Patent ID: 8401401
Filing Date: 2013-03-19
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. A method of providing a polarization-diverse, heterodyne optical receiving system, comprising: transferring a light signal into an optical fiber having a plurality of optical sensors that are distinguishable using a multiplexing arrangement; receiving return light signal from a particular one of the optical sensors in response to the transmitted light signal; mixing the return light signal from the optical fiber with an optical local oscillator light signal, wherein an output of the mixing includes plural output signal portions having at least two different polarizations; and determining a birefringence of the particular optical sensor based on the plural output signal portions; and detecting the plural output signal portions using detectors; comparing, using a comparison stage, magnitudes and phases of output signals from the detectors for assessing a state of polarization of the return light signal from a reflector associated with a particular optical sensor; comparing, using a second comparison stage, magnitudes and phases of a first of the output signals with a delayed version of the first output signal; and comparing with a third comparison stage, a second of the output signals with a delayed version of the second output signal.