Localization of faults in an optical fiber

Abstract

An optical fiber is provided with a plurality of reflecting events spatially allocated along the optical fiber for localizing possible faults in the optical fiber. Possible faults are localized by emitting a signal into the optical fiber, measuring the reflected signals, and comparing the measured reflected signals with expected signals representing the optical fiber without faults. In case that there are one or more faults in the optical fiber, the measured reflected signals in a distance behind each one of the one or more faults will show at least a different amplitude, or even disappear, with respect to the expected signals. The expected signals can be received or determined, e.g., from a previous measurement, such as an acceptance measurement, or can be calculated or otherwise received from theoretical analysis (e.g. simulation or modeling) and/or from information about the fiber (such as physical properties).

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