Patent ID: 6839129
Filing Date: 2005-01-04
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. A polarization mode dispersion (PMD) compensator for compensation of PMD in polarization bit interleaved (PBI) optical signals comprising two interleaved bit streams, the compensator comprising: a polarization controller; a birefringent element; a converter for converting an optical output to an electrical signal; and an analyser for analysing at least first and second spectral components of the electrical signal, the first having a frequency corresponding to the bit frequency of the two bit streams which form the bit interleaved signal and the second having a frequency not equal to an integer multiple of the bit frequency of the two bit streams which form the bit interleaved signal, wherein the orientation of a signal entering the birefringent element is controlled by the polarization controller in dependence on the electrical signal power of one of the spectral components, having a frequency corresponding to the bit frequency of the two bit streams which form the bit interleaved signal.