Model-Based Machine Learning for Joint Digital Backpropagation and PMD Compensation
Journal article, 2021

In this article, we propose a model-based machine-learning approach for dual-polarization systems by parameterizing the split-step Fourier method for the Manakov-PMD equation. The resulting method combines hardware-friendly time-domain nonlinearity mitigation via the recently proposed learned digital backpropagation (LDBP) with distributed compensation of polarization-mode dispersion (PMD). We refer to the resulting approach as LDBP-PMD. We train LDBP-PMD on multiple PMD realizations and show that it converges within 1% of its peak dB performance after 428 training iterations on average, yielding a peak effective signal-to-noise ratio of only 0.30 dB below the PMD-free case. Similar to state-of-the-art lumped PMD compensation algorithms in practical systems, our approach does not assume any knowledge about the particular PMD realization along the link, nor any knowledge about the total accumulated PMD. This is a significant improvement compared to prior work on distributed PMD compensation, where knowledge about the accumulated PMD is typically assumed. We also compare different parameterization choices in terms of performance, complexity, and convergence behavior. Lastly, we demonstrate that the learned models can be successfully retrained after an abrupt change of the PMD realization along the fiber.

Deep learning

polarization-mode dispersion

machine learning

optical fiber communications

digital signal processing

dual-polarization transmission

digital backpropagation

Author

Rick M. Butler

Eindhoven University of Technology

Christian Häger

Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Communication, Antennas and Optical Networks

Henry D. Pfister

Duke University

Gabriele Liga

Eindhoven University of Technology

A. Alvarado

Eindhoven University of Technology

Journal of Lightwave Technology

0733-8724 (ISSN) 1558-2213 (eISSN)

Vol. 39 4 949-959 9240033

Subject Categories

Control Engineering

Signal Processing

Computer Science

DOI

10.1109/JLT.2020.3034047

More information

Latest update

3/12/2021