Influence of Behavioral Models on Multiuser Channel Capacity

TL;DR

This paper investigates how different behavioral models of transmitters in WDM systems significantly affect the channel capacity, providing bounds on achievable rates under various assumptions.

Contribution

It introduces the first bounds on maximum achievable rates for WDM channels considering different behavioral models of transmitters.

Findings

Behavioral models profoundly impact channel capacity.

Established upper and lower bounds on achievable rates.

Different assumptions lead to varying capacity estimates.

Abstract

In order to characterize the channel capacity of a wavelength channel in a wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) system, statistical models are needed for the transmitted signals on the other wavelengths. For example, one could assume that the transmitters for all wavelengths are configured independently of each other, that they use the same signal power, or that they use the same modulation format. In this paper, it is shown that these so-called behavioral models have a profound impact on the single-wavelength achievable information rate. This is demonstrated by establishing, for the first time, upper and lower bounds on the maximum achievable rate under various behavioral models, for a rudimentary WDM channel model.