Abstract:
An optical transmission system includes a first/second node with a first/second dispersion compensator that performs a first/second dispersion compensation on an optical signal; and a third node that is arranged between the first/second nodes. The amounts of the first/second dispersion compensations are determined so that a cumulative dispersion of the optical signal after the second dispersion compensation is within a predetermined range.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No.2005-055213, filed on Feb. 28, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a technology for keeping a cumulative dispersion of an optical signal transmitted through an optical transmission system, which includes a plurality of optical add/drop multiplexers (OADMs) with dispersion compensators, within a predetermined range.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Recently, an optical transmission system having 10 Gbit/s (10 gigabits) as a bit rate is progressively commercialized in the optical communication field. However, there is still a strong demand from users for the provision of a conventional low-cost 2.4 Gbit/s (2.4 gigabits) optical transmission apparatus.  
         [0006]     A technique of an error correction code of an optical signal (a forward error correction (FEC) technique) is not conventionally used in the 2.4 gigabit optical transmission system. Therefore, a transmission distance of an optical signal based on an optical signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is limited to about 600 kilometers. Regarding optical signals used in the 2.4 gigabit optical transmission system, residual dispersion tolerance that expresses a permissible range of dispersion of the optical signals is as large as about 10,000 ps/nm. At the maximum transmission distance of about 600 kilometers, cumulative dispersion does not exceed the residual dispersion tolerance. Consequently, it is not necessary to compensate for dispersion of the optical signals. In other words, the transmission distance of the 2.4 gigabit optical transmission system is limited by the optical SNR, and is not limited by the chromatic dispersion.  
         [0007]     On the other hand, in the 10 gigabit optical transmission system, chromatic dispersion occurs in excess of the residual dispersion tolerance at the maximum transmission distance of optical signals based on the optical SNR. Therefore, dispersion compensation is necessary for the optical signals. A method of uniformly compensating for dispersion is available by adopting dispersion compensators, at each repeater (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-331074).  
         [0008]      FIG. 13  is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a system that compensates for chromatic dispersion in the conventional 10 gigabit optical transmission system. In the optical transmission system shown in  FIG. 13 , a regeneration repeater (REG)  1201  is disposed on a transmission path  100 . Each time an optical signal is input to the REG  1201 , the REG  1201  converts the optical signal into an electric signal, thereby correcting a collapse of a waveform due to noise and dispersion. The REG  1201  converts the electric signal obtained by the conversion from the optical signal into an optical signal again, and transmits this optical signal to the transmission path  100 .  
         [0009]     Plural optical add/drop multiplexers (OADM)  1202  are provided as nodes on the transmission path  100 . Each OADM  1202  drops an optical signal from the transmission path  100 , and externally adds an optical signal to the transmission path  100 . The OADM  1202  includes a dispersion compensation fiber (DCF)  1203  as a dispersion compensator, and can compensates for dispersion of optical signals.  
         [0010]      FIG. 14  depicts a relationship between dispersion compensation and residual dispersion tolerance in the optical transmission system shown in  FIG. 13 . In  FIG. 14 , the vertical axis represents cumulative dispersion D [ps/nm], and the horizontal axis represents the number of spans. The number of spans means the number of transmission path fibers between the nodes counted from a starting point. Nodes include repeaters such as linear repeaters and OADMs. In the examples shown in  FIG. 13  and  FIG. 14 , the nodes are the OADMs  1202  on the transmission path  100  from a point R 1  to a point R 2 .  
         [0011]     In  FIG. 14 , a solid line N in a sawtooth shape represents cumulative dispersion of optical signals at each transmission position. A shaded part represents residual dispersion tolerance T that expresses a permissible range of dispersion of optical signals. With a shortest transmission distance, the residual dispersion tolerance T is about 1,000 ps/nm. When optical signals that are input to the regeneration repeater  1201  or each OADM  1202  are not within the range of residual dispersion tolerance T, these optical signals are not recognized or are received as error signals. It is desirable that all optical signals are within the range of the residual dispersion tolerance T in the whole transmission sector. Particularly, all optical signals are desirably within an optimum range of residual dispersion at R 2 . To achieve this, the DCF  1203  shown in  FIG. 13  compensates for dispersion for each span. At each of 1, 2, . . . , m−1, and m that represent the numbers of spans on the horizontal axis, a vertical solid line represents dispersion compensation in each node. These vertical solid lines indicate that cumulative dispersion changes in each node.  
