Distributed high birefringence localization based in polarization OTDR converter: A field demonstration

Abstract

We present a field demonstration of a distributed high birefringence localization based in POTDR-C (Polarization Optical Time Domain Reflectometer Converter). In such conception, a low cost converter is used after a commercial OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) to reduce spectral line width of OTDR laser. This ensures high sensitivity to SOP (State of Polarization) changes due to local birefringence of optical signal keeping high reach of hundreds kilometers of present OTDR technology. The proposed system was tested in a real installed system in one route of 106.70 km with accumulated polarization mode dispersion (PMD) of 31.46 ps. It successfully determined three segments of high PMD in the route of 8.1 km, 4.0 km and 4.1 km. Replacement of identified high PMD sections resulted in PMD reduction to 1.354 ps, very close to predicted value of 1.314 ps.