Polarization Control System with Endless Tracking Dithering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Polarization control systems in optical communication face challenges with loss of polarization tracking due to dithering algorithm failures, known as Glitch, especially when retardation angles are not properly controlled, leading to discontinuities in polarization control.
Innovation Solution
A polarization control system with two working modes: normal and glitch modes, where retardation angles are initialized to at least two different values, and dithering is applied to both orientation and retardation angles when error thresholds are exceeded, ensuring continuous tracking and resetting to initial values upon correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If dithering algorithm is used for polarization control, then polarization tracking speed is improved, but Glitch problem occurs causing loss of polarization tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by initializing retardation angles to at least two different values before operation begins. This preliminary setup ensures that when Glitch detection triggers, the system already has alternative retardation angle values ready to switch to, preventing loss of polarization tracking while maintaining fast response through the dithering algorithm.
2Device complexity
If retardation angles are fixed to single value, then device complexity is reduced, but Glitch problem increases due to insufficient control flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter configuration by initializing retardation angles to at least two different values rather than fixing them to a single value. This parameter diversity provides the system with sufficient control flexibility to handle various polarization states and avoid Glitch conditions, while the complexity remains manageable through automated switching between predefined values.
3Device complexity
If dithering is applied only to orientation angles, then control algorithm simplicity is maintained, but polarization tracking reliability deteriorates under certain conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by making the dithering process adaptive rather than static. The control algorithm dynamically determines whether to dither only orientation angles or both orientation and retardation angles based on real-time Glitch detection. This dynamic adjustment maintains algorithm simplicity during normal operation while enhancing reliability when Glitch conditions are detected, switching to dual-parameter dithering automatically.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure includes a configuration of a polarization control system and an algorithm that realize fast polarization controlling and tracking while avoiding the Glitch problems (i.e., loss of polarization tracking). The polarization controller includes multiple stages along with tunable orientation and retardation angles. The retardation angles are initialized to at least two different values for better polarization tracking in normal mode. In a normal mode, only the orientation angles of the polarization controller are dithered. When the monitored error is higher than the threshold, the polarization controller enters a glitch mode, and Glitch detection can be improved through error signal data processing. In the Glitch mode, at least one retardation angle is dithered along with the orientation angles. After the Glitch problem is avoided, the polarization controller stops dither the retardation angles and move all wave plates back to their initial values, and the polarization controller enters the normal mode.