Optical network testing
First Claim
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1. A method, comprising:
- generating an amplified stimulated emissions (ASE) test signal;
modulating the ASE test signal;
transmitting the test signal on an optical path, the optical path including a plurality of add-drop multiplexer devices and a plurality of amplifiers, wherein the plurality of amplifiers generate continuous wave (CW) ASE;
receiving the modulated test signal at a destination device;
converting the received test signal into an electrical signal, wherein the electrical signal includes an alternating current (AC) portion corresponding to the modulated test signal and a direct current (DC) portion corresponding to the CW ASE;
measuring the AC portion of the electrical signal and not the DC portion, wherein the measured AC portion of the electric signal corresponds to a portion of the modulated test signal that passed through each of the plurality of add-drop multiplexers, and does not include CW ASE generated by the plurality of amplifiers;
generating, based on the measured AC portion of the electrical signal and not the DC portion, an output graph representing a pass-band associated with the optical path, wherein the generating the output graph comprises;
identifying a frequency in the measured AC portion of the electrical signal having a highest amplitude,setting the frequency having the highest amplitude as a center frequency, andgenerating values relative to the highest amplitude for measured AC portions of the electrical signal other than the center frequency; and
determining, based on the output graph, a pass-band characteristic of the optical path.
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Abstract
A method includes generating a test signal and modulating the test signal. The method may also include transmitting the test signal on an optical path, where the optical path may include a number of add-drop multiplexer devices and amplifiers. The method may also include receiving the test signal at a destination device and converting the received test signal into an electrical signal. The method may further include identifying a portion of the electrical signal that is associated with the modulated test signal.
20 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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generating an amplified stimulated emissions (ASE) test signal; modulating the ASE test signal; transmitting the test signal on an optical path, the optical path including a plurality of add-drop multiplexer devices and a plurality of amplifiers, wherein the plurality of amplifiers generate continuous wave (CW) ASE; receiving the modulated test signal at a destination device; converting the received test signal into an electrical signal, wherein the electrical signal includes an alternating current (AC) portion corresponding to the modulated test signal and a direct current (DC) portion corresponding to the CW ASE; measuring the AC portion of the electrical signal and not the DC portion, wherein the measured AC portion of the electric signal corresponds to a portion of the modulated test signal that passed through each of the plurality of add-drop multiplexers, and does not include CW ASE generated by the plurality of amplifiers; generating, based on the measured AC portion of the electrical signal and not the DC portion, an output graph representing a pass-band associated with the optical path, wherein the generating the output graph comprises; identifying a frequency in the measured AC portion of the electrical signal having a highest amplitude, setting the frequency having the highest amplitude as a center frequency, and generating values relative to the highest amplitude for measured AC portions of the electrical signal other than the center frequency; and determining, based on the output graph, a pass-band characteristic of the optical path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system, comprising:
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a first test device configured to be coupled to a first node in an optical path, wherein the optical path includes a plurality of nodes and at least one amplifier, the first test device comprising; a signal source configured to generate amplified stimulated emissions (ASE) test data, and a modulator coupled to the signal source, the modulator configured to modulate the ASE test data and forward modulated ASE test data onto the optical path; and a second test device configured to be coupled to a last node in the optical path, the second test device comprising; a filter configured to filter electromagnetic radiation received at the second test device, circuitry configured to convert the filtered electromagnetic radiation into electrical signals, and logic configured to; measure an alternating current (AC) portion of the electrical signals corresponding to electromagnetic radiation associated with the modulated ASE test data that passed through the plurality of nodes in the optical path, and does not include continuous wave ASE generated by the at least one amplifier, and determine a pass-band of the optical path based on the measured AC portion, wherein when determining a pass-band, the logic is configured to; identify a frequency associated with the measured AC portion of the electrical signals having a highest amplitude, set the frequency having the highest amplitude as a center frequency, and generate values relative to the highest amplitude for measured AC portions of the electrical signals other than the center frequency. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification