A method to provide an emitter and a receiver with a common polarization reference frame wherein the emitter comprises a source to produce polarized photons in at least two non-orthogonal polarizations, wherein the receiver comprises a detection means to determine the polarization of the polarized photons in at least two non-orthogonal polarization states, wherein the emitter and receiver are connected via an optical channel, wherein the optical channel comprises a transmission means to guide the polarized photons from the emitter to the receiver, and a first correction means to correct any unitary transformation of the polarization of the photons caused by the optical channel, wherein the first correction means consists of a first correction component and a second correction component, wherein the first and second correction components (11, 12) are separate components, wherein the method comprises the steps of I) providing a local polarization reference frame with a local polarization reference means in the emitter with at least two non-orthogonal polarization states, a first local polarization reference state and a second local polarization reference state, II) performing one or more calibration steps by adjusting the first correction component of the correction means and maximization and/or minimization of the detected photons in the detection means in the receiver in the first reference polarization state, in order to set the first local polarization reference state in the receiver, III) performing one or more calibration steps by adjusting the second correction component of the correction means and maximization and/or minimization of the detected photons in the detection means in the receiver in the second reference polarization state in order to set the second local polarization reference state in the receiver. wherein the emitter comprises a source to produce polarized photons in at least two non-orthogonal polarizations, wherein the receiver comprises a detection means to determine the polarization of the polarized photons in at least two non-orthogonal polarization states, wherein the emitter and receiver are connected via an optical channel, wherein the optical channel comprises a transmission means to guide the polarized photons from the emitter to the receiver, and a first correction means to correct any unitary transformation of the polarization of the photons caused by the optical channel, wherein the first correction means consists of a first correction component and a second correction component, wherein the first and second correction components (11, 12) are separate components, wherein the method comprises the steps of I) providing a local polarization reference frame with a local polarization reference means in the emitter with at least two non-orthogonal polarization states, a first local polarization reference state and a second local polarization reference state, II) performing one or more calibration steps by adjusting the first correction component of the correction means and maximization and/or minimization of the detected photons in the detection means in the receiver in the first reference polarization state, in order to set the first local polarization reference state in the receiver, III) performing one or more calibration steps by adjusting the second correction component of the correction means and maximization and/or minimization of the detected photons in the detection means in the receiver in the second reference polarization state in order to set the second local polarization reference state in the receiver. I) providing a local polarization reference frame with a local polarization reference means in the emitter with at least two non-orthogonal polarization states, a first local polarization reference state and a second local polarization reference state, II) performing one or more calibration steps by adjusting the first correction component of the correction means and maximization and/or minimization of the detected photons in the detection means in the receiver in the first reference polarization state, in order to set the first local polarization reference state in the receiver, III) performing one or more calibration steps by adjusting the second correction component of the correction means and maximization and/or minimization of the detected photons in the detection means in the receiver in the second reference polarization state in order to set the second local polarization reference state in the receiver.