Multigigabit networks: the challenge

Candidate transmitters, optical amplifiers, and detectors that can meet the very demanding constraints for digital multigigabit long-haul terrestrial communication systems through conventional fiber are reviewed. The focus is on optical devices capable of approximately 10-GHz response. Electronic issues are not addressed. The performance of existing and future external modulators, optical fiber amplifiers, and detectors is summarized. Some dispersion compensation schemes are examined, and the use of dispersion-shifted fiber for extending the reach of terrestrial networks is examined.<>