A novel approach to assess physical layer impairments using pulse broadening factor in dynamic transparent optical networks

In this paper we present an approximate analytical formula for root mean square (RMS) pulse width and give a novel approach based on pulse broadening factor to assess the nonlinear transmission characteristics of a fiber-optic communication link. We show that this approach can be applied to predict physical impairment penalties due to nonlinear effects for dynamic transparent optical networks. This can facilitate the optimization of system design and can be incorporated in impairment constraint based routing algorithms used by the control plane to enable real-time routing for the demanded connection.