A computer simulation several parameters that reveal that, in practice, detection sensitivity than measurements. ABSTRACT of DPSK and PSK transmission systems has highlighted critically affect system performance. The simulationsPSK systems can be made to operate closer to their ideal DPSK systems. These findings are supported by experimental A PSK system was assembled using a travelling wave laser amplifier repeater, the addition of which caused no significant degradation of receiver sensitivity. The experiment confirms the suitability of laser amplifiers for coherent systems.