Reducing the number of polarization controllers in all-fiber polarization-mode-dispersion emulators using polarization maintaining fiber sub-sections with unequal lengths

Using polarization-maintaining fiber (PMF) sub-sections with unequal lengths, an all-fiber polarization mode dispersion (PMD) emulator with reduced number of polarization controllers is proposed and demonstrated. With six polarization controllers and seven PMF sections, each consists of four sub-sections with unequal lengths and spliced at 45° relative to each other, the generated PMD first- and second-order statistical distributions are close to those of the real fiber link with negligible deviations, therefore, the cost of all-fiber PMD emulators, mainly from the electrically driven polarization controllers, is significantly reduced.