Connection Loss Scheme for Fiber Connections in Optical Communication System

• US 20110123190A1
• Filed: 11/23/2009
• Published: 05/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Peterson, Danny, Xia, Tiejun J., Wellbrock, Glenn A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,594,500 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 398/25
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/0731 Testing or characterisation of optical devices, e.g. amplifiers

Abstract

A method includes outputting an optical signal from an optical transmitter; causing the optical signal to propagate through equipment of an optical communication site and to loop back to an optical receiver; measuring optical powers, respectively, based on taps proximate to the optical transmitter and the optical receiver; calculating an optical power loss based on the optical powers measured; determining whether the optical power loss is an acceptable value; and indicating when the optical power loss is not the acceptable value.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

outputting an optical signal from an optical transmitter;

causing the optical signal to propagate through equipment of an optical communication site and to loop back to an optical receiver;

measuring optical powers, respectively, based on taps positioned proximate to the optical transmitter and the optical receiver;

calculating an optical power loss based on the optical powers measured;

determining whether the optical power loss is an acceptable value; and

indicating when the optical power loss is not the acceptable value.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the optical transmitter and the optical receiver are connectable to an outside plant fiber.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the causing comprises:

looping back the optical signal to the optical receiver based on a fiber switch proximate to an outside plant fiber.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining the optical power loss based a difference between the optical powers measured.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining comprises:

comparing the optical power loss to an optical power loss threshold value or a range of optical power loss values.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

indicating when the optical power loss is the acceptable value.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

receiving, by a fiber switch, a user input to permit optical transmission to an outside plant fiber, when the optical power loss is the acceptable value.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

receiving, by a Raman pump, a user input to turn on the Raman pump, when the optical power loss is the acceptable value.

9. A device comprising:

an optical transmitter to transmit an optical signal;

an optical receiver to receive the optical signal;

a first fiber tap proximate to the optical transmitter;

a second fiber tap proximate to the optical receiver; and

a photodetector coupled to the first fiber tap and the second fiber tap, wherein the photodetector is configured to;

measure a first optical power at the first fiber tap;

measure a second optical power at the second fiber tap; and

determine an optical power loss based on the first optical power and the second optical power.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the photodetector comprises one or more photodiodes.

11. The device of claim 9, further comprising:

a Raman pump.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the photodetector is further configured to:

compare the optical power loss to an optical power loss threshold value or a range of optical power loss values; and

determine whether the optical power loss is an acceptable value based on the comparing.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the photodetector is further configured to:

indicate whether the optical power loss is the acceptable value or is not the acceptable value.

14. An optical fiber network system comprising:

an optical transmitter to transmit an optical signal;

an optical receive to receive the optical signal;

a first fiber tap proximate to the optical transmitter;

a second fiber tap proximate to the optical receiver; and

a photodetector coupled to the first fiber tap and the second fiber tap, wherein the photodetector is configured to;

measure a first optical power at the first fiber tap;

measure a second optical power at the second fiber tap; and

determine an optical power loss based on the first optical power and the second optical power; and

a fiber switch to cause the optical signal to loop from the optical transmitter to the optical receiver.

15. The optical fiber network system of claim 14, wherein the optical fiber network system includes a central office.

16. The optical fiber network system of claim 15, wherein the fiber switch is proximate to outside plant fibers.

17. The optical fiber network system of claim 15, further comprising:

intermediate fiber panels coupled to the optical transmitter and the optical receiver.

18. The optical fiber network system of claim 15, further comprising:

a Raman pump.

19. The optical fiber network system of claim 15, wherein the photodetector is further configured to:

compare the optical power loss to an optical power loss threshold value or a range of optical power loss values; and

determine whether the optical power loss is an acceptable value based on the comparing.

20. The optical fiber network system of claim 19, wherein the photodetector is further configured to:

indicate whether the optical power loss is the acceptable value or is not the acceptable value.