A heterodyne receiver for coherent optical communication

Abstract: After mixing the signal light and the local oscillation light with a mixing circuit (21), two inter­ secting polarization components are divided by a polarization splitter (23) and respective components are subjected to heterodyne detection by optical receivers (24, 25). Thereafter, in an electric signal stage, the intermediate frequency signals outputted from the optical receivers (24, 25) are applied to a 90-degree hybrid coupler (26) and the output signal from one of the output ports is demodulated by a demodulator (27). On the other hand, intermediate frequency signals outputted from the optical receivers (24, 25) are subjected to a subtraction to provide a principal axis angle monitor signal for the signal light. The signal outputted from the output port from the 90-degree hybrid coupler (26) is used to monitor the eiliptic ratio of the signal light and these monitor signals are applied to the polarization control circuit (29). The polarization control circuit drives the polarization operation apparatus (20) based on said monitor signal to control the polarization state (i.e. a principal axis angle and the elliptic ratio) of the signal light to achieve the optimum state.

Description: Background of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical transmitting and receiving apparatus of a heterodyne detecting system applicable to a coherent optical transmission which is expected to be applied to a long-distance large-capacity communication, and more particularly to an improvement of a circuit portion for positively controlling the polarization state of a signal light. In coherent optical communication, a heterodyne detecting system is used to detect a signal light received through a light transmission path, and to also detect a local oscillation light. However, in such a system, the polarization state of a signal varies during its period of transmission along an optical fiber. Thus, when a signal light is mixed with a local oscillation light, there is the problem that the detecting efficiency is deteriorated. To solve this problem, a method is required for positively controlling the polarization states of a signal light and a local oscillation light. Figure 1 shows a circuit structure of a prior art heterodyne detecting receiving apparatus used to achieve this positive control. In the drawing, the signal light transmitted through an optical fiber is inputted to mixing circuit 2 through polarization apparatus 1 and is then mixed with local oscillation light outputted from optical local oscillating circuit 3. The local oscillating light is assumed to be in a polarized state in which the principal axis angle is slanted, for example, by 45 degrees and the elliptic ratio is 1. One output signal from mixing circuit 2 is subjected to a heterodyne detection by optical receiver 4 and is converted to an intermediate frequency signal. This intermediate frequency signal is demodulated by demodulator 5 and outputted therefrom. The other output signal from mixing circuit 2 is used to monitor the polarization state of the signal light. Namely, the optical signal for monitoring is first divided into two portions by half mirror 6 and the transparent light is separated by polarization splitter 7 into two polarization components which intersect at right angles. The optical signal is thereafter converted into an electrical signal by optical receivers 8 and 9. The light reflected from half mirror 6 is subjected to a conversion of its polarization state by λ/4 plate 10 (for example, a linearly polarized light is converted to a circularly polarized light or a circularly polarized light is converted into a linearly polarized light) and subsequently the reflected light is separated into two orthogonal polarization components by polarization splitter 11, whose axis is rotated 45 degrees from that of polarization splitter 7 and is thereafter converted into an electrical signal by optical receivers 12 and 13. The output signals from optical receivers 8 and 9 are inputted to differential amplifier 14 and the output signals from optical receivers 12 and 13 are inputted to the other differential amplifier 15. Differential amplifier signals A and B obtained from differential amplifiers 14 and 15 are used as monitor signals by polarization operation apparatus 1 to control the polarization state of the signal light. For example, the principal axis angle of the polarization state of the signal light is controlled by making signal A equal to 0 and the elliptic ratio is controlled by making signal B equal to 0. In the prior art heterodyne detecting receiver described above, a part of the signal light is divided into two portions by half mirror 6 and polarization splitters 7 and 11, and the polarization state of the signal light is monitored by four optical receivers 8, 9, 12 and 13, thus controlling the polarization state of the signal light. Accordingly, the structure of the optical system becomes complicated as half mirror 6, λ/4 plate 10, the two polarization splitters 7 and 11, and the four optical receivers 8, 9, 12 and 13 must be used for merely monitoring the polarization state of signal light, even when optical receivers are required, resulting in the problem that the apparatus must be large. A part of the signal light is divided and used only for monitoring. Thus, the receiving sensitivity is deteriorated by an amount corresponding to the use of such a monitoring system. Further, there is a problem that the prior art apparatus cannot form a DBOR (Dual Balanced Optical Signal Receiver, refer to JP-A-1195153 (Japanese Patent Kokai No. 63-19928), JP-A-63238877 (Japanese