Received Optical Power Calculations for Optical Communications Link Performance Analysis

The factors affecting optical communication link performance differ substantially from those at microwave frequencies, due to the drastically differing technologies, modulation formats, and effects o f quantum noise in optical communications. In addition, detailed design control table calculations for optical systems are less well developed than corresponding microwave system techniques, reflecting the relatively less mature state of development of optical communications. This article describes detailed calculations of received optical signal and background power in optical communications systems, with emphasis on analytic models for accurately predicting transmitter and receiver system losses.