A new WDM amplifier cascade for improved performance in wavelength-routed optical transport networks

We propose a new wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) optical amplifier ca scade, based on erbium-doped fiber amplifiers, gain equalizing filters, and arrays of integrated waveguide amplifiers, to ensure good performance in w avelength-routed optical transport networks without the need for a complex centralized network control. To prove its efficiency, we propose this confi guration for the National Science Foundation Network and we analyze its per formance under critical conditions of link failure restoration. Computed re sults demonstrate that the self-regulating properties of this WDM amplifier cascade make these networks robust against link failures. (C) 1999 Academi c Press.