Patent Kokai No. 63-1124), US Application No. 064058/87, EP-A-0 251 062 (EPC Application No. 87108787) and CA-A-1290019 (Canadian Application No. 539613/87) which makes it possible to perform a high-sensitivity receiving operation by using the signal component effectively suppressing the noise component. Reference is made to EP-A-0 245 026, which discloses an optical heterodyne mixer providing image-frequency rejection and comprising a mixing optical device, a polarising splitter, respective photodetectors and a 90° image-frequency coupler. Summary of the Invention An object of the present invention is to provide a simply structured optical system for monitoring the polarization state of a signal light and for receiving the light with high sensitivity. The present invention, in common with WO-A-8 607 513, provides a heterodyne receiving apparatus for coherent optical communication, comprising an optical local oscillating circuit for producing a local oscillation light, a polarization operating apparatus for varying the polarization state of a signal light transmitted through a light transmission path, a mixing circuit for mixing a signal light having its polarization state corrected by said polarization operating apparatus with a local oscillation light outputted from said optical local oscillating circuit, a polarization splitter for separating an output light from said mixing circuit into two kinds of polarization component, optical receivers for detecting signals for every polarization component, obtained from said polarization splitter to provide an intermediate frequency signal, means for combining two intermediate frequency signals outputted from said optical receivers, a demodulator for demodulating a first output signal outputted from said signal combining means, and a polarization control circuit for controlling the polarization state of said signal output, by driving said polarization operating apparatus based on second and third output signals respectively derived from said optical receivers and said signal combining means. The present invention is characterised over WO-A-8 607 513 in that said signal combining means comprises a 90° hybrid coupler for combining said intermediate frequency signals outputted from said optical receivers, to produce, at one output port, said third output signal and, at a second output port, an intermediate frequency signal for outputting to said demodulator as said first output signal. The invention, in common with EP-A-0 250 819, provides a heterodyne receiving apparatus for use in a coherent optical communication comprising an optical local oscillator circuit for oscillating a local oscillation light, polarization operating means for varying the polarization state of the signal transmitted through an optical transmission path, a mixing circuit for mixing the signal light whose polarization state is corrected by the polarization operation circuit, with said local oscillation light outputted from said local oscillation light circuit and dividing the mixed light signals into two light signals having a 180° phase difference to be outputted from first and second output ports of the mixing circuit, a first polarization splitter for dividing the light outputted from the first output port of the mixing circuit into two orthogonal components, first and second optical receivers for applying heterodyne detection to signals of respective polarization components obtained from the first polarization splitter and for outputting an intermediate frequency signal, a second polarization splitter for dividing the light outputted from the second output port of the mixing circuit into two orthogonal polarization components, third and fourth optical receivers for performing a heterodyne detection of the signals of the selective polarization component obtained from the second polarization splitter and for outputting an intermediate frequency signal, a first subtractor for subtracting the output of the first optical receiver from the output of the third optical receiver, a second subtractor for subtracting the output of the second light receiver from the output of the fourth light receiver, means for combining two intermediate frequency signals outputted from said first and second subtractors, a demodulator for demodulating a first output signal outputted from said signal combining means, and a polarization control circuit for driving the polarization operation apparatus based on second and third output signals respectively derived from said first and second subtractors and said combining means, to control the polarization status of the signal light, thereby constituting a dual balanced optical receiver. The invention is characterised over EP-A-0 250 819 in that said signal combining means comprises a 90° hybrid coupler for combining said intermediate frequency signals outputted from said first and second subtractors, to produce, at one output port, said third output signal and, at a second output port, an intermediate frequency signal for outputting to said demodulator as said first output signal. