Optical channel selection and evaluation system

In an optical channel analyzing switch for selecting from among a plurality of channels, a method for switching one of said plurality of channels of data transmitted over a plurality of optical fibers to a network analyzer without disturbing data transmission on said plurality of channels, said method comprising the steps of:

• for each of said plurality of channels of data, splitting an input optical signal into a pass-through optical signal and an analyzable output optical signal;
• for each of said plurality of analyzable output optical signals, converting said analyzable output optical signal into an analyzable electrical signal;
• multiplexing said plurality of analyzable electrical signals to select one of said analyzable electrical signals as a multiplexor output;
• retiming said one of said analyzable electrical signals to generate a retimed data signal;
• converting said retimed data signal such that said retimed data signal approximates said input optical signal and complies with input signal requirements of a network analyzer to which the retimed data signal is to be transmitted;
• operably coupling in a cascade arrangement said retimed data signal with a second optical channel analyzing switch having a second plurality of channels;
• and
• multiplexing a channel from among said first plurality of channels and said second plurality of channels for coupling with said network analyzer.

A network evaluation system, comprising:

• a network analyzer;
• and
• an optical channel analyzing switch for transmitting a retimed data signal corresponding to any of a first plurality of channels to the network analyzer so as to enable the network analyzer to analyze the retimed data signal, said optical channel analyzing switch including:
• an optical coupler for each of said first plurality of channels to receive an input optical signal and generate a pass-through output optical signal and an analyzable output optical signal;
• a receiver for each of said first plurality of channels coupled to receive said analyzable output optical signal and to convert said analyzable output optical signal into an analyzable electrical signal;
• a multiplexor coupled at a plurality of multiplexor inputs to each of said analyzable electrical signals, said multiplexor to select a multiplexor output from one of said analyzable electrical signals;
• a retimer coupled at said multiplexor output for generating a retimed data signal from said one of said analyzable electrical signals;
• and
• a transmitter for converting said retimed data signal such that said retimed data signal approximates said input optical signal and complies with input signal requirements of the network analyzer;
• wherein said transmitter of said optical channel analyzing switch further comprises a cascade port coupled to said retimed data signal for coupling to a second optical channel analyzing switch having a second plurality of channels, said optical channel analyzing switch capable of multiplexing a channel from among said first plurality of channels and said second plurality of channels for coupling with said network analyzer.

An optical channel analyzing system for selecting an optical input signal from among a plurality of optical input signals carried by a plurality of optical channels, comprising:

• a first optical channel analyzing switch including:
• a plurality of optical couplers, each being associated with a particular one of the plurality of optical channels, wherein each optical coupler is capable splitting an optical input signal carried by the associated optical channel so as to not interfere with network traffic of the optical channel;
• a retimer that receives an analyzable electrical signal derived from one of the optical signals, wherein the retimer recovers a clock signal and a data signal from the optical signal, such that a retimed electrical signal with reduced noise can be generated;
• a transmitter for converting the retimed electrical signal into a retimed optical analyzable output signal that approximates said one of the optical input signals and that can be transmitted to a network analyzer;
• a second optical channel analyzing switch connected with said first optical channel analyzing switch, wherein the retimed electrical signal has noise that is sufficiently reduced such that either the first or second optical channel analyzing switch can be used to process the optical input signals split by the optical couplers of the first optical channel analyzing switch;
• and
• a third optical channel analyzing switch connected with said second optical channel analyzing switch, wherein the retimed electrical signal has noise that is sufficiently reduced such that either the first, second or third optical channel analyzing switch can be used to process the optical input signals split by the optical couplers of the first optical channel analyzing switch.