Wavelength multiplexer, and method and program for identifying failed portion

A method for identifying a failed portion executed by a module inspection unit included in a split-and-select module included in a wavelength multiplexer, the split-and-select module being connected with a plurality of systems of optical fiber lines and optical transponders and inputting and outputting an optical signal to and from the optical fiber lines and the optical transponders,

• the split-and-select module comprising:
• a local optical loopback circuit that loops back and outputs an optical signal input from any of the optical transponders to the side of the optical transponders;
• first optical switches that output the optical signal received from the optical fiber lines to at least one of the optical transponders selected by an external switching operation simultaneously with outputting the optical signal looped back by the local optical loopback circuit to at least one of the optical transponders being not selected;
• second optical switches that selectively output the optical signal received from the optical transponder selected from the optical transponders to one system of the optical fiber lines or the local optical loopback circuit by an external switching operation;
• and the module inspection unit that operates in accordance with an external operational instruction, the method comprising:
• controlling switching of the first optical switches so as to output the optical signal looped back by the local optical loopback circuit to the optical transponder;
• at the same time, controlling switching of the second optical switches so as to output the optical signal received from the optical transponder to the local optical loopback circuit;
• and
• then causing the optical transponder to operate and emit the optical signal and determining whether the optical transponder has received the optical signal looped back by the local optical loopback circuit.

A wavelength multiplexer connected with and provided between a plurality of systems or a single system of optical fiber lines and a plurality of systems or a single system of optical transponders, and inputting and outputting an optical signal to and from the optical fiber lines and the optical transponders, the wavelength multiplexer comprising:

• first optical switching means for outputting an optical signal input from the optical fiber lines to the optical transponders;
• second optical switching means for outputting an optical signal input from the optical transponders to the optical fiber lines;
• and
• local optical loopback means for looping back and outputting an optical signal input from any of the optical transponders to the side of that optical transponder,
• wherein the first optical switching means has a function of outputting the optical signal received from the optical fiber lines to at least one of the optical transponders selected by an external switching operation simultaneously with outputting the optical signal looped back by the local optical loopback circuit to at least one of the optical transponders being not selected, and
• the second optical switch has a function of selectively outputting the optical signal received from the optical transponder selected from the optical transponders to one system of the optical fiber lines or the local optical loopback circuit by an external switching operation.