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the heterodyne receiving apparatus of the prior art. Figure 2 is a principle block diagram of the present invention, Figure 3 is a block diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is a block diagram of an example of a structure of a polarization control circuit 29 shown in Figure 3, Figure 5 is a block diagram of an example of the structure of a polarization operating apparatus 20 shown in Figure 3, Figure 6 shows an example of processing by numerical value processing circuit 29c, and Figure 7 is a block diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention. Description of the Preferred Embodiment Figure 2 shows a principle block diagram of the present invention. In the drawing, a signal light transmitted through a light transmission path is provided to mixing circuit 21 through polarization operating apparatus 20 and a local oscillation light from optical local oscillation circuit 22 is inputted to mixing circuit 21 in which a signal light is mixed with a local oscillation light. The polarization state of the local oscillation light is made to have its principle axis angle slanted by, for example, 45 degrees. After the signal is mixed with the local oscillation light by mixing circuit 21, the mixed light is separated by polarization splitter 23 into two orthogonal polarization components to each other. The components are subjected to respective heterodyne detections in optical receivers 24 and 25 to provide an intermediate frequency signal. The structure explained up to this point comprises an optical system. The structure explained next comprises an electrical signal stage. In the electrical signal stage, intermediate frequency signals outputted from optical receivers 24 and 25 are provided to 90-degree hybrid coupler 26 and the output signal from output port P4 is demodulated by demodulator 27 to form an output. On the other hand, intermediate frequency signals outputted from optical receivers 24 and 25 are inputted to a subtracting circuit, for example, to differential amplifier 28; the output signal b from differential amplifier 28 is provided to polarization control circuit 29; and the other output port P3 of 90-degree hybrid coupler 26 is added to polarization control circuit 29. Polarization control circuit 29 produces control signals A and B based on the above signals a and b to drive a polarization operating apparatus 20 and control the polarization state (i.e. principal axis angle and elliptic ratio) of the signal light. In Figure 2, two orthogonal polarization components (for example, comprising a polarization component at 0-degrees and a polarization component at 90-degrees) are separated by polarization splitter 23 and detected by respective optical receivers 24 and 25 to be subject to a heterodyne detection. Therefore, the power of two intermediate frequency signals obtained by the heterodyne detection are compared to detect how far the output signal b from differential amplifier 28 is shifted from 0. This enables the degree of the shift of the principal axis of the polarization state of the signal light from the 45-degree angle to be detected. Therefore, by driving polarization operating apparatus 20 by polarization control circuit 29 so that signal b becomes 0, the principal axis of the polarization state of the signal light is maintained at an angle of 45 degrees. These two intermediate frequency signals inputted to 90-degree hybrid coupler 26 deviate in phase from each other by 90 degrees. The phase is further shifted by 90-degree hybrid coupler 26 by 90 degrees. Then the signals of the same phase are added to one output port p4 and the signals of opposite phase are added to the other output port p3 (to cancel the signals of the opposite phases). By detecting how far from zero the signal a outputted from the output port p3 is shifted, the elliptic ratio of the signal light can be detected. Therefore, by driving polarization operating apparatus 20 by polarization control circuit 29 so that the above signal a becomes 0, the polarization state of the signal light can be determined such that it has a phase difference of 90 degrees with respect to the polarization state of the local oscillation light. For example, when the polarization state of the local oscillation light is in 45-degree linear polarization, the polarization state of the signal light can be controlled in circular polarization. Further the emphasized beat component can be obtained from port p4 of 90-degree hybrid coupler 26, and the image component can be outputted from the other port p3 to be canceled. By driving polarization operating apparatus 20 by polarization control circuit 29 so that signal a becomes 0, the image component can be deleted from the intermediate frequency signal outputted from port p4. According to the present invention at least two optical receiving apparatuses may be sufficient, thus making the optical system simpler than that of the prior art, and enabling a reduction in size of the apparatus as a whole. It is not necessary to divide the signal light only for the purpose of monitoring its polarization state. This can be monitored via the electric signal stage, thereby enabling the light to be received with a higher sensitivity than in the prior art. Further, it is possible to construct the present invention using a DBOR and in this case, a still higher sensitivity reception is possible. An embodiment of the present invention will be explained by referring to the drawings. Figure 3 shows a block diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention. The optical system comprises polarization operating apparatus 20, mixing circuit 21 comprising a photo coupler, light local oscillating circuit 22 comprising a semiconductor laser, polarization splitter 23, and two optical receivers 24 and 25 comprising photo transistors. The electrical signal stage comprises 90-degree hybrid coupler 26, demodulator 27, differential amplifier 28, polarization control circuit 29 and AFC (automatic frequency controller) 30, and power monitors 41, 42, 43 comprising diodes and so on. An example of a detailed structure of polarization control circuit 29 and polarization operating apparatus 20 are shown in Figures 4 and 5. Polarization control circuit 29, shown in Figure 