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US 11,777,597 B2Granted
Dual-direction OTDR system for inter-node communications
AssigneeII-Vi Delaware, Inc.
InventorsMichael J. L. Cahill, Aravanan Gurusami, Timothy K. Zahnley
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Abstract
Modules for optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR) are connected via at least one fiber link of a fiber optic communication network. The modules can perform OTDR operations on the at least one fiber link. In addition, the modules can establish an inter-node communication channel between each other on the at least one fiber link. The channel allows the OTDR modules to synchronize their OTDR operations and to exchange information, such as OTDR traces, between each other.
Claims20
A method implemented at a first optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR) module connected to at least one fiber link of a fiber optic communication network, the method comprising:
- sending, from the first OTDR module, a first communication on the at least one fiber link;
- receiving, at the first OTDR module, a response on the at least one fiber link having a second communication associated with a second OTDR module;
- sending, from the first OTDR module, a confirmation communication on the at least one fiber link in response to the receipt of the second communication;
- establishing, with the first OTDR module, a communication channel on the at least one fiber link with the second OTDR module;
- and
- performing, with the first OTDR module, an OTDR operation on the at least one fiber link,
- wherein
- the first OTDR module is connected to a plurality of fiber spans of the at least one fiber link, and
- sending the first communication on the at least one fiber link comprises:
- defining an order of ports on the first OTDR module to be probed, each of the ports connected to one of the fiber spans;
- and
- transmitting the first communication on one or more of the fiber spans associated with one or more of the ports selected in the defined order.
9 more elements
An apparatus connected to at least one fiber link, the apparatus comprising:
- a transmitter configured to transmit optical signals;
- a receiver configured to receive optical signals;
- a connection configured to couple the transmitter and the receiver to the at least one fiber link;
- and
- a processing unit in operable communication with the transmitter and the receiver, the processing unit being configured to:
- send, from the transmitter, a first communication on the at least one fiber link;
- receive, at the receiver, a response on the at least one fiber link having a second communication associated with an OTDR module;
- resend, from the transmitter, the first communication on the at least one fiber link in response to the receipt of the second communication;
- establish, with the apparatus, a communication channel on the at least one fiber link with the OTDR module;
- and
- perform, with the apparatus, an optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR) operation on the at least one fiber link,
- wherein the OTDR module is connected to a plurality of fiber spans of the at least one fiber link, and
- wherein to send, from the apparatus, the first communication on the at least one fiber link to the OTDR module, the processing unit is configured to:
- define an order of ports on the apparatus to be probed, each of the ports connected to one of the plurality of fiber spans;
- and
- transmit the first communication on one or more of the plurality of fiber spans associated with one or more of the ports selected in the defined order.
13 more elements
A method implemented at a first optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR) module connected to at least one fiber link, the method comprising:
- receiving, at the first OTDR module, a first communication associated with a second OTDR module on the at least one fiber link;
- sending, from the first OTDR module, a response on the at least one fiber link having a second communication of the first OTDR module;
- receiving, at the first OTDR module, a resend of the first communication on the at least one fiber link in response to the sending of the second communication;
- establishing, with the first OTDR module, a communication channel on the at least one fiber link with the second OTDR module in response thereto;
- and
- performing, with the first OTDR module, an OTDR operation on the at least one fiber link,
- wherein
- the first OTDR module is connected to a plurality of fiber spans of the at least one fiber link, and
- sending the first communication on the at least one fiber link comprises:
- defining an order of ports on the first OTDR module to be probed, each of the ports connected to one of the fiber spans;
- and
- transmitting the first communication on one or more of the fiber spans associated with one or more of the ports selected in the defined order.
9 more elements
An apparatus connected to at least one fiber link, the apparatus comprising:
- a transmitter configured to transmit optical signals;
- a receiver configured to receive optical signals;
- a connection configured to couple the transmitter and the receiver to the at least one fiber link;
- and
- a processing unit in operable communication with the transmitter and the receiver, the processing unit being configured to:
- receive, at the receiver, a first communication associated with an OTDR module on the at least one fiber link;
- send, from the transmitter, a response on the at least one fiber link having a second communication of the apparatus;
- receive, at the receiver, a resend of the first communication on the at least one fiber link in response to the sending of the second identifier;
- establish a communication channel on the at least one fiber link with the OTDR module in response thereto;
- and
- perform an optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR) operation on the at least one fiber link,
- wherein to send, from the apparatus, the first communication on the at least one fiber link to the OTDR module, the processing unit is configured to:
- define an order of ports on the apparatus to be probed, each of the ports connected to one of the fiber spans;
- and
- transmit the first communication on one or more of the fiber spans associated with one or more of the ports selected in the defined order.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.