Patent ID: 6829406
Filing Date: 2004-12-07
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
A method for determining the location and value of one or more dispersion compensating modules (DCMs) in an optical network, comprising the steps of:(a) determining a lightpath topology in the network; (b) determining an effective dispersion on each of the lightpaths in the network, the effective dispersion being an amount of dispersion accumulated along the lightpath which exceeds the maximum positive dispersion value Pos_Disp_Limit specified for the network; (c) if the effective dispersion is positive, calculating an effectiveness score for each combination of a DCM value and location in the network, the effectiveness score being a measure of dispersion compensation by the DCM over one or more lightpaths that pass through the DCM; (d) selecting the DCM location and value combination based on said effectiveness scores; and (e) repeating the steps (b) to (d) until the effective dispersion in the network is substantially zero.