High-powered optical module safety systems and methods
US8817245B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 23, 2012 |
| Grant date | Aug 26, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 9, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/302
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method, optical module, and optical amplifier are configured to detect fiber discontinuities at or near a port from which high powered optical signals are input into a fiber span. These fiber discontinuities can include fiber pinches, and are detected by monitoring for slight changes in a backscatter signal. Detection is quick and efficient based on the backscatter signal being attenuated by the fiber discontinuities twice, namely once as the high powered optical signals and again as the associated backscatter signal of the high powered optical signals returning to the port. Various remedial actions can be taken upon detecting fiber pinches at or near the port.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.