Patent ID: 6778321
Filing Date: 2004-08-17
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
A fiber optic transmission system for a metropolitan area network, comprising:a plurality of interface devices operable to be coupled to a fiber optic transmission link in a metropolitan area network, the fiber optic transmission link carrying an optical signal and having a length of 300 km or less, wherein the link comprises a transmission loss associated with an unpumped state, and wherein the plurality of interface devices collectively introduce a loss of at least 6 decibels to the link; and a distributed Raman amplifier stage coupled to the link, the distributed Raman amplifier stage operable to pump at least a portion of the link to reduce the transmission loss of the at least a portion of the link compared to its unpumped state, the reduced link transmission loss facilitating allocation of at least a portion of a gain to at least partially offset the loss associated with the plurality of interface devices.