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Method and system for detecting optical faults within the optical domain of a fiber communication network

  • US 6,005,694 A
  • Filed: 12/28/1995
  • Issued: 12/21/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for performing testing and fault isolation of a fiber fault within an optical domain of a fiber communications network, wherein the fiber communications network includes a fiber link having at least one optical fiber for carrying optical network communication signals between a first node having a first optical cross connect switch and a second node having a second optical cross connect switch comprising the steps of:

  • introducing an optical fault detection signal along the same fiber link as the optical network communication signals, said optical fault detection signal having at least one characteristic distinguishable from the optical network communication signals, at a first location between the first optical cross connect switch and the fiber link, wherein said optical fault detection signal has a wavelength different from a wavelength of the optical network communication signals, said optical fault detection signal being separate from network communication carried on the fiber link and generated by a transmitter optically coupled to said first location;

    removing said optical fault detection signal carried along the fiber link at a second location between the fiber link and the second optical cross-connect switch with a receiver unit optically coupled to said second location, wherein said optical fault detection signal is introduced and removed entirely within the optical domain of the communications network; and

    processing said optical fault detection signal to detect and isolate the fiber fault in the fiber link.

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