Abstract: An optical communication system supporting detection and communication networks. A communication network transmission path and the detection network transmission path are provided as separate paths established by separate fibers or fiber pairs of the same optical fiber cable. All of the elements coupled to the communication network transmission path and the detection network transmission path may be powered by the same power feed equipment through the same optical fiber cable power conductor.

Abstract: An optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) and system incorporating the same for maintaining loading of WDM channels with loading signals or information signals when signals are added or dropped. The OADM may include reconfigurable band pass filters having a transmittance characteristic controllable using a command signal. Selective filtering of loading signals and/or information signals received from branch and trunk paths allows an output WDM signal including information signals on utilized channels and loading signals on all unutilized channels.

Abstract: An optical communication system supporting detection and communication networks. A communication network transmission path and the detection network transmission path are provided as separate paths established by separate fibers or fiber pairs of the same optical fiber cable. All of the elements coupled to the communication network transmission path and the detection network transmission path may be powered by the same power feed equipment through the same optical fiber cable power conductor.

Abstract: An optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) and system incorporating the same for maintaining loading of WDM channels with loading signals or information signals when signals are added or dropped. The OADM may include reconfigurable band pass filters having a transmittance characteristic controllable using a command signal. Selective filtering of loading signals and/or information signals received from branch and trunk paths allows an output WDM signal including information signals on utilized channels and loading signals on all unutilized channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for managing chromatic dispersion in an NRZ-based WDM long-haul optical transmission system so that nonlinearities are reduced, especially those at the edge channels of the band. The method includes using between 500 ps/nm and 2000 ps/nm of residual dispersion and a 40%/60% pre/post DCU split ratio when the channel wavelengths are shorter than the zero dispersion wavelength. Using these dispersion compensation rules, the nonlinear propagation effects in NRZ-based WDM systems is reduced, thus allowing for higher optical power per channel and/or longer transmission distances.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for managing chromatic dispersion in an NRZ-based WDM long-haul optical transmission system so that nonlinearities are reduced, especially those at the edge channels of the band. The method includes using between 500 ps/nm and 2000 ps/nm of residual dispersion and a 40%/60% pre/post DCU split ratio when the channel wavelengths are shorter than the zero dispersion wavelength. Using these dispersion compensation rules, the nonlinear propagation effects in NRZ-based WDM systems is reduced, thus allowing for higher optical power per channel and/or longer transmission distances.