Polarization mode dispersion compensation using a wavelength locked loop

A dispersion compensation system for an optical system comprising:

• an optical signal generator for providing an optical signal capable of being transmitted via a fiber optic link in an optical network, said optical signal characterized as having an operating center wavelength and said fiber optic length exhibiting means for causing polarization mode dispersion of said optical signal;
• a detector device for detecting an amount of polarization mode dispersion characteristic of said optical signal transmitted in said fiber link and generating an electric signal representing said detected amount;
• wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit for physically adjusting said optical fiber in accordance with a detected amount of polarization mode dispersion detected to thereby minimize said polarization mode dispersion of said optical signal in said optical fiber link, said adjusted optical signal capable of being optimally transmitted over longer fiber distances with reduced dispersion effects in said optical network.

A method of compensating for optical polarization dispersion effects in a length of optical fiber in an optical network, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) receiving an input optical signal in said optical network, said optical signal characterized as having an operating center wavelength and said fiber optic length exhibiting means for causing polarization mode dispersion of said optical signal;
• b) detecting an amount of polarization mode dispersion characteristic of said optical signal transmitted in said fiber link and generating an electric signal representing said detected amount;
• c) automatically adjusting in real-time a peaked center wavelength of said optical signal in accordance with said detected amount of polarization mode dispersion to thereby minimize said polarization mode dispersion of said optical signal in said optical fiber link, said adjusted optical signal capable of being optimally transmitted over longer fiber distances with reduced dispersion effects in said optical network.

A method of compensating for optical polarization dispersion effects in a length of optical fiber in an optical network, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) receiving an input optical signal in said optical network, said optical signal characterized as having an operating center wavelength and said fiber optic length exhibiting means for causing polarization mode dispersion of said optical signal;
• b) detecting an amount of polarization mode dispersion characteristic of said optical signal transmitted in said fiber link and generating an electric signal representing said detected amount;
• c) physically adjusting said optical fiber in accordance with a detected amount of polarization mode dispersion detected to thereby minimize said polarization mode dispersion of said optical signal in said optical fiber link, said adjusted optical signal capable of being optimally transmitted over longer fiber distances with reduced dispersion effects in said optical network.