Siemens Touts Electrical PolarizationSiemens Touts Electrical Polarization

MUNICH -- At ECOC in Rimini, Italy, Siemens ICN will report on polarization demultiplexing after optical-to-electrical conversion using an analog integrated-circuit based polarization state controller. This device can be used for endless unwinding polarization state control and demultiplexing of polarization multiplexed optical signals resulting in cheaper and faster transmission.

Polarization multiplexing allows for a doubling of the spectral efficiency of most modulation formats, because it employs the two available orthogonal polarization states at the same wavelength as independent communication channels. This multiplexing technique is often used to obtain the highest transmission capacities in hero experiments.

During propagation of the two polarization signals through the optical transmission fiber, the polarization state changes due to the fiber birefringence. Hence at the end-of-line in order to optimally demultiplex the two polarization channels, a polarization state controller is required. State of the art systems use an optical polarization state controller for the inverse Jones matrix operation because of its simplicity and because electro-optic devices exist allowing for fast automatic control. However it is known from radio communication that polarization demultiplexing can be performed at the detector using a phase diversity coherent receiver. The polarization demultiplexer presented at ECOC is based on a similar technology with an electrical analog integrated-circuit based polarization state controller for ultrafast polarization control.

The presentation will be held on September 25th 2003, at Room 11.15am in room 2 8 (Rimini Fiera).

Siemens Information and Communications Networks Inc.