Transmitter Launch Power

Power measured in dBm at a particular wavelength generated by the transmitter LED or LD used to launch the signal is known as the transmitter launch power. Generally speaking, the higher the transmitter launch power, the better. However, one must be wary of receiver saturation, which occurs when the received signal has a very high power content and is not within the receiver's dynamic range.

If the signal strength is not within the receiver's dynamic range, the receiver cannot decipher the signal and perform an OE conversion. High launch powers can offset attenuation, but they can cause nonlinear effects in the fiber and degrade system performance, especially at high bit rates.

August 30, 2011

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