We evaluate the advantage of using space-time coding in order to increase the tolerance of fiber-optic communications systems to polarization-dependent loss (PDL). Focusing on three particular codes, the Golden Code, the Silver Code (SC), and the Alamouti Code (AC), we calculate the amount of average PDL that can be tolerated for a given signal-to-noise ratio margin that is designed into the system. The SC is shown to be optimal in the case of low to moderate PDL, whereas, in the case of extreme PDL, the AC shows the best performance.
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