A survey on OFDM-based elastic core optical networking

Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) is a modulation technology that has been widely adopted in many new and emerging broadband wireless and wireline communication systems. Due to its capability to transmit a high-speed data stream using multiple spectral-overlapped lower-speed subcarriers, OFDM technology offers superior advantages of high spectrum efficiency, robustness against inter-carrier and inter-symbol interference, adaptability to server channel conditions, etc. In recent years, there have been intensive studies on optical OFDM (O-OFDM) transmission technologies, and it is considered a promising technology for future ultra-high-speed optical transmission. Based on O-OFDM technology, a novel elastic optical network architecture with immense flexibility and scalability in spectrum allocation and data rate accommodation could be built to support diverse services and the rapid growth of Internet traffic in the future. In this paper, we present a comprehensive survey on OFDM-based elastic optical network technologies, including basic principles of OFDM, O-OFDM technologies, the architectures of OFDM-based elastic core optical networks, and related key enabling technologies. The main advantages and issues of OFDM-based elastic core optical networks that are under research are also discussed

Impact of in-band crosstalk in an optical network based on multi-degree CDC ROADMs

he most common optical networks nodes are known as reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers (ROADMs). The architecture and components of these nodes have evolved over the time to become more flexible and dynamic. Particularly, the wavelength add/drop structures of these nodes have become more complex and with new features such as colorless, directionless and contentionless (CDC). One of the main limitations of the optical networks physical layer, the in-band crosstalk, is mainly due to the imperfect isolation of the components inside these nodes. This crosstalk is enhanced, when an optical signal traverses a cascade of ROADM nodes. In this work, the impact of in-band crosstalk, optical filtering and amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise on the performance of an optical communication network based on a cascade of CDC ROADMs with coherent detection and the modulation format quadrature phase-shift keying with polarization-division multiplexing (PDM-QPSK) at 100-Gb/s is studied through Monte-Carlo simulation. Two architectures, broadcast and select (B&S) and route and select (R&S), and two possible implementations for the add/drop structures, the multicast switches (MCSs) and the wavelength selective switches (WSSs), were considered. The degradation of the optical communication network performance due to in-band crosstalk is assessed through the optical-signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) calculation. In particular, an OSNR penalty of 1 dB due to in-band crosstalk is observed when the signal passes through a cascade of 19 CDC ROADMs with 16-degree, based on a R&S architecture and with add/drop structures implemented with WSSsOs nós das redes de comunicação ótica mais comuns são os multiplexadores óticos de inserção/extração reconfiguráveis (ROADMs – acrónimo anglo-saxónico de reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers). A arquitetura e componentes destes nós têm evoluído ao longo do tempo no sentido de se tornarem mais flexíveis e dinâmicos. Em particular, as estruturas de adição/extração destes nós, tornaram-se mais complexas e detêm novas características que oferecem as funcionalidades CDC (acrónimo anglo- -saxónico de colorless, directionless e contentionless). Uma das principais limitações do nível físico das redes óticas, o crosstalk homódino, deve-se principalmente ao isolamento imperfeito dos componentes presentes dentro destes nós. Este tipo de crosstalk tem um impacto ainda mais significativo quando o sinal ótico atravessa uma cadeia de nós baseados em ROADMs. Nesta dissertação, o impacto do crosstalk homódino, filtragem ótica e ruído ASE (acrónimo anglo-saxónico de amplified spontaneous emission) no desempenho de uma rede de comunicação ótica baseada numa cadeia de CDC ROADMs com deteção coerente e usando o formato de modulação PDM-QPSK (acrónimo anglo-saxónico de polarization-division multiplexing quadrature phase-shift keying) a um ritmo binário de 100-Gb/s é investigado através de simulação Monte-Carlo. Consideraram-se duas arquiteturas, B&S e R&S (acrónimos anglo-saxónicos para broadcast and select e route and select), e duas possíveis implementações para a estruturas de inserção/extração, os MCSs e os WSSs (acrónimos anglo-saxónicos de multicast switches e wavelengh selective switches). A degradação do desempenho da rede ótica devido ao crosstalk homódino foi obtida através do cálculo da relação sinal-ruído ótica. Em particular, obteve-se uma penalidade de 1 dB para esta relação devido ao crosstalk homódino quando o sinal percorre uma cadeia de 19 CDC ROADMs com grau 16, uma arquitetura R&S e estruturas de inserção/extração baseadas em WSSs

