Apparatus and method for monitoring losses in a branched optical fibre network
First Claim
1. A method of detecting losses in a branched optical fibre network including a first optical fibre and a plurality of second optical fibres each of which is coupled to the first optical fibre, the first optical fibre constituting a main line and the second optical fibres constituting branch lines, the method comprising the steps of:
- launching a linearly-ramped FMCW optical carrier wave into the main line,modulating the carrier wave in each of the branch lines,passively returning the modulated signals along the branch lines to the main line, andmonitoring the main line for charges in the modulation of the returned signals, wherein the carrier wave is modulated differently in each of the branch lines.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus is provided for detecting losses in a branched optical fibre network comprising a first optical fibre and a plurality of second optical fibres each of which is coupled to the first optical fibre. The first optical fibre constitutes a main line, and the second optical fibres constitute branch lines. The apparatus comprises launch means for launching a carrier wave into the main line, respective modulators in each of the branch lines for modulating the carrier wave in that branch line, returns for returning the modulated signals along the branch lines to the main line, and monitors for monitoring the main line for changes in the modulation of the returned signals. The modulators are such that each modulates the carrier wave differently.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of detecting losses in a branched optical fibre network including a first optical fibre and a plurality of second optical fibres each of which is coupled to the first optical fibre, the first optical fibre constituting a main line and the second optical fibres constituting branch lines, the method comprising the steps of:
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launching a linearly-ramped FMCW optical carrier wave into the main line, modulating the carrier wave in each of the branch lines, passively returning the modulated signals along the branch lines to the main line, and monitoring the main line for charges in the modulation of the returned signals, wherein the carrier wave is modulated differently in each of the branch lines. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. Apparatus for detecting losses in a branched optical fibre network comprising a first optical fibre and a plurality of second optical fibres each of which is coupled to the first optical fibre, the first optical fibre constituting a main line and the second optical fibres constituting branch lines the apparatus comprising:
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launch means for launching a linearly-ramped FMCW optical carrier wave into the main line, respective modulation means in each of the branch lines for modulating the carrier wave in that branch line, return means for passively returning the modulated signals along the branch lines to the main line, and monitoring means for monitoring the main line for changes in the modulation of the returned signals, wherein the modulation means are such that each modulates the carrier wave differently. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification