Performance of optically amplified dispersion-compensated links: Reduction of the time jitter for return to zero signals

We report on a numerical study of the performance of optically amplified systems operating in links with dispersion management, evaluating the Q factor and the time jitter. By a comparison of the return to zero signals and nonreturn to zero signals, and considering different sawtooth distributions of chromatic dispersion we have found the best propagation conditions for links operating at transoceanic distances. The results show that soliton signals permit to achieve the highest performance when they propagate in links with a sawtooth distribution with a low anomalous average GVD and when the parameters of the dispersion management satisfy some conditions. The main advantages of dispersion management for soliton signals are the increase of the tolerance of the signal power and the reduction of the time jitter.