Optical network connection test apparatus and methods
US7181138B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 20, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 14, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04J14/0212
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A way of testing a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) system without requiring connection to data source/sink equipment. A test signal is introduced onto a light path of interest in the system, and the test signal is monitored downstream for signal integrity. Lack of signal integrity is used to identify a fault in the lightpath. Alternatively, optical loopbacks may be used to localize and identify a fault in the lightpath. The lightpath includes a source optical node connected to a sink optical node via intermediate optical nodes. An optical signal introduced at the source node with a destination at the sink node may be looped back at any one of the intermediate nodes or the sink node to localize and identify a fault in the lightpath.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.