Enhancement of Node-Induced Crosstalk by Nonlinear Effects in Nonzero Dispersion-Shifted Fiber Rings with Optical Add/Drop Multiplexers

Wavelength division multiplexed metropolitan networks have been attracting increasing attention in the networking research community. We discuss an issue that is pertinent to node design and transmission systems in these networks. The problem of node-induced crosstalk and its interaction with fiber nonlinearities is investigated. In this respect, we consider transmission systems that are based on nonzero dispersion-shifted fiber rings with simple optical add/drop multiplexing nodes. The system power penalty due to the crosstalk/nonlinear interaction phenomenon is calculated for several cases. Dependence of this penalty on the frequency difference between signal and crosstalk carriers, input-signal power, and extinction ratio is investigated. It is shown that the design of regional and metropolitan networks or links with physical spans in excess of 200 km has to take this crosstalk/nonlinear interaction phenomenon into consideration.