Multi-channel long-distance optical fiber transmission using dispersion-induced microwave transmission windows

In this paper, the model and implementation of an optical transmission system using a multi-longitudinal mode optical source and a dispersive optical channel are described. Such a system exhibits multi-bandpass transmission windows, as a result of a combination of the wideband optical spectrum and chromatic dispersion on the optical channel. As shown in this paper, the band-pass windows are centered at frequencies that depend on the spectral free range of the optical source and optical channel length. In the telecommunications domain, band-pass transmission windows can be used for multiplexing analog and/or digital signals, as an alternative way for transmitting baseband and modulated subcarriers, through optical-fiber links. To show such a potential application, the multiplexed transmission of two microwave signals, using two adjacent band-pass windows, is also described in this paper. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 36: 202–206, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10720