Optimizing Multi-Band Optical Network Design: A Layered Approach for Engineering and Education

The sixth generation of mobile networks (6G) presents increasing complexity that challenges traditional analysis and performance evaluation methods, necessitating more structured approaches for both research and educational purposes. This study introduces a layered methodology that classifies physical layer impairments, such as amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise and fiber nonlinearities into sequential layers. The approach enables independent assessment of individual impairment contributions to overall system performance, facilitating more accurate evaluation of signal quality metrics, including signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) and optical signal-to-noise-plus-interference ratio (OSNIR) across multiple spectral bands. By implementing this step-by-step analysis framework, researchers can better understand the cumulative impact of various transmission effects, while students can gain progressive insight into complex optical communication principles, making this approach serve dual purposes as both an effective research tool for system optimization and a pedagogical instrument that enhances engineering education. The effectiveness of the methodology is demonstrated through the performance evaluation of a system employing five spectral bands (E, S1, S2, C, and L) under various operating conditions.