SATNAC 2009 Conference Papers
Optical, Transport & Core Networks
Authors: Romeo Gamatham
(Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University), Tim Gibbon (Technical University of
Denmark, Denmark), Andrew Leitch (Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University)
Abstract: Polarization mode dispersion (PMD) continues to mitigate the efficiency
of optical networks. The link between
the reduced bit transfer rates and increased presence of PMD in a fibre is well
known. Technological advances spur new technologies which continue to demand
faster data transfer rates, hence knowledge of PMD within optical networks
becomes essential. In this paper the fixed analyzer (FA) and an adaptive
Poincare sphere analysis PMD measurement techniques are discussed, followed by
experimental demonstrations. It is shown that the Poincaré sphere analysis
(PSA) method presented in this paper is in principle equivalent to analysis
methods presented before, but differs with respect to the method of analysis
applied and the data required for analysis. The FA technique and PSA methods
are compared, and the Jones matrix eigenanalysis (JME) method used as a
reference technique. It is found that the FA and PSA methods yield the same
average PMD value. The differential group delay (DGD) and the principle states
of polarization (PSP) is valuable information given in addition by the PSA
method.