Optical transmission system including repeatered and unrepeatered segments

1. A communication system comprising:

a trunk path configured for communicating a plurality of optical data signals, each at a different associated wavelength, between first and second trunk path cable stations, said trunk path being at least partially submarine and comprising a plurality of repeaters, said repeaters being spaced from each other along said trunk path and being coupled to said trunk path for receiving power from power feed equipment in at least one of said first and second cable stations; and

at least one branch segment configured for communicating signals at one or more of said wavelengths between said trunk path and a branch segment cable station, said branch segment being at least partially submarine and having a first end coupled to said trunk path through a submarine branching unit and a second end coupled to said branch segment cable station, said branch segment cable station having no power feed equipment, and said branch segment having a length greater than an average repeater spacing between said repeaters and having no repeaters disposed along the length thereof;

wherein a first one of said repeaters disposed along said trunk path is adjacent a first side of said branching unit and a second one of said repeaters disposed along said trunk path is adjacent a second side of said branching unit, and said first and second ones of said repeaters are configured for repeater spacing greater than said average repeater spacing:

wherein said first one of said repeaters and said second one of said repeaters are both disposed along said trunk path at a distance of 20 km or less from said branching unit.

2. A system according to claim 1 , wherein said branch segment cable station comprises a pump source configured to pump at least a portion of said branch segment to provide Raman amplification to said signals at said wavelengths.

3. A system according to claim 2 , wherein said branch segment comprises at least one rare earth doped fiber segment, and wherein said cable station is configured to pump said fiber segment to provide amplification to said signals at said wavelengths.

4. A system according to claim 3 , wherein said rare earth doped fiber segment comprises an erbium doped fiber segment.

5. A system according to claim 3 , wherein said pump source is configured for pumping said rare earth doped fiber segment.

6. A system according to claim 1 , wherein said average repeater spacing is in a range from about 35 km to 120 km.

7. A system according to claim 1 , wherein said length of said branch segment is between two and three times said average repeater spacing.

8. A system according to claim 1 , wherein said length of said branch segment is greater than 175 km.

9. A system according to claim 1 , wherein said branch segment cable station is configured to transmit at a power higher than a transmission power of said first and second trunk path cable stations.

10. A system according to claim 1 wherein said repeaters are spaced according to a nominal repeater spacing.

11. A system according to claim 1 wherein said repeaters are spaced according to a plurality of different repeater spacings.

12. An optical communication system comprising:

a trunk path configured for communicating a plurality of optical data signals, each at a different associated wavelength, between first and second trunk path cable stations, said trunk path being at least partially submarine and comprising a plurality of repeaters, said repeaters being spaced from each other along said trunk path according to a repeater spacing in a range from about 35 km to 120km and being coupled to said trunk path for receiving power from power feed equipment in at least one of said first and second cable stations; and

at least one branch segment configured for communicating signals at one or more of said wavelengths between said trunk path and a branch segment cable station, said branch segment being at least partially submarine and having a first end coupled to said trunk path through a submarine branching unit and a second end coupled to said branch segment cable station, said branch segment having a length greater than an average repeater spacing and having no repeaters disposed along the length thereof,

said branch segment cable station comprising a pump source configured to pump at least a portion of said branch segment to provide Raman amplification to said signals at said wavelengths, and having no power feed equipment;

wherein a first one of said repeaters disposed along said trunk path is adjacent a first side of said branching unit and a second one of said repeaters disposed along said trunk path is adjacent a second side of said branching unit, and said first and second ones of said repeaters are configured for repeater spacing greater than said average repeater spacing and disposed along said trunk path at a distance of 20 km or less from said branching unit.

13. A system according to claim 12 , wherein said length of said branch segment is greater than 175 km.

14. A system according to claim 12 , wherein said branch segment cable station is configured to transmit at a power higher than a transmission power of said first and second trunk path cable stations.

15. A system according to claim 12 , wherein said branch segment comprises at least one rare earth doped fiber segment, and wherein said cable station is configured to pump said rare earth doped fiber segment to provide amplification to said signals at said wavelengths.

16. A system according to claim 15 , wherein said rare earth doped fiber segment comprises an erbium doped fiber segment.

17. A system according to claim 15 , wherein said pump source is configured for pumping said rare earth doped fiber segment.

18. A system according to claim 12 , wherein said length of said branch segment is between two and three times said average repeater spacing.

19. A method of providing a branch segment in an optical system including a plurality of repeaters disposed along a trunk path, the trunk path being configured for communicating a plurality of optical signals, each at a different associated wavelength, said method comprising:

coupling an unrepeatered branch segment between said trunk path and a branch segment cable station having no power feed equipment, said branch segment having a length greater than an average repeater spacing between said repeaters and being at least partially submarine with a first end coupled to said trunk path through a submarine branching unit and a second end coupled to said branch segment cable station, said branch segment cable station being configured for transmitting and receiving signals at said wavelengths on said branch segment, wherein a first one of said repeaters disposed along said trunk path is adjacent a first side of said branching unit and a second one of said repeaters disposed along said trunk path is adjacent a second side of said branching unit:

configuring said first and second ones of said repeaters for repeater spacing greater than said average repeater spacing:

positioning said first and second ones of said repeaters along said trunk path at a distance of 20 km or less from said branching unit: and

pumping said branch segment to provide Raman amplification of said signals at said wavelengths on said branch segment.

20. A method according to claim 19 , wherein said length of said branch segment is between two and three times said average repeater spacing.

21. A method according to claim 19 , wherein said length of said branch segment is greater than 175 km.

22. A method according to claim 19 , wherein said branch segment is pumped by a pump source at said branch segment cable station.

23. A method according to claim 19 , wherein said branch segment comprises at least one rare earth doped fiber segment, and wherein said method further comprises pumping said rare earth doped fiber segment to provide amplification to said signals at said wavelengths.

24. A method according to claim 23 , wherein said rare earth doped fiber segment comprises an erbium doped fiber segment.

25. A method according to claim 19 , wherein said average repeater spacing is in a range from about 35 km to 120 km.