J. Opt. Commun.

2018; aop

Deepti Ahlawat*, Payal Arora and Suresh Kumar

Performance Evaluation of Proposed WDM Optical

Link Using EDFA and FBG Combination
https://doi.org/10.1515/joc-2018-0044 longer link lengths are being used for the overall
Received March 21, 2018; accepted May 3, 2018 improvement of system performance [1]. Therefore, the
use of optical amplifiers has solved the problem of sev-
Abstract: Analysis of wavelength division multiplexing
eral fiber losses and made the long haul communication
(WDM) system utilizing erbium-doped fiber amplifier
feasible without regenerators.
(EDFA) has been carried out by many researchers. In
Besides the fiber losses, optical fiber communication
this paper, the performance analysis of 8-channel WDM
system also suffers from dispersion and non-linearities.
system utilizing EDFA and fiber Bragg grating (FBG)
Dispersion limits the information carrying capacity of
combination is carried out in a wavelength band 1546–
system, lessens the operational bandwidth and increases
1552 nm at 10 Gbps. The performance of three apodization
the bit error rate (BER). Therefore, to compensate disper-
functions (Uniform, Gaussian and Tanh) of FBG is com-
sion, fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is used which acts as a
pared using return-to-zero (RZ) and non-return-to-zero
low-cost filter for wavelength selection [2].
modulation formats at fiber lengths 50, 60, 70 and
This paper presents a performance evaluation of opti-
80 km. Also, the performance of FBG is compared for
cal communication system utilizing EDFA and FBG com-
both aspects: with chirp and without chirp for grating
bination. Section 1 gives the block diagram explanation
lengths 5–10 mm. The Gaussian apodized and linearly
for the same. In Section 2, various apodization functions
chirped FBG outperformed the other two in compensating
of FBG are explained followed by related work in
chromatic dispersion. Optimum values of Q-factor are
Section 3. In Section 4, the designed communication
also obtained using linearly chirped FBG with RZ mod-
link along with various simulation parameters is
ulation format at 10 mm of grating length.
explained. The results are discussed in Section 5.
Keywords: EDFA, FBG, WDM, dense WDM (DWDM), RZ,
NRZ

2 EDFA- and FBG-based optical

1 Introduction communication link
In long haul transmissions, the optical signal gets atte-
EDFA being an optical repeater device is used to provide
nuated due to several fiber losses which ultimately
amplification in the third transmission window ranging
results in signal strength reduction. In order to recover
from 1550 to 600 nm. EDFA works in two bands, i.e.
the signals, optical amplifiers are needed. They operate
C-band and L-band, and wavelength range from 1525 to
in optical domain and require no optical to electrical
1565 nm referred to the C-band or the conventional band
conversion. Optical amplifiers are mainly categorized
and other band from 1568 to 1610 nm is called as the
into semiconductor optical amplifier and fiber amplifiers.
L-band or the long band [3].
Erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) falls in the category
FBG is used for reducing chromatic dispersion and
of fiber amplifiers. EDFA’s particular attraction is its large
act as a low-cost filter for wavelength selection. In FBG
gain with enormous capacity, which is of the order of
due to the periodic variations in refractive index (RI) of
tens of nanometers. EDFAs with its high pump power and
fiber core, it can reflect specific wavelengths. Fresnel
*Corresponding author: Deepti Ahlawat, ECE Department, University reflection is the fundamental principle behind the opera-
Institute of Engineering & Technology (UIET), Maharshi Dayanand tion of FBG [4]. The reflected wavelength denoted by λB ,
University (MDU), Rohtak, Haryana, India, known as the Bragg wavelength, is given by the equation
E-mail: deeptiahlawat5@gmail.com
Payal Arora: E-mail: payalarora325@gmail.com, Suresh Kumar: λB = 2ne Λ,
E-mail: skvashist_16@yahoo.com, ECE Department, University
Institute of Engineering & Technology (UIET), Maharshi Dayanand where ne denotes the effective RI of fiber core grating
University (MDU), Rohtak, Haryana, India and Ʌ gives the period of grating.

