Maximum-channel-number investigation of limiting-amplified multiwavelengthdispersion compensator incorporating chirped fiber gratings

We theoretically investigate the design of an optical limiting-amplified mu ltiwavelength dispersion compensator (LDC) incorporating multiple chirped f iber gratings (CFGs) and a common bidirectional erbium-doped fiber (EDF) am plifier. The LDC provides simultaneous dispersion compensation and limiting amplification of multiple dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) si gnals. The design criteria for multiwavelength LDC are to provide high cons tant channel output power and low interchannel differential power by optimi zation of the EDF length. The influence of the CFG's rejection ratio on the LDC is addressed. The dynamic range and maximum channel number of the LDC are studied. The multiwavelength LDC may facilitate easier DWDM system desi gn flexibility and network implementation.