Scalability of optical networks: Crosstalk limitations

Optical networks represent a promising solution for the future high capacit y and flexible transport network. This paper presents a model for the perfo rmance evaluation of optical networks with respect to linear crosstalk and accumulated spontaneous emission noise. The proposed model is intended for the evaluation of the crosstalk requirements on the devices needed to suppo rt an optical network with a certain number of nodes and with a given level of bit-error rate.