Integrated signal loss detection in Raman amplified fiber spans or other fiber spans
AssigneeNeptune Subsea IP Limited
InventorWayne S. Pelouch
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus includes multiple ports configured to be coupled to multiple optical fibers and to transmit first optical signals and receive second optical signals over the optical fibers. The apparatus also includes a signal source configured to generate a first additional optical signal for inclusion with the first optical signals. The apparatus further includes a signal detector configured to detect a second additional optical signal included with the second optical signals. In addition, the apparatus includes a switch configured to selectively couple the signal source to one of the ports. The switch is configured to couple the signal source to different ones of the ports in different configurations of the switch.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- multiple ports configured to be coupled to multiple optical fibers and to transmit first optical signals and receive second optical signals over the optical fibers;
- a signal source configured to generate a first additional optical signal for inclusion with the first optical signals;
- a signal detector configured to detect a second additional optical signal included with the second optical signals;
- at least one pump configured to generate Raman pump power;
- at least one multiplexer configured to inject the Raman pump power onto at least one of the optical fibers;
- and
- a switch configured to selectively couple the signal source to one of the ports, the switch configured to couple the signal source to different ones of the ports in different configurations of the switch, the different configurations of the switch based on whether the Raman pump power is used for forward or backward Raman amplification.
A system comprising:
- an optical span including a first module configured to communicate optically with a second module, the first module comprising:
- multiple ports configured to be coupled to multiple optical fibers, at least one of the ports configured to at least one of:
- transmit first optical signals to the second module and receive second optical signals from the second module;
- a signal source configured to generate a first additional optical signal for inclusion with the first optical signals;
- a signal detector configured to detect a second additional optical signal included with the second optical signals;
- at least one pump configured to generate Raman pump power;
- at least one multiplexer configured to inject the Raman pump power onto at least one of the optical fibers;
- and
- a switch configured to selectively couple the signal source to one of the ports, the switch configured to couple the signal source to different ones of the ports in different configurations of the switch, the different configurations of the switch based on whether the Raman pump power is used for forward or backward Raman amplification.
An apparatus comprising:
- first, second, third, and fourth ports configured to be coupled to multiple optical fibers;
- a first signal line communicatively coupling the first and second ports;
- a second signal line communicatively coupling the third and fourth ports;
- a signal source configured to generate a first loss of signal (LOS) optical signal for transmission through the third port;
- a signal detector configured to detect a second LOS optical signal received through the first port;
- at least one pump configured to generate Raman pump power;
- at least one multiplexer configured to inject the Raman pump power through at least one of the ports;
- and
- a switch configured to selectively couple the signal source to the first port or the third port, the switch configured to couple the signal source to different ones of the ports in different configurations of the switch, the different configurations of the switch based on whether the Raman pump power is used for forward or backward Raman amplification.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.