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Method and system for equalizing PMD using incremental delay switching

  • US 5,859,939 A
  • Filed: 02/25/1997
  • Issued: 01/12/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/25/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for equalizing polarization mode dispersion in an optical data signal traveling through an optical fiber, comprising:

  • (a) a polarization mode separator which separates the optical data signal into a first polarized signal and a second differently polarized signal traveling along respective first and second paths;

    (b) a first variable time delay element located along said first path for selectively providing a first incremental propagation delay to said first polarized signal;

    (c) a second variable time delay element located along said second path for selectively providing a second incremental propagation delay to said second polarized signal;

    (d) a time variant controller coupled to said first and second variable time delay elements, said controller controlling the selection of said first and second time delay elements such that said first and second polarized signals have a relative propagation delay that compensates for polarization mode dispersion, said relative propagation delay corresponding to the difference between said first and second incremental propagation delays; and

    (e) a beam combiner, coupled to said first and second optical paths after said first and second time delay elements, the beam combiner combining said first and second signals to form an optical output data signal compensated for polarization mode dispersion.

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