Single-End Measurement of Root Mean Square Differential Group Delay in Single-Mode Fibers by Polarization Optical Time-Domain Reflectometry

We present a novel technique, based on polarization-sensitive reflectometry, able to perform single-end measurements of the root mean square differential group delay of single-mode fibers. The technique uses single wavelength measurements and may be applied to sections of fiber links. The theoretical analysis is supported by experimental results.