In-service optical time domain reflectometry utilizing raman pump source

US9494484B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• II-VI Incorporated · US

Inventors

• Aravanan Gurusami · معلمی نژاد, US
• Timothy K. Zahnley · Owego, US
• Scott Dahl · Lindley, US
• Martin R. Williams · Big Flats, US
• Ian Peter McClean · Crediton, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 25, 2015
• Grant date: Nov 15, 2016
• Expiry date: May 17, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01S3/302
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An arrangement for providing real-time, in-service OTDR measurements in an optical communication system utilizing distributed Raman amplification. One or more of the laser diodes used to provide the pump light necessary to create optical gain is modified to also generate short duration pulses that ride above or below the conventional pump light. These short duration pulses (which co-exist with the pump light within the optical fiber) are used in performing OTDR measurements, with a conventional processing system used to evaluate reflected pulses and create the actual OTDR measurements.