Infinera Corporation
Method and apparatus for transmitter IQ skew and insertion loss detection for coherent optical systems

Abstract:

A system and method are disclosed to characterize and correct for the effects of IQ skew and insertion loss in a coherent optical transmitter. The coherent optical transmitter receives a digital data signal including in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components and generates corresponding first and second dither signals. The first dither signal may be combined with the I component and the second dither signal may be combined with the Q component to generate I and Q combined signals, which may be converted into I and Q analog waveforms. An optical signal may be generated corresponding to the I and Q analog waveforms for transmission over an optical fiber. The IQ skew and/or insertion loss for the coherent optical transmitter may then be calculated based on the optical signal using the disclosed dither tone processing techniques in order to correct IQ skew and/or insertion loss impairment.