On the performance of M-QAM optical signals in ROADM based optical networks

The optical network physical layer limitations, in particular, the crosstalk due to imperfect isolation of optical network switching components, such as Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexers (ROADMs), can become a limiting factor in the performance of these networks. In this work, the impact of in-band crosstalk due to M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM) interferers on the performance of 4-QAM and 16-QAM coherent receivers in ROADM based networks is analysed, using Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. Several Wavelength Select Switch (WSS) models, a ROADM component, were studied, and each WSS model had a different optical filter profile. Two crosstalk metrics, unweighted crosstalk and weighted crosstalk, are used to measure the system performance degradation regarding the Optical Signal-to-Noise Ratio (OSNR) penalty at the coherent receiver. The difference between the two, is the fact that weighted crosstalk takes into account that the spectrum content closer to the center of the channel bandwidth has more impact than spectral content closer to the edges of the channel bandwidth. Using unweighted crosstalk metric, it can be concluded that optical filters with a wider rejection bandwidth in the center of the channel, have a better performance in terms of OSNR penalty at the coherent receiver. With the weighted crosstalk metric, it was observed that regardless of the WSS filter profile, the OSNR penalty performances of each WSS were similar. It can be concluded that the weighted crosstalk metric is very reliable at predicting system performances independently of the filter shape present in the WSS.As limitações do nivel físico das redes ópticas, nomeadamente a diafonia (crosstalk) devido ao isolamento imperfeito de elementos de redes de fibra óptica, como os Multiplexadores Ópticos de Adição/Extracção Reconfiguráveis (ROADMs), podem constituir um factor limitativo no desempenho das redes ópticas. Nesta dissertação, foi estudado através de simulação de Monte-Carlo (MC), o impacto do crosstalk homódino devido a sinais interferentes com o formato de modulação em amplitude e em quadratura (M-QAM), no desempenho dos receptores coerentes de sinais 4-QAM e 16-QAM. Foram também estudados vários Selectores de Comprimento de Onda (WSS), um componente dos ROADMs, e em que cada WSS tem um filtro óptico com um perfil diferente. Duas métricas de crosstalk, unweighted crosstalk e weighted crosstalk, foram usadas para estudar a degradação do desempenho do sistema de comunicações ópticas referente à relação de sinal-ruído óptica (OSNR), no receptor coerente. A diferença entre estas duas métricas, é o facto de o weighted crosstalk levar em consideração que o conteúdo espectral perto do centro da largura de banda do canal, tem um impacto maior do que o conteúdo espectral perto das margens da largura de banda do canal. Analisando os resultados com a métrica unweighted crosstalk, foi possível concluir que WSSs com filtros ópticos com a banda de rejeição maior e mais centrada com a largura de banda do canal, obtiveram melhor desempenho em relação à penalidade de OSNR medida no receptor coerente. Usando o weighted crosstalk como métrica, foi observado que todos os WSSs registaram desempenhos semelhantes em termos de penalidade de OSNR. Podemos concluir, que o weighted crosstalk constitui uma métrica bastante fiável a prever desempenhos de sistemas de comunicações ópticos, independentemente do perfil dos filtros usados em cada WSS