         [0012]     However, recently, the FEC technique is also introduced in the 2.4 gigabit system. Since a maximum transmission distance of optical signals limited by the optical signal-to-noise ratio increases based on the FEC technique, dispersion compensation becomes necessary. In other words, the cumulative dispersion of optical signals that are transmitted to the maximum transmission distance exceeds the residual dispersion tolerance. Consequently, dispersion compensation of the optical signals becomes necessary.  
         [0013]      FIG. 15  is an explanatory diagram of the conventional 2.4 gigabit optical transmission system.  FIG. 16  is an explanatory diagram of a method of compensating for chromatic dispersion in the conventional 2.4 gigabit optical transmission system. In the 2.4 gigabit optical transmission system shown in  FIG. 15 , dispersion compensation is not carried out. In the 2.4 gigabit optical transmission system shown in  FIG. 16 , dispersion compensation is carried out using the DCF  1203 . In  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16 , like reference numerals designate like constituent elements as those shown in  FIG. 13 , and therefore, redundant explanation is omitted.  
         [0014]      FIG. 17  depicts a relationship between dispersion compensation and residual dispersion tolerance in the optical transmission system shown in  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16 . In  FIG. 17 , the vertical axis represents cumulative dispersion D [ps/nm], and the horizontal axis represents the number of spans. A solid line N 1  at an upper part of the diagram expresses dispersion of optical signals in  FIG. 15 , and a solid line N 2  in a sawtooth shape at a lower part expresses dispersion of optical signals shown in  FIG. 16 . Residual dispersion tolerance T shown by hatched lines becomes about 16,000 ps/nm, and this width is 16 times that of the 10 gigabit optical transmission system.  
         [0015]     Regarding the cumulative dispersion N 1  shown in  FIG. 17  where dispersion compensation based on the configuration shown in  FIG. 14  is not carried out, the cumulative dispersion exceeds the residual dispersion tolerance T when the distance increases from R 2  to R 2 ′. In this case, the DCF  1203  is disposed in all the OADMs  1202  in all nodes as shown in  FIG. 16 , thereby reducing the cumulative dispersion N 2 . However, compensation carried out by each DCF  1203  is set to a small level. Cost of the optical transmission system depends on the number of disposed DCFs  1203 . Therefore, the dispersion compensation method of disposing the DCFs  12  in all the OADMs  1202  in all nodes as shown in  FIG. 16  increases cost.  
         [0016]     According to the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-331074, dispersion compensation is carried out in a point-to-point transmission, by having one transmission end and one reception end fixed for optical signals. Recently, multiple functions of nodes (relay points) are required in the optical transmission system. Optical signals are added or dropped at any position on the transmission path such as an OADM, a wavelength cross connect (an optical hub). Therefore, even when an optical signal is added from any node or dropped from any node, cumulative dispersion needs to be accommodated within residual dispersion tolerance.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     It is an object of the present invention to at least solve the problems in the conventional technology.  
         [0018]     An optical transmission system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of nodes each of which adds/drops an optical signal to/from a transmission path. The nodes include: a first node that includes a first dispersion compensator that performs a first dispersion compensation on the optical signal; a second node that is arranged downstream of the first node and includes a second dispersion compensator that performs a second dispersion compensation on the optical signal; and a third node that is arranged between the first node and the second node. An amount of the first dispersion compensation and an amount of the second dispersion compensation are determined so that a cumulative dispersion of the optical signal after the second dispersion compensation is within a predetermined range.  
         [0019]     An optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) in an optical transmission system according to another aspect of the present invention includes a dispersion compensator that performs a dispersion compensation on an optical signal from any one of a first optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) with a dispersion compensator and a second optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) without a dispersion compensator. An amount of the dispersion compensation is determined so that a cumulative dispersion of the optical signal after the dispersion compensation is within a predetermined range.  
