  By means of the variational approximation (VA), a system of ordinary
differential equations (ODEs) is derived to describe the propagation of
antisymmetric solitons in a multi-channel (WDM) optical fiber link subject to
strong dispersion management. Results are reported for a prototypical model
including two channels. Using the VA technique, conditions for stable
propagation of the antisymmetric dispersion-managed (ASDM) solitons in one
channel are found, and complete and incomplete collisions between the solitons
belonging to the different channels are investigated. In particular, it is
shown that formation of a bound inter-channel state of two ASDM solitons is
possible under certain conditions (but may be easily avoided). The VA
predictions for the single- and two-channel systems are compared with direct
simulations of the underlying partial differential equations. In most cases,
the agreement is very good, but in some cases (very closely spaced channels)
the collision may destroy the ASDM solitons. The timing-jitter suppression
factor (JSF) for the ASDM soliton in one channel, and the crosstalk timing
jitter induced by collision between the solitons belonging to the different
channels are also estimated analytically. In particular, the JSF for the ASDM
soliton may be much larger than for its fundamental-soliton counterpart in the
same system.