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2 D. Ahlawat et al.: Performance Evaluation of Proposed WDM Optical Link
"
2 !#
Z The incident broadband signal is split into two com-
T ðZ Þ = 1 + tanh T 1 − 2 . ponents – the transmitted and reflected components. The
Lg
Figure 1 shows the block diagram of optical link utilizing
EDFA and FBG which comprises of a wavelength division
multiplexing (WDM) transmitter and a multiplexer which
combines multiple signals at dissimilar wavelengths and
transmits them simultaneously on the same fiber. The
core section of EDFA contains an erbium-doped
fiber (EDF) which is pumped by using a laser source of
wavelength 980 or 1480 nm that provides signal amplifi-
cation [5]. After amplification, signal is passed through
FBG to compensate dispersion that selectively transmits
some wavelengths and reflects others. Isolators prevent
the back propagation of signals. WDM de-multiplexer is
used to separate dissimilar wavelengths for the receiver
channels. The BER analyzer is used to view the results.
3 Apodization functions of FBG
FBG acts as an inline optical filter that reflects specific
wavelengths of light and transmits all others. This is due
to the formation of wavelength-specific dielectric mirror
by adding periodic variations to the RI of the fiber core.
FBGs are made by laterally exposing the fiber core to the
periodic form of intense UV light. This exposure results in
increase in RI of the fiber core, producing a fixed mod-
ulation index which is known as grating. Figure 2 shows
the spectral response of FBG [6].
Figure 1: Block diagram of optical communication
link utilizing EDFA and FBG.
grating length (Lg) can be calculated by applying geo-
metric expression, which is given by
1 − MN
Lg = ^1 .
1−M
On the other hand, chirp is needed to reflect different
wavelengths at different time. A linear chirp in the grat-
ing period is introduced by
^N = M N − 1 ^1 ,
where Λ1 denotes the initial phase and M and N denote
the linear change in phase and the number of grating
period, respectively.
The apodization function modulates the grating
intensity over the grating length. The apodized and line-
arly chirped fiber Bragg gratings (LCFBGs) are usually
used to reduce the side lobe levels and to reduce the
group delay response ripple. Also, various apodization
profiles have unlike effects, so it becomes necessary to
explore and investigate the best apodization function for
dispersion compensation. It is also supposed that all
profiles are symmetric and normalized about the grating
center, thus T(0) = 1.
Gauss profile: TðZÞ = exp½ − GðZ=Lg Þ2 .

