In a lightwave system used for transmission and distribution of multichannel AM-VSB television signals, the dependence of multiple-reflection-induced intensity noise on laser diode linewidth, fiber jumper length, modulation index, and the number of connectors is studied. The noise is investigated for systems both with and without optical amplifiers. The requirements on the reflectance of fiber connectors/splices, the maximum number of connectors, and the usable optical amplifier gain are discussed. © 1990 IEEE