Passive optical network monitoring method and passive optical network

Abstract

This invention relates to a method for monitoring at least one section (50) of an optical fiber link (15,16), preferably a distribution section behind a passive distribution node (10-13), of a passive Optical Network, and a passive Optical Network being designed to perform the steps of the method. The method is comprising the steps of:—sending a first optical monitoring signal (40) through said section at a first signal sending time by sending means (81,34) of a first transceiver device (30,1-9) of the passive Optical Network,—sending at least a second optical monitoring signal (41-45) through said section at a second signal sending time by sending means (81,34) of a second transceiver device (30,1-9) of the passive Optical Network, wherein the sending times of said optical monitoring signals (40-45), preferably Optical Time Domain Reflectometry Signals, are coordinated in such a way that the optical monitoring signals (40-45) are superimposed while travelling through said section, building a measuring signal (52), and—detecting and analysing characteristics of at least parts of said measuring signal (52) preferably by at least one of the optical monitoring signal sending transceiver devices (1-9).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.