         [0020]     A dispersion compensation method according to still another aspect of the present invention is for an optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) in an optical transmission system. The OADM includes a dispersion compensator that performs a dispersion compensation on an optical signal from any one of a first optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) with a dispersion compensator and a second optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) without a dispersion compensator. An amount of the dispersion compensation is determined so that a cumulative dispersion of the optical signal after the dispersion compensation is within a predetermined range.  
         [0021]     The other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are specifically set forth in or will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]      FIG. 1  is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a chromatic dispersion compensation system according to the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of an optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) fitted with dispersion compensation fibers (DCF);  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of an optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) fitted with dispersion compensation fibers (DCF);  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a graph of a relationship between dispersion compensation and residual dispersion tolerance in the chromatic dispersion compensation system shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is an explanatory diagram of an example of an optical signal added and dropped by the OADMs fitted with the DCFs after transmitting the optical signal during one span;  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is a graph of a relationship between cumulative dispersion and residual dispersion tolerance in the example of optical signals shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 7  is a graph of a setting of residual dispersion tolerance during a maximum span;  
         [0029]      FIG. 8  is an explanatory diagram of permissible dispersion compensation fiber loss of an optical amplifier;  
         [0030]      FIG. 9  is a graph of a result of calculating dispersion of optical signals when the DCFs are disposed using a chromatic dispersion compensation method according to the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 10  is an explanatory diagram of an example of add positions of optical signals when the DCFs are disposed using the chromatic dispersion compensation method according to the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 11  is a graph of a result of calculating dispersion of optical signals at, for example, add positions shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 12  is an explanatory diagram of another configuration of a chromatic dispersion compensation system according to the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 13  is an explanatory diagram of a method of compensating for chromatic dispersion in a conventional 10 gigabit optical transmission system;  
         [0035]      FIG. 14  is a graph of a relationship between dispersion compensation and residual dispersion tolerance in the chromatic dispersion compensation system shown in  FIG. 13 ;  
         [0036]      FIG. 15  is an explanatory diagram of a conventional 2.4 gigabit optical transmission system;  
         [0037]      FIG. 16  is an explanatory diagram of a method of compensating for chromatic dispersion in the conventional 2.4 gigabit optical transmission system; and  
         [0038]      FIG. 17  is a graph of a relationship between dispersion compensation and residual dispersion tolerance in the chromatic dispersion compensation system shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0039]     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0040]      FIG. 1  is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a chromatic dispersion compensation system according to the present invention. The chromatic dispersion compensation system includes a pair of regeneration repeaters (REGs)  101 , and plural optical add/drop multiplexers (OADMs)  102  disposed as node between these REGs  101 , on the transmission path  100 . According to the present invention, dispersion compensation fibers (DCFs)  103  are cyclically fitted (at every predetermined node) in the OADMs  102 .  
         [0041]     The transmission path  100  is an optical fiber through which optical signals multiplexed with specific wavelength bands are transmitted. The REG  101  is disposed at each equal interval, for example, at every 2,000 kilometers, on the transmission path  100  as shown in  FIG. 1 . This is a maximum transmission distance in which optical signals can be recognized without error, because waveforms of optical signals collapse due to a noise signal in proportion to a transmission distance of the transmission path  100 . The REG  101  converts an input optical signal into an electric signal, and generates an optical signal again from the converted electric signal, thereby shaping the waveforms, and outputting the waveform-shaped optical signal to the transmission path  100 . Plural OADMs  102  are provided as nodes that drop and add optical signals, between the two REGs  101 , that is, between R 1  and R 2 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 2  is an explanatory diagram of a configuration example of an OADM fitted with the DCF. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the OADM  102  includes two optical amplifiers  200  and  200  that are disposed at an input side and an output side respectively of the transmission path  100 , and a dropping device  201  and an adding device  202  that are disposed respectively between the optical amplifiers  200  and  200 . The DCF  103  is fitted to each optical amplifier  200 . A receiver (Rx)  203  is fitted for each wavelength of an optical signal, in the dropping device  201 . Similarly, a transmitter (Tx)  204  is fitted for each wavelength of the optical signal, in the adding device  202 . The DCF  103  compensates for dispersion of optical signals transmitted on the transmission path  100 , each time when the optical signals pass through the optical amplifier  200 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 3  is an explanatory diagram of a configuration example of the OADM not fitted with the DCFs. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the OADM  102  includes the two optical amplifiers  200  and  200  that are disposed at an input side and an output side respectively of the transmission path  100 , and the dropping device  201  and the adding device  202  that are disposed respectively between the optical amplifiers  200  and  200 . The receiver (Rx)  203  is fitted for each wavelength of an optical signal, in the dropping device  201 . Similarly, the transmitter (Tx)  204  is fitted for each wavelength of the optical signal, in the adding device  202 . In the above chromatic dispersion compensation system, the following method of compensating for chromatic dispersion is used to carry out optimum dispersion compensation.  
