A comparison between lumped and distributed filter models in wavelength-division multiplexed soliton systems

The effects of lumped and distributed filtering on soliton interactions are considered in a dispersion-managed transmission link when the dispersion steps approximate the loss/amplification profile. A detailed comparison of the collision-induced timing shifts and corresponding timing jitter for both lumped and distributed filtering models is carried out. In particular, we show that: (i) there are some differences between the predictions obtained by the two models; however, (ii) in all cases of practical interest (i.e., non-negligible bit error rates) the estimates originating from the distributed model represent a good approximation to the results obtained with the lumped model. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.