Coexistence module for accommodating optical time domain reflectometry in optical networks
AssigneeCommScope Technologies LLC
InventorJill Anne Malecha
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A coexistence module usable at secondary locations within a routing optical network is disclosed, which accommodates OTDR testing on the optical network without requiring a separate, dedicated fiber connected between secondary locations for such testing. Rather, a filter arrangement is used in which OTDR wavelengths are separated from transmission wavelengths and optically connected to bypass router equipment at the secondary location.
Claims33
An optical testing coexistence module for use in an optical network, the optical testing coexistence module comprising:
- a first optical component optically connectable to an upstream optical fiber within the optical network, the first optical component including a first wavelength division component, the first wavelength division component configured for receipt of optical signals within a transmission wavelength range and a testing wavelength range that is outside of the transmission wavelength range, and separation of the optical signals onto:
- a transmission optical path carrying the transmission wavelength range and optically connectable to optical distribution equipment;
- and
- a bypass optical path carrying the testing wavelength range;
- a second optical component optically connectable to the optical distribution equipment to receive the transmission wavelength range via a transmission fiber connection from the optical distribution equipment and the testing wavelength range via the bypass optical path, the second optical component recombining the received optical signals in the transmission wavelength range and the testing wavelength range onto a common downstream optical fiber.
A method of enabling optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) testing in an optical network including a primary cabinet location and a plurality of secondary cabinet locations optically connected in series, each of the plurality of secondary cabinet locations optically connected to a respective upstream optical fiber and a respective downstream optical fiber, the method comprising:
- installing, at each of the plurality of secondary cabinet locations, an optical testing coexistence module comprising:
- a first optical component optically connected to an upstream optical fiber within the optical network, the first optical component including a first wavelength division component, the first wavelength division component configured for receipt of optical signals within a transmission wavelength range and a testing wavelength range that is outside of the transmission wavelength range, and separation of the optical signals onto:
- a transmission optical path carrying the transmission wavelength range and optically connected to optical distribution equipment;
- and
- a bypass optical path carrying the testing wavelength range;
- and
- a second optical component optically connected to the optical distribution equipment to receive the transmission wavelength range via a transmission fiber connection from the optical distribution equipment and the testing wavelength range via the bypass optical path, the second optical component recombining the received optical signals in the transmission wavelength range and the testing wavelength range onto a common downstream optical fiber;
- injecting, at the primary cabinet location, an OTDR signal onto the single fiber;
- and
- based on reflected optical signals, identifying locations within the optical network experiencing transmission loss.
An optical network comprising:
- a primary optical distribution location;
- and
- a plurality of secondary optical distribution locations optically connected in series to the primary optical distribution location via a fiber connection structure, the fiber connection structure carrying optical signals in a transmission wavelength range and a testing wavelength range, wherein one or more of the plurality of secondary optical distribution locations includes:
- optical distribution equipment;
- and
- an optical testing coexistence module comprising:
- a first optical component optically connected to an upstream optical fiber within the optical network, the first optical component including a first wavelength division component, the first wavelength division component configured for receipt of optical signals within a transmission wavelength range and a testing wavelength range that is outside of the transmission wavelength range, and separation of the optical signals onto:
- a transmission optical path carrying the transmission wavelength range and optically connected to optical distribution equipment;
- and
- a bypass optical path for carrying the testing wavelength range;
- a second optical component optically connected to the optical distribution equipment to receive the transmission wavelength range via a transmission fiber connection from the optical distribution equipment and the testing wavelength range via the bypass optical path, the second optical component recombining the received optical signals in the transmission wavelength range and the testing wavelength range onto a common downstream optical fiber.
A method of enabling optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) testing in an optical network including a primary cabinet location and a plurality of secondary cabinet locations optically connected in series, each of the plurality of secondary cabinet locations optically connected to a respective upstream optical fiber and a respective downstream optical fiber, the method comprising:
- providing, at each of the plurality of secondary cabinet locations, an optical testing coexistence module comprising:
- a first optical component optically connected to an upstream optical fiber within the optical network, the first optical component including a first wavelength division component, the first wavelength division component configured for receipt of optical signals within a transmission wavelength range and a testing wavelength range that is outside of the transmission wavelength range, and separation of the optical signals onto:
- a transmission optical path carrying the transmission wavelength range and optically connected to optical distribution equipment;
- and
- a bypass optical path carrying the testing wavelength range;
- and
- a second optical component optically connected to the optical distribution equipment to receive the transmission wavelength range via a transmission fiber connection from the optical distribution equipment and the testing wavelength range via the bypass optical path, the second optical component recombining the received optical signals in the transmission wavelength range and the testing wavelength range onto a common downstream optical fiber;
- injecting, at the primary cabinet location, a first OTDR signal onto the single fiber, or injecting, at the optical distribution equipment, a second OTDR signal onto the transmission fiber connection;
- and
- based on reflected OTDR optical signals, identifying locations within the optical network experiencing transmission loss.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.