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is a graph of a relationship between dispersion compensation and residual dispersion tolerance in the chromatic dispersion compensation system shown in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 4 , the vertical axis represents cumulative dispersion D [ps/nm], and the horizontal axis represents the number of spans. A solid line N in a sawtooth shape expresses cumulative dispersion of optical signals, and a shaded part expresses residual dispersion tolerance. Values shown on the horizontal axis correspond to those shown in  FIG. 1 . R 1  and R 2  represent positions of the REG  101 . #1 to #m express positions of the DCFs  103 .  
         [0045]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , cumulative dispersion D of optical signals output from the REG  101  at R 1  increases by Dspan corresponding to the number of spans. Dispersion compensation DDCF is carried out to the optical signals at n 1  to nm as nodes of chromatic dispersion in  FIG. 4 . As shown by the node nm, even when the cumulative dispersion D of optical signals input to the node nm exceeds the residual dispersion tolerance, the DCF  103  in the node nm compensates for dispersion, and the cumulative dispersion D is within the residual dispersion tolerance at R 2 .  
         [0046]     To dispose the OADM  102  (see  FIG. 1 ) that is fitted with the DCF  103  so as to accommodate the cumulative dispersion D of the optical signals within the range of the residual dispersion tolerance as shown in  FIG. 4 , the following items 1 to 3 are taken into account. 
    1. A cyclic dispersion map is used. Specifically, the DCF  103  is disposed at equal intervals such as at every one span or every two spans.     2. Dispersion compensators are disposed integrally. Specifically, a level of compensation carried out by the DCFs  103  that are cyclically disposed is set as high as possible. With this arrangement, the number of dispositions of the DCFs  103  can be minimized.     3. Cumulative dispersion of optical signals is accommodated within the range of dispersion compensation tolerance, for all routes of optical signals, that is, for all patterns of adding and dropping of optical signals. This is a constraint to the above items 1 and 2.    
 
         [0050]     It is assumed herein that: m represents the necessary number of DCFs  103 ; i represents the number of spans from R 1 ; Dmax represents an upper limit of the residual dispersion tolerance T at R 2 ; □D_ represents a lower limit of the residual dispersion tolerance T of optical signals at R 1 ; and DDCF represents compensation in each DCF  103 . From the condition shown in the following expression (1), a minimum required number of the DCFs  103  in the section from R 1  to R 2  (2,000 kilometers) can be determined.  
             m   ≥           ∑   i     ⁢     D   i       -     D   max           -   Δ     ⁢           ⁢   D_               (   1   )             
 
         [0051]     However, while the compensation DDCF is the compensation in each DCF  103  based on the integrated disposition of dispersion compensators described in the item 2 above, it is set as ΔD_ in the above expression (1). The following three items are limiting factors for determining the upper limit of the compensation DDCF. A smallest value among these three items is set as compensation. 
    Item 1: Secured transmission characteristic of a signal that is dropped in the OADM having a DCF after transmitting during only one span;     Item 2: Residual dispersion tolerance during a maximum span; and     Item 3: Permissible dispersion compensation fiber loss of the optical amplifier.    
 
         [0055]     The above items are explained below in order.  