 2 
Tanh profile: T ðZ Þ = 1 + tan h T 1 − 2 LZg .
The parameters G and T are used to control the apodiza-
tion sharpness parameter.
Figure 2: Spectral response of FBG.
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 D. Ahlawat et al.: Performance Evaluation of Proposed WDM Optical Link
4 Related work
In [5], the authors have presented a detailed analysis of
32-channel EDFA-based DWDM system using return-to-
zero (RZ) and non-return-to-zero (NRZ) modulation formats
at fiber lengths 60, 80 and 100 km. Simulated results show
that with increase in fiber length, Q-factor decreases,
whereas BER increases. The system works optimally for RZ
modulation format at 100 km fiber length. In [6], the authors
have analyzed the dispersion compensation of system using
FBG at 10 and 20 Gbps at a fiber length of 25 km using
OptiSystem software in terms of input power, fiber length,
Q-factor and BER. And the simulative results show that as
the data rate increases, corresponding Q-factor decreases.
In [7], the authors have analyzed the system perfor-
mance of a single channel using FBG to compensate chro-
matic dispersion with variable grating lengths (75, 80, 85
and 90 mm) and apodization functions (Uniform, Gaussian
and Tanh). Simulative results show that on the basis of
Q-factor, Gaussian and Tanh functions provide better results
than Uniform function. In [8], the authors have implemen-
ted different pumping techniques to study the performance
of 32-channel WDM system using EDFA. Simulative results
show that among all pumping techniques, bi-directional
pumping has higher gain of 32 dB. The gain values obtained
at pumping wavelength 1480 nm are higher than 980 nm,
whereas noise figure is more at 980 nm.
In [9], the authors have analyzed a four-stage EDFA
in WDM arrangement in terms of gain and noise figure by
using pump powers of 0.1, 0.15 and 0.75 watts. This
design of EDFA can be employed in booster applications.
In [10], the authors evaluated the performance of
4 × 10 Gbps DWDM system using post-dispersion compensa-
tion with hybrid optical amplifier (Raman-EDFA) for differ-
ent modulation formats and different input power levels.
In [11], the authors have provided their work on two
types of optical fiber sensors. For long distance sensing,
150-km-long FBG temperature and vibration sensor sys-
tem are demonstrated, whereas in case of biomedical
sensing, micro-bend fiber sensors are used.
In [12], the authors have presented the theoretical
and analytical aspects of the silica-based EDFA made
up of three EDF stages arranged in a serial order having
two gain flattening filters between these stages.
In [13], the authors have measured the temperature
using three FBG sensors over an overhead transmission
line. It has been found that as the current and conductor
temperature rises, the variations due to wind and envir-
onment temperature increases and sometimes exceeds
the maximum allowable limits.
3
In [14], the authors have demonstrated a method for
measuring strain with improved sensitivity by employing
degenerated four-wave mixing and FBG sensors. The pro-
posed method provides a high impact on FBG sensor
application. In [15], the authors have presented their
work on recent developments of FBG sensors for photonic
applications. It has been concluded that due to their low
cost, small size, versatility and filtering properties, FBG
sensors have become a unique solution to a number of
microwave photonic applications.
In [16], the authors have described the use of FBG
sensors in a variety of intrusion detection systems for the
purpose of homeland security. FBG sensors can be used
as an in-ground pressure switch, as an embedded in-
ground acoustic sensor and as in-fence perimeter breach
detectors. In [2], the authors have designed an FBG-based
multiple temperature sensor array using five uniform
FBGs and analyzed the system response.
Study of the ongoing related work has motivated us
to use the FBG and EDFA combination, since earlier
works have been evaluated separately for each.
5 Proposed design and simulation
framework
The proposed designed layout for simulation using
OptiSystem is shown in Figure 3. The 8-channel
10 Gbps WDM system is simulated in a wavelength
band 1546–1552 nm. The communication link consists
of EDFA with a gain of 25 dB followed by FBG having
various apodization functions. The isolators are placed
in order to avoid the back propagation of signals that
offer a stable amplifier operation, whereas the noise
power is confined by using low-pass Bessel filter. The
BER analyzer is used for visual realization of eye dia-
grams depicting Q-factor.
The designed optical link utilizing EDFA and FBG
combination has been analyzed using OptiSystem soft-
ware based upon numerous qualitative parameters. The
various parameters used during simulation are shown in
Table 1 given below.
6 Results and discussion
We have focused on Q-factor variation of different apodiza-
tion functions with fiber length having RZ modulation at
1480-nm pumping wavelength and analyzed that among all
(Uniform, Gaussian and Tanh) functions, Gaussian and
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4 D. Ahlawat et al.: Performance Evaluation of Proposed WDM Optical Link

Figure 3: Designed system lay-

out for simulation.

Table 1: Simulation parameters. The Q-factor goes on reducing with increase in fiber
length for all apodization functions and thus the Q-factor
Parameters Values (units) follows an inverse relationship with fiber lengths. It is
also found that in RZ-modulated format, Gaussian and
Simulator OptiSystem V
Pump laser power  mW Tanh have greater Q-factor than Uniform function.
Pump laser frequency  nm The graphical results shown above are tabulated in
Modulation format RZ, NRZ Table 2.
Fiber length , , ,  km Table 2 shows the Q-factor values obtained with var-
EDFA gain  dB
iation in fiber length for various apodization functions for
Bit rate  Gbs
channel 1, channel 4 and channel 8.
Attenuation . dB/km
Grating length , , , , ,  mm As the apodization functions are used to suppress the
Apodization function Uniform, Gaussian, Tanh side lobe levels, but magnitude of the reflectivity also mat-
Chirp used Linear ters. Among all apodization profiles, the best profile is one
which shows a trade-off between maximum reduction of
side lobes and reflectivity. The reflectivity spectra of Tanh
Tanh have higher Q-factor than Uniform function over 50, and Gaussian profiles are shown in Figures 5 and 6.
60, 70 and 80 km of Fiber lengths. The grating length used
for this process is 5 mm without using any chirp. Figure 4
Table 2: Q-factor variation with fiber length for various apodization
shows the Q-factor variation with fiber length for various functions.
apodization functions for channel 1.
Channel number Fiber length (km) Q-factor

Uniform Gaussian Tanh

Channel   . . .

 . . .
 . . .
 . . .
Channel   . . .
 . . .
 . . .
 . . .
Channel   . . .
 . . .
 . . .
 . . .
Figure 4: Q-factor vs fiber length for various apodization functions.

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 D. Ahlawat et al.: Performance Evaluation of Proposed WDM Optical Link 5

It is found that with increase in transmission dis-

tance, its corresponding Q-factor values go on reducing.
Figure 8 shows the Q-factor variation with grating lengths
(5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 mm) with or without using linear
chirp for channel 1.

