Patent ID: 7734187
Filing Date: 2010-06-08
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. An optical communication system having a system bandwidth that includes a plurality of differential phase shift keying (DPSK) modulated channels, said system comprising: a transmitter configured to transmit a plurality of optical signals at different associated wavelengths within a signal band of wavelengths included in said system bandwidth using a DPSK modulation format, wherein said system bandwidth includes the entire range of said wavelengths at which optical signals are transmitted by said transmitter; a receiver configured to receive said plurality of optical signals; and a transmission path extending between said transmitter and said receiver, said transmission path comprising at least one dispersion accumulation portion configured to allow accumulation of dispersion at a rate of −0.4 ps/nm/km or more negative for at least one of said wavelengths, and at least one dispersion compensation portion coupled to said dispersion accumulation portion and configured to compensate for at least a portion of the dispersion accumulated on said dispersion accumulation portion; wherein said transmission path establishes a negative average dispersion across said wavelengths such that negative dispersion accumulated on said dispersion accumulation portion is returned to a zero or near zero dispersion level for a minimum dispersion wavelength that is outside of said system bandwidth.