Nonlinear dynamics of an optical phase locked loop in presence of additional loop time delay

The dynamics of an optical phase locked loop (OPLL) with first order loop filter having inherent loop time delay is investigated. In the presence of delay, the system is modeled as a third order autonomous system. In the out of lock condition or during the process of locking, the dynamics of the system is highly nonlinear and different nonlinear phenomena, like limit cycle oscillation, period doubling, chaotic oscillations etc., may be observed with the variation of design parameters. Applying the techniques of the nonlinear dynamics, we have calculated the effects of the inherent loop time delay in determining the state of the loop. The analytical results predicting the parameter values for stable and unstable region of operation are obtained using the quasi-linear Routh–Hurwitz method. The parameter range required for the onset of chaotic oscillations is estimated by Melnikov's global perturbation method. The predicted results are in agreement with those obtained by numerical integration of system equations.