3, comprises A/D converters 29a and 29b and is for converting input analog signals a and b to digital signals. Numerical value processing circuit 29c is for performing numerical processing based on the digital signal, and pulse motor driving circuits 29d and 29e are for outputting control signals A and B for driving pulse motors 20c and 20d (which should be referred to in Figure 5), based on the result of the above numerical value processing. The above numerical process is conducted by using a so called mountain climbing algorithm to control the outputs A and B from pulse motor driving circuit 29d and 29e so that the input signals a and b are made 0 or a minimum value. More concretely, as shown in Figure 6, the output A is increased by a small value ΔA. If signal a increases, the ouput A is decreased by ΔA to return the output A to the original value. On the other hand, if signal a does not increase, the case is considered as correct (OK). By repeating this process, output A is set when signal a becomes 0 (or a minimum value). Actually such a process can be simultaneously conducted with output B and signal b. Outputs A and B are set to the optimum when, the signals a and b become 0 or a minimum value simultaneously. Analog signals a and b need not be subjected to A/D conversion, but may be subjected to numerical processing at numerical value processing circuit 29c. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 5, polarization operation apparatus 20 comprises λ/4 plate 20a and λ/2 plate 20b disposed in series around the optical path of the signal light and pulse motor 20c and 20d for performing rotation control in accordance with signals A and B. When the rotation angle of λ/4 plate 20a is changed by pulse motor 20c, the elliptic ratio of the signal light can be changed. Where the rotation angle of λ/2 plate 20d is changed by pulse motor 20d, the principal axis angle of the signal light can be changed. In the embodiment of the heterodyne receiving apparatus of the above structure shown in Figures 3 and 4, the signal light transmitted along the optical fiber is inputted to one of the input ports p1 of mixing circuit 21 through polarization operating apparatus 20. Optical local oscillating circuit 22 produces an optical oscillating light which is inputted to the other port p2 of mixing circuit 21. The signal light and local oscillating light are mixed in mixing circuit 21, thereby producing a light signal having the beat component from output port p3. The light signal is divided by polarization splitter 23 into two polarization components, in the X and Y directions, which are interposed with each other. The light signal is thereafter subjected to heterodyne detection by optical receiving apparatuses 24 and 25. The operation of the optical system will be explained in detail by referring to a mathematical equation. The local oscillation light is formed in a polarization state having a principal axis at a 45-degree slant (for example, in the state of circular polarization, or 45-degree or 135-degree linear polarization), and the light powers of the polarization components in the X and Y directions are made equal by polarization splitter 23. The polarization state of the local oscillation light is expressed in the following equations. X = 1 /√ 2 × √ P L0 × cos (ω L0 t) Y = 1 /√ 2 × √ P L0 × cos (ω L0 t +  L0 ) For example, where L0=0 or π/2, they designate, respectively, 45-degree linear polarization light or circular polarization light. On the other hand, the signal light has a principal angle of 45 degrees and a phase difference of 90 degrees from the polarization state of the local oscillation light. For example, where the polarization state of the local oscillation light designates circular polarization light, the polarization state of the signal light is made to show 45-degree or 135-degree linear polarization. On the other hand, where the polarization state of the local oscillation light is made to achieve 45-degree or 135-degree linear polarization light, then the polarization state of the signal light is made to represent circular polarization light. The polarization state of the signal light is expressed by, X = 1 /√ 2 × √ P S × cos (ω S t) Y = 1 /√ 2 × √ P S × cos (ω S t +  S ) where the relation of S- L0=π/2 is satisfied. As expressed by the above equation the local oscillation lights are mixed in mixing circuit 21 and thereafter the signal light is divided by polarization splitter 23 into two orthogonal polarization components and is subjected to a heterodyne detection by optical receivers 24 and 25. Therefore, the intermediate frequency signals I X and I Y which are shifted from each other by 90 degrees in phase can be obtained from I X = I 0 cos ( ( ω S - ω L0 ) t) I Y = I 0 cos ( ( ω S - ω L0 ) t) + ( S -  L0 ) ) = I 0 sin ( ( ω S - ω L0 ) t) where, I 0 = 1 / 4 × √ P L0 P S The process in the electrical signal stage will be explained in detail hereinafter. Two intermediate frequency signals I X and I Y are respectively inputted to input ports P1 and P2 of 90-degree hybrid coupler 26 and have their phases delayed by 90 degrees, and the outputs corresponding to the intermediate frequency signals are outputted from output ports P3 and P4 of 90-degree hybrid coupler 26. Thus, the phase does not change along the path from port P1 to port P3 and the path from port P2 to port P4, but is delayed by 90 degrees along the path from port P1 to port P4 and the path from port P2 to port P3. The outputs O X and O Y from 90-degree hybrid coupler 26 are expressed by O X = I X + [I Y ] = ( - 1 + sgn ( ω S - ω L0 ) ) × I X O Y = [I X ] + I Y = (1 + sgn ( ω S - ω L0 ) ) × I Y where [ ] means the phase delay by 90 degrees. It