US 6,714,741 B1 · Method and apparatus for monitoring an optical WDM network

Abstract

A method and apparatus for monitoring an optical network being equipped with WDM equipment able to transmit a plurality of data channels at different wavelengths. From the said optical network a part of its optical signal power is coupled out and a specific statistical function of interest is determined which characterizes the said plurality of data channels. The parameters of said determined function of interest are processed in a predetermined mathematical model having a finite number of parameters and from said model information is derived on individual channels. Data representing the said information are produced.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method for monitoring an optical network being equipped with WDM equipment able to transmit a plurality of data channels at different wavelengths, said method comprising the steps of:

a) coupling out from the said optical network a portion of its optical power at a certain point in the optical network;
b) processing the portion of optical power resulting in a number of electrical signals;
c) analysing said number of electrical signals and deriving information on individual data channels;
and
d) producing data representing the result of step
characterised in that
step c) includes the successive substeps of
c1) determining from said number of electrical signals at least one multiple channel statistical function of interest which characterises the said plurality of data channels;
and
c2) processing the said at least one determined function of interest in a predetermined mathematical model as to derive said information on individual data channels.

7 more elements

An apparatus for monitoring an optical network being equipped with WDM equipment able to transmit a plurality of data channels at different wavelengths λ1, . . . ,λn), said apparatus comprising:

means for coupling out from the said optical network a portion of its optical power;
means for processing said portion of optical power resulting in a number of electrical signals;
means for analysing said number of electrical signals and for deriving information on individual data channels;
and
means for producing data representing the said information on the individual data channels;
characterised in that
the means of analyzing include:
means for determining from the number of electrical signals at least one multiple channel statistical function of interest which characterises the said plurality of data channels;
and
means for processing the said at least one determined function of interest in a predetermined mathematical model as to derive said information on is individual data channels.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for monitoring an optical WDM network

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for monitoring an optical WDM network

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19