Following are factors contributing in DWDM design to increasing chromatic dispersion signal distortion

1. Laser spectral width, modulation method, and frequency chirp. Lasers with wider spectral widths and chirp have shorter dispersion limits. It is important to refer to manufacturer specifications to determine the total amount of dispersion that can be tolerated by the light wave equipment.

2. The wavelength of the optical signal. Chromatic dispersion varies with wavelength in a fiber. In a standard non-dispersion shifted fiber (NDSF G.652), chromatic dispersion is near or at zero at 1310 nm. It increases positively with increasing wavelength and increases negatively for wavelengths less than 1310 nm.

3. The optical bit rate of the transmission laser. The higher the fiber bit rate, the greater the signal distortion effect.

4. The chromatic dispersion characteristics of fiber used in the link. Different types of fiber have different dispersion characteristics,

5. The total fiber link length, since the effect is cumulative along the length of the fiber.

6. Any other devices in the link that can change the link’s total chromatic dispersion including chromatic dispersion compensation modules.

7. Temperature changes of the fiber or fiber cable can cause small changes to chromatic dispersion. Refer to the manufacturer’ fiber cable specifications for values.