Optical transmission amplification device and method

Abstract

The present application relates to an optical transmission amplification device and method, the device comprising: a first coupler and a first optical circulator connected in sequence on an uplink optical path, the first coupler being connected to the first port of the first optical circulator, and a first optical amplification unit being connected between the second port and the third port of the first optical circulator; a second coupler and a second optical circulator connected in sequence on a downlink optical path, the second coupler being connected to the first port of the second optical circulator, and a second optical amplification unit being connected between the second port and the third port of the second optical circulator; and an optical filter connected between the first coupler and the second coupler, for transmitting a first reverse detection signal light output by the first coupler to the second coupler, and transmitting a second reverse detection signal light output by the second coupler to the first coupler. The present application further simplifies the structure, removes the coupler at the output end, reduces the loss at the output end, and thus improves the output performance and the reliability of the overall optical path.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of submarine optical cable signal transmission, and in particular to an optical transmission amplification device and method. Background Art

[0002] With the widespread adoption of the internet and the demand for internet-based sharing and interconnection, data traffic between islands, countries, and continents continues to grow. Submarine optical communication systems, the primary means of cross-sea and transoceanic communications, are experiencing rapid growth. Due to the large data capacity of submarine communication systems, failures can result in significant losses for customers. This places higher demands on the construction and design of submarine optical communication systems.

[0003] The design of submarine repeaters, a crucial component of submarine communication systems, has long been a core technology for equipment and system manufacturers. Repeaters are required to possess high reliability and robust fault detection capabilities. Existing technology uses shore-based line monitoring equipment (LME) to transmit a test signal into the submarine system and then receive the return signal to monitor the repeater's operating status and locate faults.

[0004] In related technology, Figure 1 shows a submarine cable system structure. Each repeater uses two optical amplifier units to amplify the upstream and downstream signal light, respectively. To monitor the repeater's status, both the upstream service light and the test signal light (LME signal light) must be transmitted together. After the test signal light is amplified by the upstream optical amplifier unit, a portion of the test signal light is coupled out through a coupler and input into a coupler on the downstream optical path. This portion of the test signal light is looped back into the downstream optical fiber via the OI (Out-In). This test signal light then returns to the Line Detection Equipment (LME) via the downstream optical path. The LME detects the outgoing test signal light and the looped-back test signal light to determine the current operating status of the upstream optical path, whether a fault exists, and the fault location. Similarly, the status of the downstream optical path can be monitored.

[0005] Figure 1 shows a typical repeater structure, which includes two optical amplifier units (OAUs), one pump unit, four couplers, and four isolators. The two OAUs amplify the signal light in the upstream and downstream optical paths, respectively; the pump unit provides pump energy to the two OAUs; the four couplers implement OI loopback for the detection signal light in the upstream and downstream optical paths, providing a serial optical path; and the four isolators enable unidirectional transmission in the upstream and downstream optical paths, avoiding interference from reflected light and improving device stability.

[0006] However, during the study of the prior art, the inventors found that the prior art had the following problems:

[0007] 1. In order to achieve unidirectional transmission of the optical path, the optical repeater of the existing technology uses four isolators, which is not conducive to reducing costs. The excessive number of optical components is also not conducive to improving the reliability of the overall product.

[0008] 2. In order to ensure that the detection signal light can pass between the upstream and downstream optical paths, the optical repeater in the existing technology uses couplers before and after the amplification unit. The use of a coupler at the input end of the amplification unit will introduce insertion loss at the input end, which will cause the noise figure of the repeater to deteriorate, thereby causing the optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) of the service light to decrease. The use of a coupler at the output end of the amplification unit will introduce insertion loss at the output end, reducing the output optical power. Therefore, to achieve the same output optical power, this structure requires higher pump energy.

[0009] 3. The existing technical solutions use a large number of optical devices, which is not conducive to improving reliability and reducing costs. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The embodiments of the present application provide an optical transmission amplification device and method to solve the problems in the related art such as the complex structure of the optical repeater, which is not conducive to reducing costs, and the excessive number of optical components, which is not conducive to improving the overall product reliability.

[0011] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present application, there is provided an optical transmission amplification device, the device comprising:

[0012] an uplink optical path, wherein a first coupler and a first optical circulator are sequentially connected to the uplink optical path, the first coupler is connected to a first port of the first optical circulator, and a first optical amplification unit is connected between the second port and the third port of the first optical circulator;

[0013] a downlink optical path, wherein a second coupler and a second optical circulator are sequentially connected to the downlink optical path, the second coupler is connected to the first port of the second optical circulator, and a second optical amplification unit is connected between the second port and the third port of the second optical circulator;

[0014] An optical filter is connected between the first coupler and the second coupler, and is used to transmit the first reverse detection signal output by the first coupler to the second coupler, and to transmit the second reverse detection signal output by the second coupler to the first coupler.

