Modulation Format Independent Joint Polarization and Phase Tracking for Coherent Receivers

TL;DR

This paper introduces a blind, model-based joint polarization and phase tracking algorithm for coherent optical receivers that is modulation format independent, fast converging, and computationally efficient, improving impairment mitigation.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel joint tracking algorithm that simultaneously compensates polarization and phase impairments without relying on specific mathematical models of the impairments.

Findings

Effective in dynamic polarization and phase conditions

Fast convergence and high noise tolerance

Lower computational complexity than existing methods

Abstract

The state of polarization and the carrier phase drift dynamically during transmission in a random fashion in coherent optical fiber communications. The typical digital signal processing solution to mitigate these impairments consists of two separate blocks that track each phenomenon independently. Such algorithms have been developed without taking into account mathematical models describing the impairments. We study a blind, model-based tracking algorithm to compensate for these impairments. The algorithm dynamically recovers the carrier phase and state of polarization jointly for an arbitrary modulation format. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, having a fast convergence rate and an excellent tolerance to phase noise and dynamic drift of the polarization. The computational complexity of the algorithm is lower compared to state-of-the-art algorithms at similar or better performance, which makes it a strong candidate for future optical systems.