Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to managing dispersion compensation in optical transmission line utilizing single mode fiber with no in-line dispersion compensation. A communication system terminal includes one or more dispersion compensation modules configured to compensate for at least a portion of optical dispersion associated with optical data signals supplied from the transmission line. A receiver communicatively coupled to the transmission line includes a digital signal processor configured to compensate for an additional portion of dispersion associated with the optical data signals converted to electrical signals by the receiver.

Abstract: A WDM optical transmission system and method uses slope compensation at the transmit terminal and/or the receive terminal. The system and method may be used with modulation formats with a short pulse width and a broad optical spectrum.

Abstract: The position and amount of localized polarization dependent anomalies such as polarization mode dispersion and/or polarization dependent loss may be measured by applying a polarization modulated probe signal to an optical transmission line. The polarization modulated probe signal is returned via optical feedback paths positioned along the line, and is detected by a probe signal receiver to identify the position and strength of the anomaly.

Abstract: An optical communication system configured to operate with optical signals at lower signal to noise ratios than previously contemplated. The communication system includes a receiver having an optical pre-processor coupled between a demultiplexer and a detector. The optical pre-processor includes either an optical polarization section having a polarization rotator and an optical polarizer, a phase modulation section that includes a phase modulator and a dispersion element and a clock recovery circuit, or an amplitude modulation section that includes an amplitude modulator clock recovery circuit and a spectral shaping filter.

Abstract: A WDM optical transmission system and method uses slope compensation at the transmit terminal and/or the receive terminal. The system and method may be used with modulation formats with a short pulse width and a broad optical spectrum.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises operationally coupled optical fiber segments that define an optical sublink. The optical sublink has link spans including a first link span and a second link span. The first link span has an average dispersion with a magnitude greater than zero. The second link span has an average dispersion with a magnitude greater than zero. The optical sublink has an end-to-end dispersion less than an end-to-end dispersion tolerance limit.

Abstract: A WDM optical communication system is provided that includes a transmitter and a receiver. An optical fiber transmission path couples the transmitter to the receiver. The transmission path includes at least one repeater having an optical amplifier located therein. A dispersion compensator is disposed at an intermediate point along the transmission path. The intermediate point is located outside of the repeater. The compensator includes a wavelength routing device for dividing a signal having a prescribed bandwidth into a plurality of distinct sub-bands. A plurality of output paths is provided for respectively receiving the plurality of distinct sub-bands. The dispersion compensator also includes a dispersion compensating optical element coupled to each of the output paths. Each dispersion compensating optical element substantially compensates for dispersion at a prescribed wavelength within the bandpass of its respective sub-band.

Abstract: A WDM optical communication system is provided that includes a transmitter and a receiver. An optical fiber transmission path couples the transmitter to the receiver. The transmission path includes at least one repeater having an optical amplifier located therein. A dispersion compensator is disposed at an intermediate point along the transmission path. The intermediate point is located outside of the repeater. The compensator includes a wavelength routing device for dividing a signal having a prescribed bandwidth into a plurality of distinct sub-bands. A plurality of output paths is provided for respectively receiving the plurality of distinct sub-bands. The dispersion compensator also includes a dispersion compensating optical element coupled to each of the output paths. Each dispersion compensating optical element substantially compensates for dispersion at a prescribed wavelength within the bandpass of its respective sub-band.