Optimization of monitoring bandwidth for a polarization-mode dispersion monitoring technique based on rf spectrum analysis

Abstract

We report on the optimum bandwidth of the electrical bandpass filter used in the polarization-mode dispersion (PMD) monitoring technique based on rf spectrum analysis. In this analysis, we considered both the monitoring sensitivity and the correlation with PMD induced bit error rate degradations. The results show that, when the PMD monitoring technique based on rf spectrum analysis is used, the bandwidth of the electrical bandpass filter should be about 10% of the signal's bit rate to optimize the performance of PMD compensation.