System and method for reducing interference of a polarization multiplexed signal

A method for detecting polarization scrambling of a polarization multiplexed optical signal comprising:

• receiving a polarization multiplexed optical signal associated with an optical network and including a scrambled polarization orientation, the polarization orientation scrambled according to a scrambling frequency;
• receiving a polarization signal indicating the polarization scrambling of the received optical signal;
• and
• descrambling the optical signal according to the polarization scrambling as indicated by the polarization signal.

A system for detecting polarization scrambling of a polarization multiplexed optical signal comprising:

• a polarization monitor associated with an optical network configured to:
• receive a polarization multiplexed optical signal including a scrambled polarization orientation over the optical network, the polarization orientation scrambled according to a scrambling frequency;
• detect the polarization scrambling of the optical signal;
• and
• generate a polarization signal indicating the scrambling frequency and polarization orientation of the received optical signal according to the detected polarization scrambling;
• a descrambling unit associated with the optical network, communicatively coupled to the polarization monitor and configured to:
• receive the polarization signal from the polarization monitor;
• and
• descramble the optical signal according to the scrambling frequency and polarization orientation as indicated by the polarization signal.

A system for scrambling polarization of a polarization multiplexed optical signal comprising:

• a polarization scrambler configured to scramble a polarization orientation of a polarization multiplexed optical signal associated with an optical network according to a scrambling frequency to reduce polarization dependent effects associated with the optical signal;
• an optical transmitter associated with the polarization scrambler and configured to transmit a polarization signal through the optical network, the polarization signal indicating the polarization scrambling of the optical signal;
• and
• a descrambling unit associated with the optical network and configured to:
• receive the polarization signal over the optical network;
• and
• descramble the optical signal according to the polarization scrambling as indicated by the polarization signal.