Impact of physical layer impairments on SDM networks based on ROADM nodes

Current transport optical networks are approaching its capacity limits, mainly due to new applications and services that require a huge amount of resources. To increase the network capacity, multiband solutions, that exploit the unused capacity of actual fibers, in particular the L-band, are being currently commercially explored. However, this strategy is assumed as a short to medium term solution. A long-term solution is to use spatial-division multiplexing (SDM) in the optical domain, which leads to the concept of SDM-based optical networks. In this work, different SDM switching architectures (spatial, spatial-wavelength, wavelength, fractional space-full wavelength) are studied and compared in terms of cost per bit, power consumption and flexibility. For the switching architectures with spatial and spatial-wavelength granularities (the architectures that have superior performance), the most relevant physical impairments (PLIs) (amplifiers noise, non-linear interference, narrowing penalty due to filtering and in-band crosstalk) are analytically studied, for a SDM reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) cascade. Furthermore, a Monte Carlo simulation is used to assess more rigorously the PLIs effects on the performance of SDM ROADMs, with spatial-wavelength switching architecture, in cascade. The main difference, regarding PLIs, between the single spatial channel ROADM architecture and the SDM ROADM architectures is the enhanced effect of in-band crosstalk. For cascaded ROADMs with 16 directions, 19 spatial channels and filtering isolation of -25 dB, the in-band crosstalk can lead to a 2 dB optical signal-to-noise ratio penalty. Due to this penalty, the signal crosses less 9 ROADMs than in a single spatial channel ROADM architecture.As redes óticas de transporte atuais estão a aproximar-se do seu limite de capacidade devido às novas aplicações e serviços que requerem uma maior quantidade de recursos de rede. Uma possível solução de curto a médio prazo para a falta de recursos é o uso de múltiplas bandas da fibra, para além da banda C. Uma solução a longo prazo será o uso de multiplexagem com divisão no espaço (SDM) no domínio óptico. Neste trabalho são estudados, o custo por bit, consumo de energia e flexibilidade, das diferentes arquiteturas SDM (no espaço, no espaço e comprimento de onda, no comprimento de onda, fracionada no espaço e completa no comprimento de onda). Para as arquiteturas com granularidades no espaço e no espaço e comprimento de onda estuda-se analiticamente os efeitos das principais limitações do nível físico (PLIs) (ruído dos amplificadores, interferência não-linear, penalidade de filtragem e diafonia homódina), para cascatas de multiplexadores óticos de inserção/extração reconfiguráveis (ROADMs). Usa-se uma simulação Monte Carlo para calcular mais rigorosamente os efeitos das PLIs na arquitetura com granularidade no espaço e comprimento de onda. A principal diferença, em termos de PLIs, entre uma rede SDM e uma rede com um único canal espacial é o efeito da diafonia homódina. Para uma rede com 16 direções, 19 canais espaciais e isolamento dos filtros de -25 dB, a diafonia homódina causa uma penalidade na relação sinal-ruído óptica de 2 dB e o sinal atravessa menos 9 ROADMs que numa rede com apenas um canal espacial

Impact of physical layer impairments on large ROADM architectures

Most of today’s optical networks, use reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers (ROADMs) as nodes. To become more dynamic and flexible, these nodes architectures evolved over the years. The colorless, directionless and contentionless functionalities are now standard, however, current architectures have poor scalability due to limitations on wavelength selective switches dimensions. Hence, due to constant increase in data traffic, current architectures might become a bottleneck to manufacture future large-scale ROADMs. In this work, the hardware cost and in-band crosstalk generation inside different large-scale ROADM architectures, is compared with conventional architectures. Moreover, an analysis of optical filtering, amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise and in-band crosstalk impact in the performance of an optical network, with nodes based on the most promising large-scale architecture, the interconnected A architecture, is performed. This performance is assessed through Monte-Carlo simulation with 16 point quadrature amplitude modulation with polarization-division multiplexing (PDM-16QAM) and PDM- 32QAM signals with 200 Gb/s and 250 Gb/s, respectively. Two architectures are considered for the interconnected A express structure, Broadcast and Select (B&S) and Route and Select (R&S). For the add/drop structure, a bank-based structure is considered. The maximum number of cascaded ROADMs, considering all the studied impairments, is 5 and 7 nodes for a 32 GBaud 16QAM signal, respectively, for B&S and R&S architectures. A 32QAM signal reaches 3 and 4 nodes, respectively, for B&S and R&S architectures. The main penalty in transmission is the ASE noise generated by optical amplifiers throughout the network, having the in-band crosstalk and optical filtering penalties a lower contribution.A maioria das redes óticas são atualmente compostas por multiplexadores óticos de inserção/extração reconfiguráveis (ROADMs, em inglês) nos nós, cuja arquitetura tem evoluído para se tornarem mais dinâmicos e flexíveis. As funcionalidades colorless, directionless e contentionless estão hoje normalizadas, no entanto, as arquiteturas atuais tornam-se pouco escaláveis para ROADMs de elevada dimensão, devido a limitações nos comutadores seletivos no comprimento-de-onda. Neste trabalho, a comparação entre os custos associados e a geração de crosstalk homódino em diferentes arquiteturas propostas para ROADMs de elevada dimensão e as arquitecturas tradicionais é efetuada. É também analisado o impacto da filtragem ótica, ruído de emissão espontânea amplificada (ASE, em inglês) e crosstalk homódino no desempenho de uma rede com nós baseados na arquitetura denominada "Interconnected A". A avaliação é feita através de simulação Monte-Carlo com sinais multiplexados por divisão na polarização e modulação de amplitude em quadratura, PDM-16QAM e PDM-32QAM a 200 Gb/s e 250 Gb/s, respetivamente. Foram consideradas duas configurações para os ROADMs estudados, Broadcast and Select e Route and Select (B&S e R&S, em inglês) e uma estrutura de inserção/extração denominada "bank-based". Quando considerados todos os efeitos, o alcance máximo da rede é de 4 e 7 nós para um sinal 16QAM, respetivamente, para configurações B&S e R&S. Para um sinal 32QAM, é de 3 e 4 nós, respetivamente, para configurações B&S e R&S. A principal penalidade na transmissão deve-se ao ruído ASE gerado nos amplificadores óticos ao longo da rede, tendo a penalidade devido ao crosstalk homódino e a filtragem ótica uma menor contribuição

