Method and apparatus for using optical idler tones for performance monitoring in a WDM optical transmission system
First Claim
1. A test system for monitoring a WDM transmission system that employs at least one optical amplifier, comprising:
- a test signal generator generating an optical test signal;
an optical coupler combining the test signal with at least one data signal located at a given channel wavelength, said optical test signal being located at one or more channel wavelengths distinct from the given channel wavelength and corresponding to an idler channel wavelength employed to maintain a prescribed operational state of said at least one optical amplifier; and
an optical performance monitor receiving at least a portion of the optical test signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A test system is provided for monitoring a WDM transmission system that employs at least one optical amplifier. The test system includes a test signal generator generating an optical test signal and an optical coupler combining the test signal with at least one data signal located at a given channel wavelength. The optical test signal is located at one or more channel wavelengths distinct from the given channel wavelength and which corresponds to an idler channel wavelength that is employed to maintain a prescribed operational state of the optical amplifier. The test system also includes an optical performance monitor receiving at least a portion of the optical test signal.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A test system for monitoring a WDM transmission system that employs at least one optical amplifier, comprising:
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a test signal generator generating an optical test signal;
an optical coupler combining the test signal with at least one data signal located at a given channel wavelength, said optical test signal being located at one or more channel wavelengths distinct from the given channel wavelength and corresponding to an idler channel wavelength employed to maintain a prescribed operational state of said at least one optical amplifier; and
an optical performance monitor receiving at least a portion of the optical test signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for monitoring a WDM transmission system that employs at least one optical amplifier, said method comprising the steps of:
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generating an optical test signal and at least one optical data signal located at a given channel wavelength, said optical test signal being located at one or more channel wavelengths distinct from the given channel wavelength and corresponding to an idler channel wavelength employed to maintain a prescribed operational state of said at least one optical amplifier;
directing said optical test signal and said at least one optical data signal onto an optical transmission path of the WDM transmission system; and
monitoring a performance characteristic of said optical test signal. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A WDM optical transmission system, comprising:
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first and second transmitter/receiver terminals;
an optical transmission path optically coupling the first transmitter/receiver terminal to the second transmitter/receiver terminal, said optical transmission path including at least one optical amplifier;
a test system associated with the first transmitter/receiver terminal, said test system including;
a test signal generator generating an optical test signal;
an optical coupler combining the test signal with at least one data signal located at a given channel wavelength, said optical test signal being located at one or more channel wavelengths distinct from the given channel wavelength and corresponding to an idler channel wavelength employed to maintain a prescribed operational state of said at least one optical amplifier; and
an optical performance monitor receiving at least a portion of the optical test signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification