Measurement of polarization dependent loss in an optical transmission system

摘要

A method is provided for measuring polarization dependent loss in an optical transmission system. In the method, a first optical signal is generated, and a polarization of the first optical signal is altered over time. The first optical signal is combined with a second optical signal from the optical transmission system to yield a combined optical signal, which is coherently detected to yield a radio frequency signal. A power of the radio frequency signal is measured. The measured power of the radio frequency signal is processed to generate an indication of the polarization dependent loss of the optical transmission system.