Impact of interference noise and polarization mode dispersion on broadband analog CATV optical transmission

We present experimental observation of limitations caused by interference noise (through optical return loss) and fiber PMD on the optical analog transmission of 82 CATV channels, in an HFC network. Results demonstrate that unexpected high values of return loss and PMD can be accommodated without performance degradation. Using 1.3 /spl mu/m transmission with direct modulation, as many as 14/SPC connectors in one case, and up to 10 ps PMD in another case are observed to be acceptable. We also observed perfect transmisson in a 10 km link span, with 7 connectors, low PMD, without amplification.