Design, monitoring and performance evaluation of high capacity optical networks

Premi Extraordinari de Doctorat, promoció 2018-2019. Àmbit de les TICInternet traffic is expected to keep increasing exponentially due to the emergence of a vast number of innovative online services and applications. Optical networks, which are the cornerstone of the underlying Internet infrastructure, have been continuously evolving to carry the ever-increasing traffic in a more flexible, cost-effective, and intelligent way. Having these three targets in mind, this PhD thesis focuses on two general areas for the performance improvement and the evolution of optical networks: i) introducing further cognition to the optical layer, and ii) introducing new networking solutions revolutionizing the optical transport infrastructure. In the first part, we present novel failure detection and identification solutions in the optical layer utilizing the optical spectrum traces captured by cost-effective coarse-granular Optical Spectrum Analyzers (OSA). We demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed solutions for detecting and identifying filter-related failures in the context of Spectrum-Switched Optical Networks (SSON), as well as transmitter-related laser failures in Filter-less Optical Networks (FON). In addition, at the subsystem level we propose an Autonomic Transmission Agent (ATA), which triggers local or remote transceiver reconfiguration by predicting Bit-Error-Rate (BER) degradation by monitoring State-of-Polarization (SOP) data obtained by coherent receivers. I have developed solutions to push further the performance of the currently deployed optical networks through reducing the margins and introducing intelligence to better manage their resources. However, it is expected that the spectral efficiency of the current standard Single-Mode Fiber (SMF) based optical network approaches the Shannon capacity limits in the near future, and therefore, a new paradigm is required to keep with the pace of the current huge traffic increase. In this regard, Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) is proposed as the ultimate solution to address the looming capacity crunch with a reduced cost-per-bit delivered to the end-users. I devote the second part of this thesis to investigate different flavors of SDM based optical networks with the aim of finding the best compromise for the realization of a spectrally and spatially flexible optical network. SDM-based optical networks can be deployed over various types of transmission media. Additionally, due to the extra dimension (i.e., space) introduced in SDM networks, optical switching nodes can support wavelength granularity, space granularity, or a combination of both. In this thesis, we evaluate the impact of various spectral and spatial switching granularities on the performance of SDM-based optical networks serving different profiles of traffic with the aim of understanding the impact of switching constraints on the overall network performance. In this regard, we consider two different generations of wavelength selective switches (WSS) to reflect the technology limitations on the performance of SDM networks. In addition, we present different designs of colorless direction-less, and Colorless Directionless Contention-less (CDC) Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexers (ROADM) realizing SDM switching schemes and compare their performance in terms of complexity and implementation cost. Furthermore, with the aim of revealing the benefits and drawbacks of SDM networks over different types of transmission media, we preset a QoT-aware network planning toolbox and perform comparative performance analysis among SDM network based on various types of transmission media. We also analyze the power consumption of Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) Digital Signal Processing (DSP) units of transceivers operating over three different types of transmission media. The results obtained in the second part of the thesis provide a comprehensive outlook to different realizations of SDM-based optical networks and showcases the benefits and drawbacks of different SDM realizations.Se espera que el tráfico de Internet siga aumentando exponencialmente debido a la continua aparición de gran cantidad de aplicaciones innovadoras. Las redes ópticas, que son la piedra angular de la infraestructura de Internet, han