Speakers
Description
The rising internet use, digital transformation, and expanding telecom networks have increased demand for high-speed data transmission. However, Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD) remains a major challenge, degrading signal quality and limiting data rates in optical fiber systems. This study investigates the impact of PMD on high-speed single-mode optical fiber systems by analyzing Differential Group Delay (DGD) and varying environmental conditions in selected areas of Abuja, Nigeria. Using two modulation formats; Non-Return-to-Zero (NRZ) and Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM), the research examines how PMD-induced DGD affects key signal performance metrics, including Bit Error Rate (BER), jitter, Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), and output optical power across fiber lengths ranging from 1 km to 40km. The experimental approach employed a time-domain method for direct DGD characterization using a test-bed consisting of a PMD emulator, Bit Error Rate Tester (BERT), polarization controller, optical power meter, and environmental sensors for temperature and humidity monitoring. All measurements were conducted at data rates between 15 Gbps and 240 Gbps and at central wavelengths of 1350 nm and 1450 nm.
Results indicate that in NRZ systems, DGD increases from 0.266 ps at 1 km to 4.543 ps at 40.56 km, with jitter rising from 4.12 ps to 31.20 ps and SNR decreasing from 34.2 dB to 52.9 dB, depending on environmental variations. In QAM systems, DGD rises from 0.325 ps to 4.54 ps, with jitter increasing from 3.85 ps to 33.20 ps. Humidity changes from 53.1% to 59.5% caused DGD increases of up to 2.94 ps (NRZ) and 1.45 ps (QAM), while temperature variations from 28.34°C to 29.90°C produced further fluctuations. BER values remained within 1.12×10⁻⁷ to 1.34×10⁻⁷, reflecting DGD’s influence on symbol detection accuracy. Overall, NRZ exhibits greater sensitivity to PMD-induced DGD under varying environmental conditions, while QAM shows slightly higher jitter at longer fiber lengths. These results highlight the need to account for both modulation format and environmental factors when designing resilient optical communication networks in Abuja and similar sub-Saharan regions.
| Keyword-1 | Polarization Mode Dispersion |
|---|---|
| Keyword-2 | Differential Group Delay (DGD) |
| Keyword-3 | Environmental Factors |