Q-factor Variation with Grating length For Channel 1

with and without Chirp
40

30

Q-factor
20

Figure 5: Reflection spectra of Tanh profile. 10 Non- chirp Linear Chirp

0
5mm 6mm 7mm 8mm 9mm 10mm
Grating Length

Figure 8: Q-factor variation with grating length for channel 1 with

and without using chirp.

Apodized and linearly chirped FBGs have become a

remedy to the problem of chromatic dispersion. The apo-
dization function used in this process is Gaussian due to
their reduced side lobes and maximum reflectivity.
The Q-factor using linear chirp is higher as compared
to absence of linear chirp. The graphical results shown
above are tabulated in Table 3.

Table 3: Q-factor variation with grating length for various apodiza-

Figure 6: Reflection spectra of Gaussian profile. tion functions.

Channel number Grating length (mm) Q-factor

Figure 7 shows the Q-factor variation with fiber length for
various apodization functions using NRZ modulation for- Linear chirp Without chirp
mats for channel 1. The fiber length is varied from 50 to
Channel   . .
80 km; grating length used is 5 mm without using any chirp.  . .
 . .
 . .
Q-factor Variation with Fiber length for various Apodization
 . .
functionsusingNRZmodulationformatforChannel1
 . .
10
Channel   . .
8  . .
Q-factor

 . .
6
 . .
4  . .
Uniform Gaussian  . .
2
Tanh Channel   . .
0  . .
50 km 60 km 70 km 80 km  . .
Fiber length  . .
 . .
Figure 7: Q-factor variation with fiber length for various apodization  . .
functions using NRZ modulation format.

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6 D. Ahlawat et al.: Performance Evaluation of Proposed WDM Optical Link

Table 3 shows the Q-factor values with varying grat-
ing length for channel 1, channel 4 and channel 8 with
and without using chirp at fiber length 50 km using
Gaussian function.
We have used BER analyzer to evaluate the perfor-
mance of designed optical link. In eye diagrams, a larger
eye opening is achieved using RZ modulation format than
NRZ. The width of eye opening gives the sampling time
for which detection is performed. The optimum sampling
time results in maximum eye opening which provides
greatest immunity to noise. Figure 9 shows the eye dia-
grams of Uniform, Gaussian and Tanh profiles for chan-
nel 1 using RZ and NRZ modulation schemes at 60 km
optical fiber length.
From eye diagrams, it is revealed that Gaussian and
Tanh apodization functions using RZ modulation formats
have larger opening as compared to profiles using NRZ
modulation formats. Also, the systems using RZ modulation
formats have higher Q-factor than NRZ modulation formats
they can be used for long haul communication systems.
Figure 10 shows the eye diagrams of Q-factor varia-
tion with grating length using Gaussian profile at 50 km
fiber length with or without using linear chirp.
It has been found that value of Q-factor using linear
chirp is greater than without using chirp. Hence, LCFBGs
have been used as a best remedy to reduce the chromatic
dispersion.
7 Conclusion
In this paper, we have evaluated the performance of three
apodization functions (Uniform, Gaussian and Tanh) of

Uniform RZ Uniform NRZ

Gaussian RZ Gaussian NRZ

Figure 9: BER analysis of various apodization

Tanh RZ Tanh NRZ functions at 60 km fiber length for RZ and NRZ.

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 D. Ahlawat et al.: Performance Evaluation of Proposed WDM Optical Link
Without Chirp With Linear Chirp
FBG with two modulation formats – RZ and NRZ. The ana-
lysis shows that on variation of Q-factor with fiber lengths
of 50, 60, 70 and 80 km for both modulations, the RZ-
modulated Gaussian apodized FBG performed better as
compared to other apodized functions over NRZ modulation
format. The Gaussian apodized function shows superior
performance with maximized reflectivity and reduced side
lobe levels having Q-factor values of 25.23, 19.45, 16.83 and
9.56. The Gaussian apodized function is 6.6 % better when
compared to Tanh and 13.5 % superior when compared to
uniform apodized profiles. However, with increase in fiber
length, Q-factor reduces. Further improvement in Q-factor
has been achieved, with increase in grating lengths from 5
to 10 mm with and without linear chirp. It is found that the
proposed model performs optimally and efficiently with a
Q-factor of 29.70 at 10 mm grating length. This is an
encouraging outcome for future researchers.
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