is also defined that As is clear from the equations O X and O Y , where ωs-ω LO > 0, O X =0 and O Y =2I Y and where ωs-ω LO < 0, O Y =0 and O X =-2I X , two intermediate frequency signals I X and I Y , which are inputted to 90-degree hybrid coupler 26 are shifted from each other by 90 degrees in phase. Therefore, when the two intermediate frequency signals are further shifted by 90 degrees in phase by 90-degree hybrid coupler 26, signals with the same phase are added to each other and outputted from one of the output ports, and the signals of the opposite phase are applied to the other output port to be canceled by each other in accordance with the magnitude relation between ωs and ω LO . In the present embodiment, it is supposed that ωs-ω LO >0 is satisfied and in accordance with this condition, output O Y (=2I Y ) from port P4 is demodulated by demodulator 27 and then outputted from it. To make the above output O Y stable at a predetermined frequency, the oscillation frequency of optical local oscillator circuit 22 is adequately controlled by AFC30. The monitoring of the polarization state of the signal light will now be explained in more detail. Two orthogonal polarization components comprising, for example, 0-degree polarization components and a 90-degree polarization component, which are separated by polarization splitter 23, are subjected to heterodyne detection by optical receivers 24 and 25. Therefore, the powers of two intermediate frequency signals I X and I Y obtained by heterodyne detection are compared and it can thus be detected how far the principal axis angle in the polarization state of the signal light is shifted from 45-degrees. In the above embodiment, the envelope of the intermediate frequency signals I X and I Y are detected by power monitors 42, 43 and only the power is read out to input to differential amplifier 28 and the output thereof is applied to polarization control circuit 29 as signal b. Therefore, the amount by which signal b is shifted from 0 corresponds to the amount by which the principal axis angle in the polarization state of the signal light is shifted from 45 degrees. Therefore, by driving polarization operating apparatus 20 by polarization control circuit 29 so that signal b becomes 0, the principal axis angle in the polarization state of the signal light is maintained at 45 degrees. By detecting how far output O X from port P3 of 90-degree hybrid coupler 26 is shifted from 0, the elliptic ratio of the signal light can be determined. In the present embodiment, the envelope of the output Ox from port P3 is detected by power monitor 41 and power is read out to provide to polarization control circuit 29 as signal a and the polarization operating apparatus is driven by polarization control circuit 29 so that signal a becomes 0, namely, s- LO =π /2. The polarization state of the signal light is made a circular (where the local oscillation light is in 45-degree or 135-degree linear polarization), or is made 45-degree or 135-degree (where the local oscillation light is in circular polarization). The amplified beat components are obtained from ports P4 of 90-degree hybrid coupler 26 and the image components are outputted from port P3 to cancel each other out. Thus, the image component can be deleted from the intermediate frequency signal outputted from port P4 by driving polarization operating apparatus 20 by polarization control circuit 29 so that signal a is made 0 as described above. As stated above, the present embodiment employs only two optical receiving apparatuses and its structure is made simpler than that of the prior art optical system, thereby realizing a miniaturization of the apparatus as a whole. The signal light is not divided merely for the purpose of monitoring the polarization state of the signal light. Furthermore, the polarization state can be monitored in the electrical signal stage, thereby making the receiving sensitivity much better than in the prior art. Figure 7 shows a block diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is formed of a DBOR (Dual Balanced Optical Reciver). Namely, another pair comprising polarization splitter 31 and optical receivers 32 and 33, having a structure similar to the aforementioned polarization splitter 23 and optical receivers 24 and 25, is provided to port P4 of mixing circuit 21 in the first embodiment. The output from optical receivers 24 and 32 are applied to subtractor 35. In this construction, the signal light is mixed with the local oscillation light in mixing circuit 21, and optical signals having a phase difference of 180 degrees are outputted from ports P3 and P4. These light signals are divided into equal parts by polarization splitters 23 and 31 and then subjected to heterodyne detection by light receivers 24, 25, 32 and 33. The intermediate frequency signal obtained by optical receivers 24 and 32 are applied to subtractor 34 and the intermediate signals obtained by optical receivers 25 and 33 are applied to subtractor 35. At this time, beat components having a 180-degree phase difference are inputted to optical receivers 24 and 32 and similarly beat components having a 180-degree phase difference are inputted to optical receivers 25 and 33. The beat components are added to be amplified and noise intensity components of the local oscillation light cancel each other in subtractors 34 and 35. The intermediate frequency signal in which the noise intensity component is suppressed is inputted to 90-degree hybrid coupler 26 and differential amplifier 28. Thereafter, the same process as in the first embodiment is continued. Accordingly, the present embodiment effectively utilizes two output lights from mixing circuit 