Simulation of pulse propagation considering linear and nonlinear effects in a single mode optical fiber

Abstract

Light wave communication systems using fibers as the communication medium, for transmission network started at 1980. Because of the low-loss and wide bandwidth transmission characteristics of optical fibers, they are ideally suited for carrying voice, data and video signals in a high-information-capacity system. Education in optical communication systems must include an understanding of the basic building blocks of optical devices and their properties as well as interplay between them. Physical scales ranges from nanometer device features to thousands of kilometers of optical fiber links. To meet the growing demand of huge bandwidth, optical communication systems continue to evolve at a rapid pace and the focus of industry research has shifted from long haul to metro to the home networks. The signal quality depends on many parameters and device characteristics of light sources, modulators, optical fiber, photo-detectors and receiver electronics. The function of signal propagation phenomena through the fiber is quite subtle to understand. Due to absence optical communication lab or proper hardware, it is often difficult to demonstrate realistic optical signal propagation through the fiber. For a student studying optical system design becomes easy by overcoming the various impairments and maintaining a minimum signal quality through educational simulation system. In this project, an attempt has been made to develop a photonic software system to demonstrate the various properties of optical fiber and mechanism of signal propagation through it. This software system can be a valuable aid in the education of optical communication systems. It will provide a convenient method to move past the abstract level of theory to gain insight into physical phenomenon associated with optical transmission systems. It certainly provides more freedom to explore design parameters than analytic calculation and physical experiments. This also allows students to develop an intuitive understanding of optics in a rapid way. It is expected that the computer simulation will enhance our fiber optic courses significantly by adding a reasonably realistic and accessible test bed for designs.