PSY-201 User Guide
GP-UM-PSY-201-11
Page 27 of 105
Tornado Scrambling
Tornado scrambling generates a continuous bidirectional spiral polarization trace with a
quasi-uniform rate of SOP variation, which is useful in stress testing a device or an algorithm’s
polarization tracking capabilities. The user-set scrambling rate is the number of complete circles
traced out on the sphere per second. While the number of revolutions per second is constant, the
SOP variation rate in rad/s can vary depending on where on the sphere the circle is. The
maximum value of
Δ
SOP occurs when the rotation is around the equator, in which case,
Δ
SOP =
2
π
(# rotations/s).
Rate: 0 to 2000 revolutions/s for Tornado scrambling
Spin axis rotation:
Cir = axis rotation enabled
Fix = axis rotation disabled
Tornado scrambling can be performed by tracing out the spiral with either a fixed or
randomly rotating spin axis, as shown in Figure 18. Select the “Cir” or “Fix” axis rotation option to
enable or disable, respectively, the rotation of the spin axis. The tornado scrambling icon in the
top right of the control screen indicates the axis-rotation status. If the axis is rotating, the tornado
icon is vertical. If the axis is fixed, the tornado icon is horizontal. The default state is axis rotation
enabled. As with other scrambling modes, the icon disappears when scrambling is disabled.
(a)
(b)
Figure 18 10 second SOP capture of tornado scrambling: (a) randomly rotating spin axis at 20
revolutions per second, (b) fixed rotating spin axis at 100 rev/s.
Type: Tornado
Cir
Rate: 0100.00
Rev/s
CTR
L
Tornado scrambling icon
Vertical spiral = rotating axis
Horizontal spiral = fixed axis
Axis rotation selection:
Cir = rotating axis
Fix= fixed axis