21, thereby suppressing the excess intensity noise of the local oscillation light and greatly increasing the receiving sensitivity. The above embodiments describe the case where either the signal light or the local oscillation light is made to be in 45-degree (or 135-degree) linear polarization and the other is made to be in circular polarization. It is not always necessary to use the above arrangement. Namely, it is a required condition that both the signal light and local oscillation light be in a polarization state having their principal axes at 45 degrees, and that the phase difference between them be 90 degrees. Any polarization state satisfying the above condition may be used. For example, it may be possible for the signal light to have elliptic polarization with 110-degree phase difference between the X components and Y components of the signal light, and for the local oscillation light to have elliptic polarization with a phase difference of 20 degrees between the X and Y components of the local oscillation light. Instead of performing a subtraction of the signals from power monitors 42 and 43 using differential amplifier 28, for example, the circuit for inverting the signals from the power monitor 42 and the circuit for outputting the signal b by adding the output of the inverting circuit to the output from the power monitor 43 may be employed. Further, as polarization operating apparatus 20, instead of the structure shown in Figure 5, a wave guide device comprising an electrical optical crystal such as lithium niobate may be employed to perform a phase modulation by applying an appropriate voltage to the electrodes provided on the wave guide device, thereby enabling the polarization state of the signal light to be changed. According to the present invention, at least two optical receivers may be sufficient and thus, the structure of the optical system may be simplified and the apparatus as a whole may be miniaturized. The signal light is not divided merely for monitoring its polarization state and the polarization state may be monitored in the electrical signal stage. Therefore, a much higher sensitivity can be achieved upon receiving the signal light than in the prior art. Further, as the present invention may be easily formed using a DBOR, even higher sensitivity reception is possible. In the polarization operating apparatus by using the polarization control circuit so that the output signal (i.e. the output signal for monitoring) from the 90-degree hybrid coupler becomes 0, the image component may be deleted from the other output signal.

Claims: A heterodyne receiving apparatus for coherent optical communication, comprising an optical local oscillating circuit (22) for producing a local oscillation light; a polarization operating apparatus (20) for varying the polarization state of a signal light transmitted through a light transmission path; a mixing circuit (21) for mixing a signal light having its polarization state corrected by said polarization operating apparatus (20) with a local oscillation light outputted from said optical local oscillating circuit (22); a polarization splitter (23) for separating an output light from said mixing circuit (21) into two kinds of polarization component; optical receivers (24,25) for detecting signals for every polarization component obtained from said polarization splitter (23) to provide an intermediate frequency signal; means (27) for combining two intermediate frequency signals outputted from said optical receivers (24,25); a demodulator (27) for demodulating a first output signal outputted from said signal combining means (26); and a polarization control circuit (29) for controlling the polarization state of said signal output, by driving said polarization operating apparatus (20) based on second and third 'output signals (b,a) respectively derived from said optical receivers (24,25) and said signal combining means (27); characterised in that said signal combining means (26) comprises a 90-degree hybrid coupler (26) for combining said intermediate frequency signals outputted from said optical receivers (24,25), to produce, at one output port (P3), said third output signal (a) and, at a second output port (P4), an intermediate frequency signal for outputting to said demodulator (27) as said first output signal. The heterodyne receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both the signal light and the local oscillation light have their principal axes angles slanted at 45-degrees, and the phase difference between them is 90 degrees. The heterodyne receiving apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said optical local oscillation circuit (22) is a semiconductor laser. The heterodyne receiving apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said polarization operating apparatus (20) comprises a λ/4 plate (20a) and a λ/2 plate (20b) arranged in series on the optical path of the signal light, and a pulse motor (20c,20d) for rotating and driving each of them. The heterodyne receiving apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said polarization splitter (23) divides the output light of said mixing circuit into two orthogonal polarization components. The heterodyne receiving apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said optical receiver (26) comprises a photo-diode for performing a heterodyne detection on a signal corresponding to respective polarization components obtained by said polarization and to provide intermediate signals whose phases differ by 90-degrees. The heterodyne receiving apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said 90-degree hybrid coupler (26) has first and second input ports (P1,P2) in