
system losses and gains:
fibre 1000.2 = 20 dB.
coupler insertion1 dB. Coupling 10log10(90/100) = -0.46 dB: total = 1.46 dB.
Total loss = 21.46 dBm.
Received power without amplification = 10 - 20 -1.46 = - 11.46 dB
Amplification needed = 21.46 dB.
One arrangement:

10 dBm

0dBm

50 km of fibre =
-10 dB

10 dB m

EDFA 10 dB

10
dBm
EDFA 10 dB

8.54 dB m

Coupler 1.46

8.54dBm

7.3 km of fibre =
-1.46 dB

0dBm

42.7 km of fibre =
-8.54 dB

10 dBm

EDFA 1.46 dB

2. 4 WDM laser sources each deliver 30 mW power. The wavelengths are 1551.32 nm, 1553.73nm, 1554.54 nm and 1555.35 nm.
Multiplexer total insertion loss is 1 dB.
10 km optical fibre cable with loss 0.2 dB/km.
Demultiplexer total loss, including splitting and insertion, 9 dB.
the same filter is placed at the ouput of the demultiplexer and the only parameter you need consider is the gain for the particular
wavelength.
The filter gains (numeric) for each of the wavelengths are:
1551.32 - 0.1
1553.73 - 0.4
1554.54 - 1
1555.35 - 0.5
Determine:
The pre filtered dB loss of the system.
The dB loss for each channel after filtering.

The filtered powers dBm for all the WDM channels.

The transmittance (numerical gain) for each channel.
The power in milliwatts using the numerical gain.
Solution.
The first part is constant for all wavelengths.
Need to choose dBs.
Source power 10log10(3010-3/110-3) = 14.77 dBm.
Multiplexer gain = -1dB.
Fibre gain = -100.2 = -2 dB
Demultiplexer gain = -9 dB
Total gain to filters = -12dB.
Individual filter gains and corresponding dB gains:
1551.32
numerical gain = 0.1
dB gain = 10log10(0.1) = -10 dB.
Gian for this channel = -10 - 12= -22.
Demultiplexed power = 14.77 - 22 = -7.23 dBm.
Check using numeric gains
Transmittance (numerical gain) for this channel = 10(-22/10) = 0.0063.
Transmission = 300.0063 = 0.18 mW 10log10(0.1810-3/110-3) = -7.44 dBm
1553.73
numerical gain = 0.4
dB gain = 10log10(0.4) = -3.979 dB.
Gian for this channel = -3.979 -12 = -15.979.
Demultiplexed power = 14.77 - 15.979 = -1.209 dBm.
Check using numeric gains
Transmittance (numerical gain) for this channel = 10(-15.979/10) = 0.025.
Transmission = 300.025 = 0.75 mW 10log10(0.7510-3/110-3) = -1.249 dBm
1554.54
gain = 10log10(1) = 0 dB.
Gian for this channel = 0 -12 = -12.
Demultiplexed power = 14.77 - 12 = 2.77 dBm.
Check using numeric gains.
Transmittance for this channel = 10(-12/10) = 0.063.
Transmission = 300.063 = 1.89 mW 10log10(1.8910-3/110-3) = 2.765 dBm.
1555.35
Gain 0.5.
gain = 10log10(0.5) = -3.01 dB.
Gain for this channel = -3.01- 12 = -15.01.
Demultiplexed power = 14.77 - 15.01 = -0.24 dBm.
Check using numeric gains.
Transmittance for this channel = 10(-15.01/10) = 0.03155.
Transmission = 300.03155 = 0.9465 mW = 10log10(0.946510-3/110-3) = 0.234 dBm

3.

Wavelength division multiplexing is the current choice for optical

networking.
(a)

Identify the relevant components that are used to implement a

WDM point to point link giving a brief description of the
working of each.

Sketch waveform diagrams of signals and component

responses that are typical of those found in such a system.
Give mathematical equations that can be used to describe the
performance of this system in terms of the power levels at all
points along the transmission path.
(b) An eight level WDM network is specified over a range 1530
nm to 1558 nm, with channel spacing of 4 nm and is
comprised of:
A passive multiplexer built from directional couplers (total
insertion loss 2 dB).
100 km of 0.2dB/km loss fibre.
A passive demultiplexer built from directional couplers (Total
insertion loss 1 dB).
Optical filter gains (transmittance) 0.829 for all wavelengths.
Input power = 30 mW.
(i)

Determine the power level at all points in the system for

the WDM signals.

(ii)

Explain how four wave mixing can result in received

signal distortion.

(iii) Mid way along the fibre link an optical amplifier with the
wavelength response given in figure Q2.a, is now
inserted. Determine the received power for a signal with
wavelength 1546 nm.

80

60

Gain/dB.

40

20

-20

-40

-60
1525

1530

1535

1540

1545

1550

Wavelength/nm

Figure Q1.a.
1).
a).
Typical system and components.

1555

1560

1565

Optical
Receivers

EDFA
Amplifiers

WDM
Demultiplexer

2
1
N

Light
Sources

WDM
Multiplexer

1
N
Light sources generate time domain signals typically.
1
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

The source if laser has typical frequency response.

20log 10Amplitude/ arb. units.

Increasing
bias current.

log10Modulation frequency/ arb. units.

Modulation equation.

m( m )

M ( j m )
02

M0
( j m ) 2 j m 2 02 )

Multiplexer adds all signals successively.

Input signals after multiplexing (wavelength spectrum).

Subcarriers
Amplitude
1

Wavelength

As for power Insertion loss occurs at each coupler with x dB loss per coupler:
Thus total insertion loss = kx = -log2(N)x
Transmission after multiplexing may result in, attenuated, possibly distorted if non-linear relevant an dispersed.
Demultiplexer.
1
2

Signals at the output similar to demultiplexed but power levels reduced according to 1/N (splitting) plus;
Insertion loss occurs at each coupler with x dB loss per coupler:
Thus total insertion loss = kx = -log2(N)x
.
Individual needs filtering typical etalon response.

R = 0.5

R = 0.9
R = 0.1

Etalon transmission profile

0.9

0.8

0.7
Transmittance.

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
1.5475

1.548

Defining equation to show transmittance.

PO
T
Pi

1
1

4R
2l
sin 2

2
(1 R )

Often switching with a NOLM.

1.5485

1.549

1.5495

1.55
1.5505
Wavelength microns

1.551

1.5515

1.552

1.5525

Fibre
loop

a
aCW
a

Data

3
1

a
aCCW

4
2

Wanted
a channel

Coupler

Coupler
Control

Transmittance.

T 1 cos 2

Switching diagram.
1
Transmission profile.
0.5
0
0
0.01
Data signal.
0.005
0
0
0.01
0.005

Output

Optical receiver in simplest form is diode the converts power to current to power via R=P/I
b).
i).
Source power 10log10(30mW) = 14.77 dBm.
Multiplexer loss = 2 dB power. Ouput power = 12.77 dBm.
Fibre loss = 20 dB. Output power 12.77 20 = -7.23 dBm.
Demultiplexer loss = 1 dB + 10log10(8) = 10.
Output power = -7.23 10 = -17.23 dB m.
Optical filter as a dB 10log10(0.829) = -0.814
Output power = -17.23 0.814 = -18.044.
ii). Four wave mixing will cause the signals to beat.
This non-linearity will cause overlapping side tones.
The power of the signal will increase the level of the mixed components.
iii). Has a gain of 20 dB.
Does not affect transfer function of filter.
Power = -18.044 + 20 = 1.956.
101.956/10 = 1.568 mW.