Apparatus and method for tapping optical transmissions for analysis of optical protocols
First Claim
1. An apparatus for testing optical signals in an optical communications link, said apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of optical taps for tapping the optical signal from each optical communications link;
at least one optical switch coupled to said plurality of optical taps; and
at least one optical protocol analyzer coupled to said at least one optical switch, wherein said at least one optical switch selectively connects each optical protocol analyzer to one of said plurality of optical taps.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and associated method for use in a fiber administration system that establishes optical communication links. The system includes an optical tap that is disposed in each optical fiber pathway contained within the optical communication links. The optical taps are contained within modules that can be selectively added or removed from a shelf casing that is sized to fit within the framework of the fiber administration system. An optical switch is present in each shelf casing that holds the tap modules. The optical switch is connected to each of the optical taps on its shelf and receives the tapped optical signal provided by the optical taps. An optical signal analyzer is provided within the framework of the fiber administration system. The optical signal analyzer is interconnected with the optical switches on each shelf that contains a tap module. The optical switches selectively interconnect the optical signal analyzer to any of the optical taps.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for testing optical signals in an optical communications link, said apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of optical taps for tapping the optical signal from each optical communications link; at least one optical switch coupled to said plurality of optical taps; and at least one optical protocol analyzer coupled to said at least one optical switch, wherein said at least one optical switch selectively connects each optical protocol analyzer to one of said plurality of optical taps. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A fiber administration system for establishing optical communication links, via optical fiber pathways between different locations, said system comprising:
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an optical tap disposed in each optical fiber pathway; an optical switch coupled to an optical tap in a plurality of different optical fiber pathways; an optical signal analyzer coupled to said optical switch, wherein said optical switch selectively interconnects said optical signal analyzer to an optical tap coupled to said optical switch. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A test shelf assembly for use in an optical fiber administration system, comprising:
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a plurality of tap modules, wherein each said tap module is cable of tapping a portion of at least one optical signal passing therethrough; shelf casing capable of selectively receiving and retaining said plurality of tap modules; an optical switch positioned within said shelf casing, wherein said optical switch receives the tapped portion of the optical signal produced by each of said plurality of tap modules. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A method of monitoring optical signals in a plurality of optical communications links, said method comprising the steps of:
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tapping a portion of the optical signal from each of the optical communication links; coupling the tapped portion of each optical signal to an optical switch; coupling the optical switch to an optical protocol analyzer, wherein said optical protocol analyzer receives the tapped portion of an optical signal directed to it by said optical switch. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification