Analytical estimate for nonlinear distortion dur to fiber in SCM-WDM lightwave system

Lightwave systems using subcarrier multiplexing and wavelength division multiplexing can satisfy the growing requirements for broadband access to consumers. Here, using a general analytical method to estimate the nonlinear distortion in SCM-WDM lightwave systems, new results for intermodulation products (IMPs) are presented. This method takes into account both chromatic dispersion and Kerr effect in the fiber and leads to simple closed-form expressions. It provides us an efficient tool to predict the nonlinear intermodulation evolution in SCM lightwave system over fiber accurately. The results show the significance of 2nd and 3rd order IMPs for SCM-WDM and SCM radio-over-fiber systems, respectively. Our study shows that in standard single mode fiber (SSMF), the rapid increase of 3rd order IMPs sets an upper limit to the optical power that one can use in an SCM RoF system