addition to said first and second output ports (P3,P4), said input and output ports (P1,P2,P3,P4) serving to delay the phase of the signal input to the first input port (P1) by 90-degrees, to add the delayed signal to the signal received by the second output port (P4), to delay by 90 degrees the phase of the signal received by the second input port (P2), and to apply the delayed signal to the signal received by the first input port (P1) and thereby output it from the first output port (P3). The heterodyne receiving apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said 90-degree hybrid coupler (26) is arranged to add the intermediate frequency signals which are outputted from said optical receivers and shifted in phase by 90 degrees, and the intermediate frequency signals which are made equal in phase, thereby outputting them from the second output port (P4) to be transmitted to said demodulator (27), and also outputting as a monitor the intermediate frequency signals which are made opposite in phase and added to each other, from the first output port (P3). The heterodyne receiving apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the signals outputted as a monitor from the first output port (P3) of the 90-degree hybrid coupler (26) are made 0 or a minimum value and the image component is removed from the signal outputted from the second output port (P4) of the 90-degree hybrid coupler (26). The heterodyne receiving apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a differential amplifier (28) is provided for receiving the output signals from the two optical receivers, the signal output of said differential amplifier is made a signal for monitoring the principal axis angle of the signal light, the signal output from the first output port (P3) of said 90-degree hybrid coupler (26) is made a signal for monitoring the elliptic ratio of the signal light, and said polarization and control circuit (29) is arranged to receive the signal (b) for the principal axis angle monitor and the signal (a) for monitoring the elliptic ratio. The heterodyne receiving apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said polarization control circuit (29) is arranged to drive said polarization operating apparatus (20) so that both signals (b,a) for monitoring said principal axis angle and signals for monitoring the elliptic ratio are made 0 or a minimum value. The heterodyne receiving apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said polarization control circuit (29) comprises respective A/D converters (29b,29a) for performing A/D conversion of signals for monitoring the principal axis angle and the signal for monitoring the elliptic ratio, respective pulse motor driving circuits (29e,29d) for driving said pulse motors (20d,20c) for said polarization operating apparatus (20), and a numerical value operating circuit (29c) for controlling said pulse motor driving circuits (29e,29d) so that the outputs of said A/D converters (29b,29a) are made 0 or a minimum. The heterodyne receiving apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said numerical value operating circuit (29c) processes the numerical data in accordance with a mountain-climbing algorithm. The heterodyne receiving apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the output signal from the first output port (P3) from said 90-degree hybrid coupler (26) and the output signals from the optical receivers (24,25) are applied to said polarization control circuit (29) and said differential amplifier (28) through respective power monitors (41,42,43) for detecting the power. A heterodyne receiving apparatus for use in a coherent optical communication comprising: an optical local oscillator circuit (22) for oscillating a local oscillation light, polarization operating means (20) for varying the polarization state of the signal transmitted through an optical transmission path, a mixing circuit (21) for mixing the signal light whose polarization state is corrected by the polarization operation circuit (20), with said local oscillation light outputted from said local oscillation light circuit (22) and dividing the mixed light signals into two light signals having a 180-degree phase difference to be outputted from first and second output ports (P3,P4) of the mixing circuit (21), a first polarization splitter (23) for dividing the light outputted from the first output port (P3) of the mixing circuit into two orthogonal components, first and second optical receivers (23,25) for applying heterodyne detection to signals of respective polarization components obtained from the first polarization splitter (23) and for outputting an intermediate frequency signal, a second polarization splitter (31) for dividing the light outputted from the second output port (P4) of the mixing circuit (21) into two orthogonal polarization components, third and fourth optical receivers (32,33) for performing a heterodyne detection of the signals of the selective polarization component obtained from the second polarization splitter (31) and for outputting an intermediate frequency signal, a first subtractor (34) for subtracting the output of the first optical receiver (24) from the output of the third optical receiver (32), a second subtractor (35) for subtracting the output of the second light receiver (25) from the output of the fourth light receiver (33), means (26) for combining two intermediate frequency signals outputted from said first and second subtractors (34,35), a demodulator (27) for demodulating a first output signal outputted from said signal combining means (26), and a polarization control circuit (29) for driving the polarization operation apparatus (20) based on