Method and apparatus for testing optical fiber cables
AssigneeLucent Technologies Inc.
InventorLutz Raddatz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical fiber cable is tested to determine the zero dispersion frequencies of the sections of which it is made by directing light along it, the light comprising two optical frequency components having optical frequencies that differ by a predetermined amount Δω. The frequencies of the components are swept across the operating frequency range of the cable, keeping Δω constant. At the other end of the cable, the spectrum of the light is analyzed to determine the relative powers of first order 4 WM components (satellite lines) and the frequencies at which they have principal maximum values.
Claims17
A method of testing an optical fiber cable, comprising:
- directing light along said cable from a first end to a second end thereof, said light including two optical frequency components having optical frequencies that differ by a predetermined amount Δω;
- sweeping the frequencies of the components of said light across the operating frequency range of said cable, keeping said predetermined amount Δω substantially constant;
- and
- during said sweeping, analyzing the spectrum of said light as it emerges from said second end of the cable to determine the relative powers of first order four wave mixing (4 WM) satellite lines and the frequencies at which said relative powers have principal maximum values.
A method carried out at a first end of an optical fiber cable comprising:
- directing light along said cable from said first end to a second end thereof said light including two optical frequency components having optical frequencies that differ by a predetermined amount Δω;
- and
- sweeping the frequencies of the components of said light across the operating frequency range of said cable, keeping said predetermined amount Δω substantially constant.
A method carried out at a second end of an optical fiber cable comprising:
- receiving light directed along said cable from a first end to said second end thereof said light including two optical frequency components having optical frequencies that differ by a predetermined amount Δω, the frequencies of the components of said light being swept across the operating frequency range of said cable, keeping said predetermined amount Δω substantially constant;
- and
- during said sweeping, analyzing the spectrum of said light as it emerges from said second end of the cable to determine the relative powers of first order four wave mixing (4 WM) satellite lines and the frequencies at which said relative powers have principal maximum values.
Apparatus for testing an optical fiber cable comprising:
- a light source for directing light along said cable from a first end to a second end thereof, said light consisting essentially of two optical frequency components having optical frequencies that differ by a predetermined amount Δω;
- and
- control means coupled to said light source for sweeping the frequencies of the components of said light across the operating frequency range of said cable, keeping said predetermined amount Δω substantially constant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.