evolucionado continuamente para transportar el tráfico cada vez mayor de una manera más flexible, rentable e inteligente. Teniendo en cuenta estos tres objetivos, esta tesis doctoral se centra en dos áreas cruciales para la mejora del rendimiento y la evolución de las redes ópticas: i) introducción de funcionalidades cognitivas en la capa óptica, y ii) introducción de nuevas estructuras de red que revolucionarán el transporte óptico. En la primera parte, se presentan soluciones novedosas de detección e identificación de fallos en la capa óptica que utilizan trazas de espectro óptico obtenidas mediante analizadores de espectros ópticos (OSA) de baja resolución (y por tanto de coste reducido). Se demuestra la efectividad de las soluciones desarrolladas para detectar e identificar fallos derivados del filtrado imperfecto en las redes ópticas de conmutación de espectro (SSON), así como fallos relacionados con el láser transmisor en redes ópticas sin filtro (FON). Además, a nivel de subsistema, se propone un Agente de Transmisión Autónomo (ATA), que activa la reconfiguración del transceptor local o remoto al predecir la degradación de la Tasa de Error por Bits (BER), monitorizando el Estado de Polarización (SOP) de la señal recibida en un receptor coherente. Se han desarrollado soluciones para incrementar el rendimiento de las redes ópticas mediante la reducción de los márgenes y la introducción de inteligencia en la administración de los recursos de la red. Sin embargo, se espera que la eficiencia espectral de las redes ópticas basadas en fibras monomodo (SMF) se acerque al límite de capacidad de Shannon en un futuro próximo, y por tanto, se requiere un nuevo paradigma que permita mantener el crecimiento necesario para soportar el futuro aumento del tráfico. En este sentido, se propone el Multiplexado por División Espacial (SDM) como la solución que permita la continua reducción del coste por bit transmitido ante ése esperado crecimiento del tráfico. En la segunda parte de esta tesis se investigan diferentes tipos de redes ópticas basadas en SDM con el objetivo de encontrar soluciones para la realización de redes ópticas espectral y espacialmente flexibles. Las redes ópticas basadas en SDM se pueden implementar utilizando diversos tipos de medios de transmisión. Además, debido a la dimensión adicional (el espacio) introducida en las redes SDM, los nodos de conmutación óptica pueden conmutar longitudes de onda, fibras o una combinación de ambas. Se evalúa el impacto de la conmutación espectral y espacial en el rendimiento de las redes SDM bajo diferentes perfiles de tráfico ofrecido, con el objetivo de comprender el impacto de las restricciones de conmutación en el rendimiento de la red. En este sentido, se consideran dos generaciones diferentes de conmutadores selectivos de longitud de onda (WSS) para reflejar las limitaciones de la tecnología en el rendimiento de las redes SDM. Además, se presentan diferentes diseños de ROADM, independientes de la longitud de onda, de la dirección, y sin contención (CDC) utilizados para la conmutación SDM, y se compara su rendimiento en términos de complejidad y coste. Además, con el objetivo de cuantificar los beneficios e inconvenientes de las redes SDM, se ha generado una herramienta de planificación de red que prevé la QoT usando diferentes tipos de fibras. También se analiza el consumo de energía de las unidades DSP de los transceptores MIMO operando en redes SDM con tres tipos diferentes de medios de transmisión. Los resultados obtenidos en esta segunda parte de la tesis proporcionan una perspectiva integral de las redes SDM y muestran los beneficios e inconvenientes de sus diferentes implementacionesAward-winningPostprint (published version

24 [1×12] Wavelength Selective Switches Integrated on a Single 4k LCoS Device

This article demonstrates the design, assembly, optimisation, and characterisation of 24 [1 × 12] wavelength selective switches (WSSs) based on a single set of optics and a 4k liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) device. The average insertion loss was measured to be 8.4 dB with an average crosstalk level of 26.9 dB. To our knowledge, this module with 312 fibre ports is the highest-capacity WSS demonstrated so far. The module can be flexibly reconfigured into different switches and port counts for advanced reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer (ROADM) applications

