TABLE OF CONTENTS Performance requirements for the FO-based components and devices widely used in WDM, long-haul DWDM, and Metropolitan WDM communications systems are identified. Advantages of FO communication links for optical control of transmit/receive modules in phased array tracking radars are summarized. Beamforming techniques for microwave and optical domains are discussed. Impact of nonlinear effects on high data rates in long-haul transmission systems is identified. Performance requirements for critical elements of EDFAs and Raman amplifiers are summaries. Important component parameters affecting the out-of-band and in-band crosstalk are identified. Potential techniques to boost the operating bandwidth of optical amplifiers are described. Pump power requirements for EDFAs and Fiber Raman Amplifiers are identified with emphasis on gain-flattening and bandwidth enhancement. Advantages and disadvantages of serial and parallel configurations for WDM applications are summarized. Various approaches to achieve optimum gain and minimum gain ripple over wide spectral regions in EDFAs are identified. Techniques to achieve optimum small-signal gain and minimum noise figure in multi-wavelength, backward-pumped Fiber Raman Amplifiers are summarized as a function of wavelength, pump power level and pump configuration.