         [0056]      FIG. 5  is an explanatory diagram of an example of an optical signal added and dropped by the OADMs fitted with the DCFs after transmitting the optical signal during one span.  FIG. 6  is a graph of a relationship between cumulative dispersion and residual dispersion tolerance in the example of optical signals shown in  FIG. 5 . The item 1 is explained first. In  FIG. 6 , the vertical axis represents cumulative dispersion D [ps/nm], and the horizontal axis represents the number of spans. A shaded part represents the residual dispersion tolerance T.  
         [0057]     As shown by a path a shown in  FIG. 5 , when the OADM  102  drops an optical signal immediately after the adjacent OADM  102  inputs this optical signal, the chromatic dispersion of the optical signal occurs in only the section shown by Dspan. In this case, a cumulative dispersion position G of the optical signals that are dispersion compensated by the compensation DDCF after the Dspan dispersion shown in  FIG. 6  needs to be set not lower than the residual dispersion tolerance T. Therefore, the compensation DDCF is limited by the following expression (2).
 
 D   DCF   ≧ΔD   —   −D   span   (2)
 
         [0058]     In this case, a minimum value during the total spans is used for the dispersion Dspan. Therefore, when an optical signal is dropped during a very short span, the value of Dspan is substantially zero, and the expression (2) is approximated to DDCF=□D_.  
         [0059]      FIG. 7  is a graph of a setting of residual dispersion tolerance during a maximum span. The item 2 is explained with reference to  FIG. 7 . In  FIG. 7 , the vertical axis represents cumulative dispersion D [ps/nm], and the horizontal axis represents the number of spans. A shaded part represents the residual dispersion tolerance T. The dispersion until when the DCF  103  compensates for the dispersion is expressed as Dspan. The residual dispersion tolerance T during the maximum span should be such that optical signals can be dropped during a maximum span N, that is, both at a point H where dropping is carried out after the disposed DCF  103  and at a point I that is the pre-stage (N−1)-th span (there is no DCF). When the level of compensation carried out by the DCF  103  is too high, the above conditions are not satisfied. Therefore, compensation is limited. As shown in  FIG. 7 , a change in dispersion of optical signals from the point I to the point H is Dspan+DDCF. The compensation needs to be larger than the opposite sign of the residual dispersion tolerance −□D, at least. Therefore, the expression (3) becomes the necessary condition.
   D   DCF   ≧−D   span   −ΔD   (3) 
         [0060]      FIG. 8  is an explanatory diagram of permissible dispersion compensation fiber loss of the optical amplifier. The item 3 is explained. As shown in  FIG. 8 , when the OADM  102  has the DCF  103 , when the loss of the DCF becomes too large due to the increase in the dispersion compensation, an optical signal-to-noise ratio becomes smaller. To compensate for excessive loss, many optical amplifiers  200  need to be provided which increases cost, and does not meet the primary objective.  
         [0061]     In the 2.4 gigabit optical transmission system, it is most difficult to satisfy the item 1 among the above three items. Therefore, in most cases, the compensation DDCF is limited by the expression (2). However, when the limit of the compensation DDCF is stricter in the expression (3), that is, when the value is smaller, a value limited by the expression (3) is used.  
         [0062]     When the number of the DCFs  103  and the compensation DDCF are fixed, the cumulative dispersion during the maximum number of spans from R 1  to R 2  is set to a value approximate to the maximum value of the residual dispersion tolerance T. Based on this, the total compensation carried out by the DCFs  103  can be minimized. As a result, a span interval of the disposition of the DCFs by minimizing the number of the dispositions of the DCFs is obtained from the expression (1). For example, assume a transmission system of 50 km/span□40 (a maximum number of spans)=2,000 kilometers. In the expression (1), m□13. This m is divided by a maximum number of spans, thereby obtaining a disposition rate of the DCFs  103 , as 13/40. Since the DCFs are disposed cyclically, the DCFs  103  do not need to be provided in two spans out of three spans.  
