English

Introducing Combined Effects of Filtering and ASE Noise in Optical Links Supposing Different Equalization Algorithms

Signal Processing 2025-09-03 v2

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive analytical framework for evaluating filtering penalties in ASE-noise-limited coherent optical links. The model accounts for the cumulative effects of cascaded optical filters, amplifier-induced ASE noise, and transceiver noise, alongside digital equalization at the receiver. By developing a generalized channel representation, we derive closed-form expressions for signal-to-noise ratio degradation under various equalization strategies, including Zero-Forcing Equalizer, Minimum Mean Square Error Equalizer, and Fractionally Spaced Equalizer. These models capture the impact of colored noise resulting from linear filtering and provide both time and frequency-domain insights. The proposed framework is validated through experimental comparisons using accurately modeled optical filters, demonstrating close agreement between theory and practice and offering a robust foundation for system-level performance evaluation in metro-access networks.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2504.17408,
  title  = {Introducing Combined Effects of Filtering and ASE Noise in Optical Links Supposing Different Equalization Algorithms},
  author = {Enrico Miotto and Andrea Rosso and Emanuele Virgillito and Stefano Straullu and Andrea Castoldi and Andrea Bovio and Francisco Martinez Rodriguez and Vittorio Curri},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2504.17408},
  year   = {2025}
}