Abstract: A carrier signal extraction system for suppressing and extracting a carrier signal component and transmitting a double sideband component includes a polarized light source for transmitting a polarized light signal output; a polarization modulator with a first input coupled to the polarized light signal output and a second input for adding a modulation signal to the polarized light signal, thereby generating a polarization modulated light output; and a polarizing element having an input coupled to the polarization modulated light output for suppressing and extracting the carrier signal component and preferentially transmitting a double sideband component of the polarization modulated light output.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first portion operable to convert an optical phase modulation component of a signal being transmitted through a fiber to a RF intensity modulation, the RF intensity modulation comprising a magnitude; and a second portion operable to determine a dispersion of the fiber based on the magnitude of the RF intensity modulation. Optionally, the first portion includes a path-imbalanced interferometer and an optical intensity detector communicating therewith. Optionally, the apparatus further includes a dispersion compensator communicating with the second portion. Optionally, the second portion includes a filter detector or a coherent detector. Optionally, the filter detector includes a bandpass filter and a Schottky diode, and the coherent detector includes a heterodyne detector or a homodyne detector.