         [0063]      FIG. 9  is a graph of a result of calculating dispersion of optical signals when DCFs are disposed using the chromatic dispersion compensation method according to the present invention. In  FIG. 9 , the vertical axis represents cumulative dispersion [ps/nm], and the horizontal axis represents a transmission distance [kilometers]. Lines connecting between round plots indicate dispositions of the DCFs  103  (one DCF per three spans) calculated based on the chromatic dispersion compensation method according to the present invention. Lines connecting between triangular plots indicate dispositions, with one additional disposition, of the DCFs  103  (one DCF per four spans) calculated based on the chromatic dispersion compensation method according to the present invention.  
         [0064]     As is clear with reference to  FIG. 9 , when one DCF  103  is disposed per three spans, cumulative dispersion of optical signals is within the residual dispersion tolerance T at dropping positions in all nodes, that is, at positions with round plots, up to the maximum transmission distance 2,000 kilometers. Transmission characteristic is secured during this distance. On the other hand, when one DCF  103  is disposed per four spans, cumulative dispersion of optical signals escapes from the residual dispersion tolerance T near the transmission distance 1,600 kilometers. This means that the expression (1) is satisfied when one DCF  103  is disposed per three spans, and the expression (1) is not satisfied when one DCF  103  is disposed per four spans.  
         [0065]      FIG. 10  is an explanatory diagram of an example of add positions of optical signals when DCFs are disposed using the chromatic dispersion compensation method according to the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 10 , DCFs  103  are disposed in the OADMs  102  provided on the transmission path  100  based on the chromatic dispersion compensation method according to the present invention. Cumulative dispersion of optical signals added at positions (A), (B), and (C) up to the maximum transmission distance 2,000 kilometers in this chromatic dispersion compensation system is calculated.  
         [0066]      FIG. 11  is a graph of a result of calculating dispersion of optical signals, for example, at add positions shown in  FIG. 10 . In  FIG. 11 , the vertical axis represents cumulative dispersion [ps/nm], and the horizontal axis represents a transmission distance [kilometers].  
         [0067]     When the DCFs  103  are disposed cyclically, it is clear from these drawings that a dispersion map is different depending on add positions of optical signals out of the add positions (A), (B), and (C) shown in  FIG. 10 . Compensation carried out by the DCFs  103  and the number of dispositions are determined by taking the above three limit items into account. Therefore, when optical signals are added at any one of the positions (A) to (C), cumulative dispersion of optical signals is within the residual dispersion tolerance T at drop time, that is, at plotted positions in  FIG. 11 . As explained above, based on the chromatic dispersion compensation method according to the present invention, optimum compensation and optimum number of disposition of the DCFs  103  can be obtained, from the calculation results shown in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 11 .  
         [0068]     As explained above, according to the OADM and the chromatic dispersion compensation method, a most efficient minimum number of DCFs  103  are disposed so that the cumulative dispersion of optical signals between the REG  101  is accommodated within the residual dispersion tolerance. Therefore, a transmission system can be provided at low cost.  
         [0069]     While drop and add nodes are disposed among plural REGs in the network for the sake of convenience in the above drawings, there are also networks in which no REG is disposed. For example, in a ring network having no REG as shown in  FIG. 12 , an optical signal that is added from a certain node does not return to the original position after circulating around the ring. Therefore, a maximum transmission distance becomes (one round length of the ring)−(a minimum span length within the ring). Therefore, when it is considered that add nodes and drop nodes of the optical signal path corresponding to the maximum transmission distance are present at the same positions as those of the REGs, the same dispersion compensation setting method can be applied. In a mesh network having no REGs, a maximum transmission distance is also prescribed. Therefore, nodes at both ends can be regarded as the REGs.  
         [0070]     The chromatic dispersion compensation method according to the embodiments can be realized by executing a program, prepared in advance, by using a computer such as personal computer and a workstation. The program is recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto optical disk (MO), and a digital versatile disk (DVD), and the program is executed by being read out from the recording medium using the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed through a network such as the Internet.  
         [0071]     According to the present invention, a minimum necessary number of chromatic dispersion compensators that compensate for chromatic dispersion of optical signals can be disposed in plural nodes. Therefore, the cost of the optical transmission system can be reduced.  
         [0072]     Although the invention has been described with respect to a specific embodiment for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.