Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a simple theory that accounts for the behavior of the performance of a direct-detection transmission system, when the position of an optical amplifier varies along the optical link. This model shows that there exists a location for the amplifier that optimizes the span of the system. Furthermore, this optimum depends on the relevant parameters of both the optical amplifier and the system. Theoretical predictions have been compared with an experiment at 565 Mbit/s, showing a good agreement between theoretical and experimental data. Finally, some conclusions are also provided.

© 1994 Optical Society of America