Accuracy of Fiber Propagation Evaluation Using Phenomenological Attenuation and Raman Scattering Models in Multiband Optical Networks
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The constant growth of IP data traffic, driven by sustained annual increases surpassing 26%, is pushing current optical transport infrastructures towards their capacity limits. Since the deployment of new fiber cables is economically demanding, ultra-wideband transmission is emerging as a promising costly-effective solution, enabled by multi-band amplifiers and transceivers spanning the entire low-loss window of standard single-mode fibers. In this scenario, an accurate modeling of the frequency-dependent fiber parameters is essential to reliably model optical signal propagation. In particular, the combined impact of attenuation slope and inter-channel stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) fundamentally shapes the power evolution of wide wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) combs and directly affects nonlinear interference (NLI) generation. In this work, a set of analytical approximations for the frequency-dependent attenuation and Raman gain coefficient is presented, providing an effective balance between computational efficiency and physical fidelity. Through extensive simulations covering C, C+L, and ultra-wideband U-to-E transmission scenarios, the accuracy in reproducing the behavior of the power evolution and NLI profiles of fully numerical SRS models with the proposed approximations is demonstrated.
Source: Network
Authors: Giuseppina Rizzi, Vittorio Curri
Institution: Politecnico di Torino
Language: English
Topic: Optical Network Technologies
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,207
OpenAlex ID: W7135077489