Fast frequency allocation in WDM systems with unequally spaced channels

A new method for allocating the unequally space channels (USCs) in WDM systems to minimise the crosstalk caused by four-wave mixing is presented. The proposed method has the advantages of easy computer implementation, fast generation of USC sets, and flexible change of system parameters. The results show that a larger-size set can be easily constructed from the smaller-size set to facilitate engineering applications. The optimal/suboptimal USC sets are also obtained.