A SIMO DFE-based equalization technique for PMD compensation

Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD) imposes a new challenge for high speed optical transmission. This paper proposes a novel Single-Input Multiple-Output (SIMO) Decision Feedback Equalizer (DFE) technique to combat all orders of PMD-induced distortion. The scheme is based on a new SIMO PMD channel model, which utilizes information embedded in both polarization states. Explicit expressions for the filter coefficients are provided. The simulation results show that the new scheme provides improvement over first order optical compensator and conventional DFE.