Test structure for simultaneously characterizing two ports of an optical component using interferometer-based optical network analysis

A test structure that supports the characterization of an optical component comprising:

• a substrate, said substrate including;
• an input port for receiving an input signal;
• first and second test ports for optically connecting said test structure to said optical component, said first and second test ports being optically connectable to said input port such that said input signal can be supplied to said optical component through either said first test port or said second test port;
• first and second receiver ports optically connectable to first and second receivers;
• a first optical path for supplying a first optical response signal from said first test port to said first receiver port, said first optical response signal resulting from application of said input signal to said optical component;
• a second optical path for supplying a second optical response signal from said second test port to said second receiver port, said second optical response signal also resulting from application of said input signal to said optical component;
• and
• means for combining a first portion of said input signal with said first optical response signal before said first portion of said input signal and said first optical response signal reach said first receiver port and for combining a second portion of said input signal with said second optical response signal before said second portion of said input signal and said second optical response signal reach said second receiver port;
• said first receiver port being optically connected to receive said first portion of said input signal and said first optical response signal after said signals are combined and said second receiver port being optically connected to receive said second portion of said input signal and said second optical response signal after said signals are combined.

A test structure that supports the characterization of an optical component comprising:

• an input port for receiving an input signal;
• a switch optically connected to said input port;
• first and second test ports for optically connecting said test structure to said optical component, said first and second test ports being optically connectable to said switch such that said input signal can be supplied to said optical component through either said first test port or said second test port;
• a first optical path for receiving a first optical response signal from said first test port, said first optical response signal resulting from application of said input signal to said optical component;
• a second optical path for receiving a second optical response signal from said second test port, said second optical response signal also resulting from application of said input signal to said optical component;
• a first receiver coupler, connected along said first optical path, for combining a first portion of said input signal with said first optical response signal;
• and
• a second receiver coupler, connected along said second optical path, for combining a second portion of said input signal with said second optical response signal.