BER estimation for all-optical regenerators influenced by pattern effects

An efficient method is presented for the estimation of the bit-error rate (BER) of a system employing all-optical regenerators influenced by pattern effects. We theoretically study noise accumulation and noise redistribution in long distance transmission systems employing a delayed interference signal wavelength converter for all-optical regeneration. The BER is studied for return-to-zero signals at bit rates of 2.5 Gb/s (no patterning) up to 40 Gb/s (strong patterning). The calculation of the BER is based on pattern dependent transfer functions, which may be obtained numerically or measured.