Resource allocation in disaggregated optical networks

The recently introduced disaggregation model is gaining interest due to its benefits when compared with traditional models.In essence, it consists on the separation of traditional hardware appliances (e.g. servers, network nodes) into commodity components, which then are mounted independently for their exploitation into customized physical infrastructures. Such an approach allows telecommunication operators and service providers to appropriately size their infrastructure and grow as needed. One of the main key benefits of the disaggregation model is the break of the vendor lock-in, pushing towards interoperability between equipment from different vendor with minimum standardization of software and hardware specifications, allowing operators to build the best solutions for their needs. Moreover, efficient scaling is also an important benefit introduced by the disaggregation approach. Due to these benefits, among others, the disaggregation model is gaining momentum and is being adopted into multiple fields and domains of nowadays telecom infrastructures. In this regard, the scenario under study of this master thesis focuses on disaggregated optical transport networks. Disaggregation allows for more open and customized optical networks, reducing both capital and operational expenditures for infrastructure owners.However, despite of these positive aspects, disaggregated optical networks face several challenges, beingthe degradation of the network performance when compared to traditional integrated solutions the most important one. In this regard, this thesis investigates the impact of disaggregation in optical networks and investigates regeneration as a potential solution to compensate the performances’ degradation. Under this premise, optimal solutions for regenerator placement, exploiting the inherent grooming capabilities of regenerators, are proposed and evaluatedIncomin

Impact of physical layer impairments on multi-band metro networks

The traffic increase in optical metro networks will saturate the network capacity in a near future, mainly due to new cloud and 5G services, as well as to an increasing number of network users. The use of other fiber bands, than the usual C-band, is seen as a possible near term solution, for this probable capacity crunch. In this work, a metro network horseshoe topology with nodes capable of switching both C and L-band signals is studied. In particular, we have considered for switching Cband signals, reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer and Filterless Drop and Waste (FD&W) node architectures, whereas for switching L-band signals, we have considered only FD&W solutions, both amplified and unamplified. An analytical formalism was developed to assess the impact of the physical layer impairments due to fiber transmission and switching node in a horseshoe network performance. Moreover, the cost and power consumption of the C-band and L-band nodes are analyzed. We concluded that in a network end of life scenario, the L-band nodes cost is 3.5 times higher than the C-band nodes, being 99% of this cost attributed to the transponders. In L-band transmission, a lightpath can cross several spans with 10 or 60 km in the amplified solution. In the unamplified solution, where frequency reuse is allowed, a lightpath consists only on a single 10 km span due to the maximum optical link budget. Considering a -20 dB crosstalk level, a 1.5 dB degradation on the optical power budget is observed.O aumento de tráfego nas redes metropolitanas irá saturar a capacidade das redes num futuro próximo, principalmente devido aos novos serviços em nuvem e 5G, bem como ao aumento do número de utilizadores. O uso de novas bandas na fibra ótica, além da banda C, é visto como uma possível solução para responder a esse aumento de capacidade. Neste trabalho, é apresentada a topologia de rede ”horseshoe”, que contém nós com capacidade para comutar sinais nas bandas C e L. Na banda C, consideram-se as arquiteturas com multiplexadores de inserção/extração reconfiguráveis e arquiteturas sem filtragem, e na banda L, consideram-se apenas soluções sem filtragem, com e sem amplificação. São estudadas, analiticamente, as limitações físicas da transmissão na fibra e comutação dos sinais nos nós da rede ”horseshoe”. Além disso, é realizado um estudo do custo, consumo e capacidade dos nós nas bandas C e L. Num cenário de fim de vida da rede, o custo dos nós na banda L é 3.5 vezes superior aos da banda C. O custo dos transponders constitui 99% do custo final. Na banda L, o sinal pode atravessar várias secções de 10 ou 60 km na solução amplificada. Na solução não amplificada, onde existe reuso de frequência, só há uma secção de 10 km devido ao orçamento máximo de potência na ligação. Para um nível de diafonia de -20 dB, o orçamento de potência diminui 1.5 dB