Reduced model to describe SPM-limited fiber transmission in dispersion-managed lightwave systems

A reduced model to describe self-phase modulation (SPM)-limited fiber transmission in dispersion-managed lightwave systems is presented. By introducing a new figure of merit, the maximum transmission distance versus optical power can be determined without any numerical simulation. Together with simplified models for other nonlinear fiber effects, a useful set of design rules for a first-order performance estimation of wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) systems is established.