Method and apparatus of detecting an opening in an optical transmission fiber of a ROPA system
US8576481B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 3, 2010 |
| Grant date | Nov 5, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 20, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S2301/02
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Method and apparatus for detecting an opening in a transmission fiber connecting a discrete gain unit to a pump unit of a Remote Optically Pumped Amplifier (ROPA) system. The method comprises measuring an optical power entering the pump unit from the transmission fiber, the optical power being in a selected wavelength range, and establishing that the optical power lacks an ASE noise power component generated by the gain unit. The lack of this component indicates the presence of a break or opening in the transmission fiber, and triggers corrective action whereby pump lasers within the pump unit are shut down or have their power reduced to a safe level.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.