Proceedings Article | 11 February 2005
KEYWORDS: Optical amplifiers, Polarization, Fiber amplifiers, Light sources, Interferometry, Dispersion, Telecommunications, Single mode fibers, Testing and analysis, Optical testing
To learn the surrounding conditions in the fiber link and its effect on PMD, and to provide the first-hand design basis, we have carried out the data observation of PMD in a fiber link for a long time. We have tested the first-order and second-order PMD. The fiber tested is the G652 fiber produced by Corning Co. of USA, and the testing distance is 1000km; n segments of same fibers are linked into one, and n equals to 40, that is to say, the length of every segment is 25km; for the requirement of dispersion compensation in the high-speed and long distance fiber optical communication system, one fiber grating dispersion compensator is added in the place of every 200km, and there are five compensators; one EDFA is added in the place of every 100km, and there are eleven EDFA. The result suggests that, with the increase of length of fiber link, the distribution of PMD intends to be stable, that is, with the number n increasing, the relative error of PMD becomes less.
The testing methods are the Jones matrix eigenanalysis technique and interference technique. HP8509B fiber polarization analyzer of Agilent in USA is used for measuring instrument of the Jones matrix eigenanalysis technique; FPMD-5600 Femtosecond PMD Analyzer of EXFO in Canada is used for measuring instrument of interference technique. The difference between these two testing methods is analyzed.
With the Jones matrix eigenanalysis technique, fibers of 1000km are inspected through 48 hours, and the result suggests that, at nine o'clock in the morning, PMD reaches the maximum, at nine o'clock in the evening, it reaches the minimum, during other time, its change is very little. So it can be concluded that, PMD in the long distance fiber link is affected by temperature of the lab. Stress testing is carried in the ultra-short fiber (less than one meter). PMD has no obvious change in the range of stress which can be endured by the fiber.
