The GN-Model of Fiber Non-Linear Propagation and its Applications

Several approximate non-linear fiber propagation models have been proposed over the years. Recent reconsideration and extension of earlier modeling efforts has led to the formalization of the so-called Gaussian-noise (GN) model. The evidence collected so far hints at the GN-model as being a relatively simple and, at the same time, sufficiently reliable tool for performance prediction of uncompensated coherent systems, characterized by a favorable accuracy versus complexity trade-off. This paper tries to gather the recent results regarding the GN-model definition, understanding, relations versus other models, validation, limitations, closed form solutions, approximations and, in general, its applications and implications in link analysis and optimization, also within a network environment.