OFC/NFOEC workshop to tackle real-world PMD

MARCH 21, 2007 By Stephen Hardy -- Service providers and technology developers are well aware that polarization mode dispersion (PMD) can limit how far signals can travel down a fiber without regeneration -- particularly as those signals approach 40 Gbit/sec. A workshop at OFC/NFOEC on Monday, March 26, will tackle the question of how much of an obstacle to higher transmission speeds presently deployed fiber presents when it comes to PMD.

According to Sergio Barcelos of FiberWork Optical Communications, who has organized the workshop, carrier interest in 40-Gbit/sec transmission has finally left the theoretical realm and has reached reality. However, it is clear that carriers would prefer to use their existing fiber plant -- much of it installed years ago -- rather than recable with the current generation of PMD-resistant fiber. The workshop will address the issue of how big a problem PMD might be when using installed infrastructure.

Barcelos says the workshop will provide carriers, their suppliers, and experts from a variety of fields a venue to discuss the issue from a practical, market perspective. Presenters will include representatives from Nortel Networks, T-Systems/Deutsche Telekom, EXFO, Optical Technology Training Ltd., and FiberWork. Ovum-RHK will provide a market research viewpoint; Barcelos adds that a speaker from KMI Research may participate as well.

The results of PMD measurement studies will be among the presentations.

More information about the program and the speakers can be found at the FiberWork website

The workshop will begin at 8 AM on March 26 and run through 11 AM in Ballroom B of the Anaheim Convention Center.