PMD Measurement:

Is Wavelength an Issue?
Application Note
By Francis Audet, Eng. Product Manager
ANOTE052.1AN
Can we measure PMD at a given wavelength?
Weve all heard this question before. Lets
review some basic principles before
answering
PMD, by definition, is equal to the average of
the Differential Group Delay (DGD) variation
over the whole spectrum. We estimate PMD by
measuring it over a wavelength range that is as
wide as possible. According to the fundamental
definition of the average DGD, we see that DGD
variation behaves statistically and because of
this, a large representative number of samples
(data-DGD) is required in order to obtain a truly
representative average. Therefore, we use a
wide wavelength range; this allows us to
average more points. Just as in sports, the
statistics are more reliable at the end of the
season than after a single game. Why? Because
more data is averaged.
Figure 1: DGD is wavelength-dependent. PMD, which is the
average DGD, is not.
If the DGD at one given wavelength changes, as
it often does due to its statistical nature, the
average is minimally affected. The result is
always within your PMD analyzers degree of
uncertainty.
Therefore, we can come to the following
conclusions:
1) PMD is not wavelength-dependent.
2) The wider the wavelength range, the more
accurate the PMD measurement.
When testing, EXFO uses a broadband source
centered at 1550 nm with a 100 nm span*. It is
due to this large wavelength range that we can
achieve a reliable PMD value. Asking for PMD at
a single wavelength contradicts the very
definition of PMD itself. Although we can
request the DGD at a single wavelength, this
cannot be done for PMD.
Since we use a 100 nm span with our source
centered at 1550 nm, its range would extend
from 1500 to 1600 nm. If we were to test at
1625 nm, the source would range from 1575 to
1675 nm, and there would be an overlapping
span between 1575 nm and 1600 nm. So in
addition to being wavelength-independent, the
PMD would be averaged over a partially
overlapping section. The end result would be
the same (within your PMD analyzers degree of
uncertainty).
What is the answer to
our question? PMD
cannot be measured at
a certain wavelength.
As explained above,
PMD is not wavelength-
sensitive. It is analyzed
over a wide range to gain
accuracy due to its
statistical nature, not due to wavelength-
dependence. PMD is not measured at one given
wavelength. If you wish to know the PMD in the
1625 nm region, you can measure it at around
1550 nm; the result is transposable to the
1625 nm region and is just as accurate.
*If we only take into account the 3 dB
bandwidth convention, the range is narrower
(60 nm for the M-2100). However, the
interferometer detector uses considerably more
than the 3 dB bandwidth; its usable range is
close to 100 nm.
1520 1530 1540 1550 1560 1570
PMD (average DGD)
Wavelength (nm)
www.exfo.com
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 465 Godin Avenue, Vanier (Quebec) G1M 3G7 CANADA Tel.: (418) 683-0211 Fax: (418) 683-2170
EXFO AMERICA 1201 Richardson Drive, Suite 260, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA Tel.: 1 800 663-3936 Fax: (972) 907-2297
EXFO EUROPE Centre dAffaires Les Metz, 100, rue Albert Calmette, 78353, Jouy-en-Josas, FRANCE Tel.: +33.1.34.63.00.20 Fax: +33.1.34.65.90.93
EXFO ASIA PACIFIC 151 Chin Swee Road #03-29, Manhattan House, SINGAPORE 169876 Tel: +65 333 8241 Fax: +65 333 8242
1 800 663-3936
info@exfo.com
www.exfo.com