Optical time domain reflectometer for measurements in optical networks with currently applied traffic signals

US6141089A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Hewlett-Packard Company, L.P. · US

Inventors

• Peter Thoma · Mannheim, DE
• Peter Hoffmann · Korschenbroich, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 26, 1997
• Grant date: Oct 31, 2000
• Expiry date: Nov 26, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/32
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

In an optical time domain reflectometer for the measurement in optical networks with currently applied traffic signals a switchable filter device Is positioned before a detector unit for the measurement of the reflected optical signals caused by an optical measurement section. The filter device includes an optical path into which one or more optical filters can be inserted reversibly, e.g. by an actuator. Communication signals present on the measurement section are attenuated by the filter(s) and the detector unit is able to detect the reflected signals undisturbed by the communication signals.