Equivalent first-order lumped-elements model for networks with both PMD and PDL

In presence of distributed polarization-dependent loss (PDL) in networks with polarization-mode dispersion (PMD), under first-order approximation, due to PMD and PDL interaction not only principal polarization states are nonorthogonal, but also differential group delay (DGD) becomes complex. It is already known that the interaction between PMD and PDL further degrades system performance in addition to DGD-induced system performance degradation. An equivalent lumped-elements model is proposed for networks with both PMD and PDL. The model is very useful in system link budget verification for polarization-related impairments as well as PMD and PDL compensation techniques development.