Abstract

This paper focuses on Wavelength-Routed-Optical Networks (WRONs) with a variable load (number of propagated channels) using optical Hybrid Amplifiers (HAs). In this context, we take a real-case scenario of the highest-load-variation route of the NSFNet covering 5580 km, we redesign one of its links with a cascade of 13 optical HAs (Erbium-Doped-Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) + backward-pumped Distributed-Fiber-Raman Amplifier (DFRA)) for C-band-optical transmission and we assess their power gain under the network dynamics. When increasing the number of propagated Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (WDM) channels from 6 to 17, HAs experience critical transient and steady-state power excursions. The effective adaptation and application of the link-control technique allow us to reduce these power excursions from 4.61 dB to 0.73 dB and from 4.07 dB to 0.14 dB for transient and steady-state regimes, respectively. This technique proved to be simple and effective, presenting a high potential to be tested in other wavelength bands.