Long term stability of aerial optical cables with respect to gigabit/s data rates

Abstract

For the extension of existing optical fiber links to higher data transfer rates in the multi-gigabit range and the expected higher power density due to DWDM one must consider possible limitations of the deployed cables. Many investigations have identified polarization mode dispersion PMD as a crucial parameter especially for cables exposed to environmental stresses. Three aerial optical fiber cable links were characterized by measuring PMD, optical time domain reflectometry OTDR, polarization-OTDR, and bit eirnr rate BER. Measurement results over several days are correlated to temperature data from weather stations along the cable lines.

Polarization effects in aerial fibers

“…These are of interest because they give an idea of possible system outage causes specific to aerial fibers. PMD in aerial fiber at high altitudes [8] has been measured and found to track diurnal temperature changes [9]. Correlations between simulated wind motion and modal noise have been observed in aerial multi-mode fiber cables [10].…”