Method and system for powering up an optical network
AssigneeAlcatel-Lucent Canada Inc.
InventorsMichael Joseph McCloskey, Allen Joseph Braun, Eddie Kai Ho Ng
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for powering up an optical network is provided. The method comprises remotely and safely increasing power to optical links in the optical network while monitoring signal levels in the network to discover installation errors, incorrect equipment configuration, and faulty components. In a modification to the method, attenuations of optical attenuators and gain values of optical amplifiers are set. The methods for powering up the optical network of the embodiments of the invention apply to both new optical networks and to new optical links added to pre-existing optical networks.
Claims13
A method for powering up an optical network, comprising the steps of:
- (a) selecting an optical link between a transmitter and a receiver in the optical network, the optical link being divided into a number of sections by monitoring points located between the transmitter and the receiver;
- (b) selecting a first section of the optical link nearest to the transmitter in the optical network;
- (c) gradually increasing optical power of an optical signal provided to the selected section of the optical link from the transmitter until the optical signal is detected at the monitoring point belonging to the selected section;
- (d) verifying if the detected optical signal is being detected at a correct location according to a network specification and if the power of the detected optical signal is at the expected level according to the network specification;
- (e) selecting a next section of the optical link adjacent to the previously selected section and further away from the transmitter in the optical network;
- and
- (f) repeating the steps (c) to (e) until all sections in the optical link have been selected.
A system for powering up an optical network, comprising:
- (a) means for selecting an optical link between a transmitter and a receiver in the optical network, the optical link being divided into a number of sections by monitoring points located between the transmitter and the receiver;
- (b) means for selecting a first section of the optical link nearest to the transmitter in the optical network;
- (c) means for gradually increasing optical power of an optical signal provided to the selected section of the optical link from the transmitter until the optical signal is detected at the monitoring point belonging to the selected section;
- (d) means for verifying if the detected optical signal is being detected at a correct location according to a network specification and if the power of the detected optical signal is at the expected level according to the network specification;
- (e) means for selecting a next section of the optical link adjacent to the previously selected section and further away from the transmitter in the optical network;
- and
- (f) means for repeating the steps (c) to (e) until all sections in the optical link have been selected.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.