Link Optimization and Performance Analysis of a 40 Gbps DQPSK Modulated Ultra DWDM System with 32 Orthogonally Polarized channels

Abstract The demand for higher speed at a lesser transmission cost per bit resulted in growth of optical networks with improved spectral efficiency even at narrower channel spacing. Incorporation of multilevel modulation formats in DWDM system led to the exploration of the 25 GHz channel grid, popularly known as Ultra Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexed (UDWDM) systems, opening new research frontiers. At such channel spacing's, non-linear optical effects impose severe system impairments and hence robust modulation schemes are currently being investigated. This paper presents a simulative model to implement and analyze alternative polarized DQPSK modulated UDWDM system to evaluate its resilience to XPM and fiber nonlinearity. An UDWDM system supporting 32 channels, each operating at 40 Gbps and spaced at 25 GHz is studied numerically for long-haul optical communication system using OptiSystem simulator to estimate OSNR penalties to mitigate XPM effects. The major detrimental factors encountered in link design have been estimated to evaluate the system performance in terms of Q value for different number of channels and with varied input power. The analysis reports acceptable performance for DQPSK format up to a link distance of 1500 Km and also claims a better tolerance to dispersion and nonlinearities at higher input power levels.