Method and system for equalizing PMD using incremental delay switching
US5859939A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 25, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jan 12, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 25, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04B10/2569
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A polarization beam splitter separates the optical data signal into first and second orthogonally polarized optical signals. A first variable time delay element provides a first incremental propagation delay for the first polarized optical signal. A second variable time delay element provides a second incremental propagation delay for the second polarized optical signal. The first and second variable time delay elements consist of a series of optical switches optically interconnected by different incremental lengths of optical fiber. For example, 2.times.2 optical switches are provided for switching between a reference fiber segment and a respective delay fiber segment to provide a relative incremental propagation delay. A controller controls optical switches in the first and second variable switching delay elements to set first and second incremental propagation delays. In particular, the first and second polarized optical signals are incrementally delayed relative to one another so as to compensate for polarization mode dispersion. A beam combiner then combines the first and second signals to form an optical output data signal which can be detected accurately by a receiver withou…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.