Optical beam splitting device and method of controlling optical beam outputs

An optical beam splitting device for dividing an input optical beam into a plurality of optical beams and outputting the plurality of optical beams through output ports assigned thereto, comprising:

• an optical sensing device for receiving a reflected light that is reflected at a fiber end face and returns through one of the output ports, and converting the reflected light into an electrical signal;
• a reflection detection controller for detecting the reflected light by examining whether the electrical signal exceeds a predetermined reference level or not, and generating a beam control signal upon detection of the reflected light;
• and
• a switch unit, responsive to the beam control signal, for terminating the optical beam for the output port through which the reflected light has returned, whereby said output port is disabled.

An optical beam splitting device for dividing an input optical beam into a plurality of optical beams and outputting the plurality of optical beams through output ports assigned thereto, comprising:

• an optical sensing device for receiving a reflected light that is reflected at a fiber end face and returns through one of the output ports, and converting the reflected light into an electrical signal;
• a reflection detection controller for detecting the reflected light by examining whether the electrical signal exceeds a predetermined reference level or not, and generating a beam control signal upon detection of the reflected light;
• and
• a variable optical attenuator, responsive to the beam control signal, for attenuating the optical beam that is supplied to the output port through which the reflected light has returned.

A method of controlling optical beams produced by an optical beam splitter that divides an input optical beam into a plurality of optical beams and outputs the plurality of optical beams through output ports assigned thereto, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) converting a reflected light into an electrical signal, wherein the reflected light is reflected at a fiber end face and returns through one of the output ports;
• (b) detecting the reflected light by examining whether the electrical signal exceeds a predetermined reference level or not;
• (c) generating beam control signals for the individual output ports upon detection of the reflected light;
• (d) in response to the beam control signals, reducing power level of the optical beam for each output port to examine whether the reflected light disappears or not;
• and
• (e) restoring the optical beam for the output port if the reflection light is alive, and maintaining the optical beam with the reduced power level if the reflected light disappeared in said step (d) of reducing the optical beam.