Patent ID: 7289739
Filing Date: 2007-10-30
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. A polarization mode dispersion (PMD) controller device for controlling a state of polarization of an incoming optical light wave, in particular in a terabit optical network, the device comprising: a dispersion compensation unit which receives the incoming optical light wave, splits the incoming optical light wave into a first optical signal and a second optical signal and outputs an equalized optical light wave, wherein the dispersion compensation unit comprises a plurality of compensation stages, wherein each compensation stage of the plurality of compensation stages comprises a feed-forward signal tap which taps the second optical signal and provides a feed-forward signal and a tunable phaseshifter which tunes the second optical signal, and wherein the plurality of compensation stages are connected in series with each connection comprising a first waveguide which receives the first optical signal and a second waveguide which receives the second optical signal; a distortion analyzer unit which receives the feed-forward signal and outputs information about the incoming optical light wave based on the feed-forward signal; and an adaptation control unit which receives the information about the incoming optical light wave from the distortion analyzer unit and controls the dispersion compensation unit by tuning the tunable phaseshifter of each compensation stage based on said information.