Methods and systems for detecting small span loss changes in fiber optic networks
US8116625B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 4, 2009 |
| Grant date | Feb 14, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 17, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04B10/0775
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present disclosure provides methods and systems for detecting small span loss changes in fiber optic networks. The present invention utilizes existing equipment without additional hardware to provide span loss measurements in a highly accurate manner. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention utilizes power measurements associated with an optical supervisory channel (OSC) at both ends of a fiber span. These measurements are periodically sampled taking into account propagation delay along the fiber span. Further, these measurements are integrated or time-averaged to account for temporary fluctuations. The present invention can be utilized for intrusion detection (i.e., unwanted fiber taps), fiber degradation, and fiber aging performance. The present invention satisfies the criteria for a feasible (i.e., makes use of current architecture), cost-effective (i.e., does not require additional hardware), and highly accurate solution (i.e., capable of detecting span loss changes of 0.01 dB or 0.03%).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.