Authors : Aruni Nadeesha Weerasinghe; Jayanthan Gunarajah; Pramitha Kalanasooriya

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 2 - February

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/3rbhfw2f

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/855r2eee

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26feb673

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Arrayed Waveguide Gratings (AWGs) are essential components in modern Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) systems, enabling high-density wavelength routing with precise spectral control. This study presents a comprehensive performance analysis and design optimization of AWG-based interleavers through systematic simulation and theoretical investigation. Using OptiSystem software, we evaluated AWG performance in both multiplexer (MUX) and demultiplexer (DEMUX) configurations within the C-band (1530-1565 nm), analyzing key parameters including insertion loss (1.8±0.4 dB), channel crosstalk (-32±2 dB), polarization-dependent loss (0.3±0.1 dB), and thermal stability (0.011 nm/°C). The research compares fabrication technologies—silica-on-silicon, indium phosphide, and silicon photonics—highlighting their respective advantages for different network applications. A novel cascaded architecture is proposed, achieving -45 dB adjacent channel crosstalk and 0.8× channel spacing flat-top passbands, representing a 15 dB improvement over conventional designs. These optimizations support terabit-per-second transmission capacities in next-generation optical networks.

Keywords : Arrayed Waveguide Grating (AWG), Interleaver, DWDM, Optical Communication, Wavelength Division Multiplexing, Channel Spacing, Crosstalk, Free Spectral Range.

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