Optical fiber distribution frame with fiber testing

• US 5,461,693 A
• Filed: 07/14/1994
• Issued: 10/24/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fitel USA Corporation
• Original Assignee: AT&T IPM Corp. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Pimpinella, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Healy, Brian
• Application Number:
  US08/275,068
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 385/134, 385/135, 385/14, 385/15, 385/24, 385/31, 385/39, 359/115, 359/114, 359/127, 359/143, 359/173
• US Class Current: 385/135
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44526 Panels or rackmounts covering a whole width of the frame or rack
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44528 Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box routing arrangements H04Q1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/136 having patch field management or physical layer management arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/14 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/20 Testing circuits or apparatus; Circuits or apparatus for detecting, indicating, or signalling faults or troubles
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/02 Details of frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/804 in optical transmission systems

Abstract

Disclosed is an optical fiber distribution frame which provides means for testing the patch connections. Optoelectronic circuits are inserted into each module and are optically connected to the incoming optical fiber cable. The circuit includes a light source for launching a test signal into the patch fiber, a detector for monitoring a test signal from the patch fiber, and a microprocessor for controlling the launching and for monitoring the received signals.

Claims

1. An optical fiber distribution frame comprising:

a plurality of shelves;

and a plurality of modules mounted within the shelves for optically connecting optical fibers from a cable to optical fiber jumper cables, at least one of said modules including means for receiving an information signal of a first wavelength and for launching the information signal through an optical fiber jumper cable to another module connected thereto, and means for launching a test signal of a second wavelength through the same jumper cable to said another module connected thereto, said another module including means for receiving and monitoring the test signal launched by said one module.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein both modules include both means for launching and means for receiving a test signal through the jumper cable.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for electrically connecting each module to a computer with a data base of which modules should be connected by a jumper cable, and means for signaling the computer that a test is being made with the module to which it is connected.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for launching a second test signal through an optical fiber in the cable and for receiving and monitoring the reflection of said signal.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said means for launching and receiving comprises a wavelength division multiplexer.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising means for coupling each module to a source of the second test signal which is outside the frame.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for launching the test signal comprises a CD laser.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for launching the test signal comprises a light emitting device optically coupled to one port of an optical tap, another port of said tap being optically connected to the jumper cable.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for receiving and monitoring comprises a photodetector with a microprocessor electrically coupled thereto.

10. A module for optically connecting optical fibers in a cable to optical fibers in a jumper cable comprising:

at least one jack adapted for optical connection to the jumper cable;

means for coupling an information signal of a first wavelength into the jumper cable;

means including a light emitting device optically coupled to said jack for launching a test signal of a second wavelength into the jumper cable; and

a microprocessor electrically connected to said device for controlling the launching of the test signal.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the light emitting device is a CD laser.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the means further comprises an optical tap, the light emitting device being optically coupled to one port of the tap, another port of said tap being optically connected to said jack.

13. Apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a photodetector optically coupled to another jack adapted for optical connection to the jumper cable.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the photodetector is coupled to said another jack through a wavelength division multiplexer.

15. Apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising means for launching a second test signal through at least one optical fiber in the cable and for detecting reflections of said second test signal.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the means for launching the second test signal comprises a wavelength division multiplexer.