second and third output signals (b,a) respectively derived from said first and second subtractors (34,35) and said combining means (26), to control the polarization status of the signal light, thereby constituting a dual balanced optical receiver, characterised in that said signal combining means (26) comprises a 90-degree hybrid coupler (26) for combining said intermediate frequency signals outputted from said first and second subtractors (34,35), to produce, at one output port (P3), said third output signal (a) and, at a second output port (P4), an intermediate frequency signal for outputting to said demodulator (27) as said first output signal. The heterodyne receiving apparatus according to claim 15, wherein both signal light and local oscillation light have polarization states in which the principal axes are slanted at 45 degrees and have a phase difference of 90 degrees. The heterodyne receiving apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, wherein said optical local oscillator circuit (22) comprises a semiconductor laser. The heterodyne receiver according to claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein said polarization operation apparatus (20) comprises a λ/4 plate (20a) and a λ/1 plate (20b) arranged in series along the path of the signal light and a pulse motor (20c,20d) for rotating each of the λ/4 and λ/2 plates (20a,20b). The heterodyne receiving apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein said first to fourth optical receivers (24,25,32,33) comprise photo-diodes, and signals of the respective light polarization components obtained by said first and second polarization splitters (23,31) are subjected to a heterodyne detection, thereby providing intermediate frequency signals whose phases are shifted 90 degrees from each other. The heterodyne receiving apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein said 90-degree hybrid coupler (26) has first and second input ports (P1,P2) in addition to said first and second output ports (P3,P4) and delays the phase of the signal inputted to the first input port (P1), the delayed signal is added to the signals inputted to the second input port (P2) and are thereby outputted from the second output port (P4), the phase of the signal inputted to the second input port (P2) is delayed by 90 degrees, and the delayed signal is added to the signal inputted to the first input port (P1) to be outputted from the first output port (P3). The heterodyne receiving apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said 90-degree hybrid coupler (26) is arranged to add the intermediate frequency signals outputted from the subtractors (34,35), said signals having a phase difference of 90 degrees, and being changed to have the same phase, thereby providing an added signal which is outputted from the second output port (P4) and transmitted to the demodulator (27), and the intermediate frequency signals which are shifted in phase by 90 degrees from each other are made to provide a signal of the opposite phase and are added to each other, to be thereby outputted from the first output port (P3) as a monitor signal. The heterodyne receiver according to claim 21, wherein the signal outputted from the first output port (P3) of said 90 degree hybrid coupler (26) outputted as a monitor is made 0 or minimum, thereby deleting the image component from the signals outputted from the second output port (P4). The heterodyne receiver according to claim 20, wherein a differential amplifier (28) is provided for receiving the output signals from the first and second subtractors (34,35), the signal output of the differential amplifier (28) is made the signal for monitoring the principal axis angle of the signal light and the signal output from the first output port (P3) of the 90 degree hybrid coupler (26) is made a signal for monitoring elliptic ratio of the signal light, said polarization control circuit (29) being arranged to receive signals (b) for monitoring a principal angle and signals (a) for monitoring the elliptic ratio. The heterodyne receiver according to claim 23, wherein the polarization control circuit (29) is arranged to drive the polarization operation apparatus (20) so that both the signals (b) for monitoring the principal axis angle and signals (a) for monitoring the elliptic ratio are made 0 or maximum. The heterodyne receiver according to claim 24, wherein the polarization control circuit (29) comprises respective A/D converters (29b,29a) for performing an A/D conversion of said principal angle monitor signal and said elliptic ratio monitor signal, respective pulse motor driving circuits (29e,29d) for driving the pulse motors (20d,20c) of the polarization operating apparatus (20), and a numerical processing circuit for controlling the pulse motor driving circuit (29c) so that all the outputs of said A/D converters (29b,29a) are made 0 or minimum. The heterodyne receiver according to claim 25, wherein the numerical processing circuit (29c) is subjected to numerical process using a mountain-climbing method. The heterodyne receiver according to claim 23 wherein the output signal from the first output port (P3) of said 90 degree hybrid coupler (26) and the output signals from the subtractors (34,35) are respectively applied to polarization control circuit (29) and differential amplifier (28) through the power detection by power monitors (41,42,43).

Inventors: CHIKAMA TERUMI, KIYONAGA TETSUYA, NAITO TAKAO, ONODA YOSHIHITO, WATANABE SHIGEKI, CHIKAMA, TERUMI, KIYONAGA, TETSUYA, NAITO, TAKAO, ONODA, YOSHIHITO, WATANABE, SHIGEKI
Applicants: FUJITSU LTD, FUJITSU LIMITED
Application year: 1989
Main classification: H04B10
IPC codes: H04B10, G02F2