Testing and Measurement in Optical Networks

A method for testing an optical network comprising:

• identifying a plurality of paths between a first optical node and a second optical node of the optical network;
• identifying a plurality of signal wavelengths to be tested;
• and
• for each identified path:
• individually transmitting a plurality of signals from an add port of the first optical node to the second optical node via the identified path, each of the plurality of signals comprising one of the plurality of signal wavelengths;
• individually receiving each of the plurality of signals at an item of test equipment coupled to a drop port of the second optical node;
• and
• analyzing by the item of test equipment one or more optical parameters associated with each of the received plurality of signals.

An optical node, comprising:

• a plurality of optical input means for receiving a plurality of signals communicated in an optical network;
• a plurality of optical output means for transmitting a plurality of signals to be communicated in the optical network;
• and
• at least one of:
• an optical drop means coupled to the plurality of optical input means, the optical drop component operable to select a signal and select a portion of the signal of a particular selectable wavelength to drop to an associated item of test equipment from any one of the plurality of optical input means;
• and
• an optical add means coupled to the plurality of optical output means and operable to selectively transmit copies of a selected one or more of a plurality of optical add signals to the plurality of optical output means, wherein the plurality of optical add signals includes a signal of a particular selectable wavelength communicated to the optical add means from an associated item of test equipment, and wherein each optical output means is operable to select a signal to communicate in the optical network received from any one of the optical add means and the plurality of optical input means.