Optical test device and systems

• US 9,673,896 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2016
• Issued: 06/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Level 3 Communications LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Level 3 Communications LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Storey, Jeffrey K., Dugan, Andrew, Ratterree, Gary, Paredes, Salvador, Waters, John F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Hanh
• Application Number:
  US15/263,169
• Publication Number:
  US 20160380695A1
• Time in Patent Office: 267 Days
• Field of Search: 398 16, 398 12, 398 33, 398 38, 398177, 398181, 398 31, 398 32, 398 34, 398 30, 398 17, 398 25, 398 26, 398 27, 398 28, 398 29, 398 3, 398 5, 398 19, 398 18, 398158, 398 20, 398180, 398 79, 356 731
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/29361 Interference filters, e.g. multilayer coatings, thin film filters, dichroic splitters or mirrors based on multilayers, WDM filters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/035 using loopbacks
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/0773 Network aspects, e.g. central monitoring of transmission parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/0791 Fault location on the transmission path
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 14/02 Wavelength-division multiplex systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0062 Network aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0066 Provisions for optical burst or packet networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2011/0081 Fault tolerance; Redundancy; Recovery; Reconfigurability
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2011/0083 Testing; Monitoring

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for monitoring optical communications between a managed location and a remote location. In particular, an optical signal is transmitted over an optical fiber and passed-through a test device. A portion of the optical signal is filtered from the original optical signal and passed to a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit may instruct one or more switches in the test device to loop the optical signal back toward the managed location. Subsequently, testing and monitoring may be performed at the managed location. The device may provide a test output or may transmit the information to the managed location.

Claims

1. An optical system comprising:

an optical test device including a first optical filter coupled with a first optical fiber, the first optical fiber carrying a test signal on at least one wavelength carried by the first optical fiber, the first optical filter configured to allow the test signal to pass from the first optical fiber to a second optical filter of the optical test device, the second optical filter configured to place the test signal on a second optical fiber, and wherein the optical test device further comprises a monitor configured to receive the test signal from the first optical filter, the monitor configured to determine at least one characteristic of the first optical fiber; and

a network device coupled with the second optical fiber, the network device including a third filter configured to receive the test signal if it is present on the second optical fiber and wherein the monitor is configured to transmit at least one data packet to the network device on the at least one wavelength used for the test signal, the data packet representing the at least one characteristic of the first optical fiber.

2. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the network device includes a second monitor configured to receive the at least one data packet.

3. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the network device further comprises a switch coupled with a plurality of return fibers including the second optical fiber, each of the return fibers carrying a respective test signal on a respective wavelength, the switch configured to select one of the respective test signals from the respective wavelength and provide the test signal to a probe configured to determine at least one characteristic of the selected return fiber.