A cluster expansion approach to modelling single-channel bit string propagation in optical fibers

A method for determining the nonlinear propagation of a wavetrain of non-re turn to zero (NRZ) pulses in an optical fiber is presented. The evolution o f a bit string is calculated by propagating the fundamental pulses individu ally without interpulse effects and then systematically adding corrections due to two, three, and higher order interacting pulses. This approach can b e used to reduce the computational time for propagating a long wavetrain or a set of many similar bit strings. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All righ ts reserved.