[0015] In some embodiments: the first optical amplification unit includes a third coupler, a first gain medium, a first optical equalizer, and a second gain medium connected in sequence;

[0016] The inlet end of the third coupler is connected to the second port of the first optical circulator, and the inlet end of the third coupler is also connected to the first pump laser.

[0017] In some embodiments: the second optical amplification unit includes a fourth coupler, a third gain medium, a second optical equalizer, and a fourth gain medium connected in sequence;

[0018] The inlet end of the fourth coupler is connected to the second port of the second optical circulator, and the inlet end of the fourth coupler is also connected to the second pump laser.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first optical circulator is provided with four ports, and the first backscattered light input to the fourth port of the first optical circulator is output from the first port of the first optical circulator.

[0020] In some embodiments, the second optical circulator is provided with four ports, and the second backscattered light input to the fourth port of the second optical circulator is output from the first port of the second optical circulator.

[0021] In some embodiments, the uplink optical path and the downlink optical path are both submarine optical cables.

[0022] A second aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides an optical transmission amplification method, which uses the optical transmission amplification device described in any of the above embodiments, and includes:

[0023] Using an optical filter to transmit the first reverse detection signal light outputted from the first coupler to the second coupler, and to transmit the second reverse detection signal light outputted from the second coupler to the first coupler;

[0024] Using a first coupler, the first signal light of the uplink optical path and the second reverse detection signal light output from the optical filter are combined and output to the first port of the first optical circulator;

[0025] Outputting the signal light input from the first port of the first optical circulator from the second port, and outputting the signal light input from the third port of the first optical circulator from the fourth port;

[0026] amplifying the signal light output from the second port of the first optical circulator by using the first optical amplifying unit, and inputting the amplified signal light into the third port of the first optical circulator;

[0027] Using a second coupler, the second signal light of the downlink optical path and the first reverse detection signal light output from the optical filter are combined and output to the first port of the second optical circulator;

[0028] Outputting the signal light input from the first port of the second optical circulator from the second port, and outputting the signal light input from the third port of the second optical circulator from the fourth port;

[0029] The signal light output from the second port of the second optical circulator is amplified by the second optical amplifying unit, and the amplified signal light is input to the third port of the second optical circulator.

[0030] In some embodiments: the first signal light includes a first service signal light and a first detection signal light, and the second signal light includes a second service signal light and a second detection signal light;

[0031] The first reverse detection signal light is formed by the first detection signal light being backscattered in the uplink optical path;

[0032] The second reverse detection signal light is formed by the second detection signal light being backscattered in the downlink optical path.

[0033] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0034] The pump light output by the first pump laser is combined with the first signal light and the second reverse detection signal light through the third coupler and output to the first gain medium;

[0035] After amplification by the first gain medium, the pump light is transmitted through the first optical equalizer to the second gain medium;

[0036] The first signal light and the second reverse detection signal light amplified by the first gain medium are spectrally adjusted and outputted by the first optical equalizer;

[0037] The second gain medium amplifies the signal output from the first optical equalizer and then inputs the amplified signal to the third port of the first optical circulator.

[0038] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0039] The pump light output by the second pump laser is combined with the second signal light and the first reverse detection signal light through the fourth coupler and output to the third gain medium;

[0040] After amplification by the third gain medium, the pump light is transmitted through the second optical equalizer to the fourth gain medium;

[0041] The second signal light and the first reverse detection signal light amplified by the third gain medium are spectrally adjusted and outputted by the second optical equalizer;

[0042] The fourth gain medium amplifies the signal output from the second optical equalizer and then inputs the amplified signal into the third port of the second optical circulator.

[0043] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided by this application include:

[0044] An embodiment of the present application provides an optical transmission amplification device and method. The optical transmission amplification device is provided with an uplink optical path, wherein a first coupler and a first optical circulator are sequentially connected on the uplink optical path, the first coupler is connected to the first port of the first optical circulator, and a first optical amplification unit is connected between the second port and the third port of the first optical circulator; a downlink optical path, wherein a second coupler and a second optical circulator are sequentially connected on the downlink optical path, the second coupler is connected to the first port of the second optical circulator, and a second optical amplification unit is connected between the second port and the third port of the second optical circulator; and an optical filter is connected between the first coupler and the second coupler, and is used to transmit a first reverse detection signal optically output by the first coupler to the second coupler, and to transmit a second reverse detection signal optically output by the second coupler to the first coupler.

[0045] Therefore, the optical transmission amplification device of the present application is provided with a first optical circulator on the uplink optical path, and the first optical circulator transmits the first signal light on the uplink optical path in one direction; and a second optical circulator is provided on the downlink optical path, and the second optical circulator transmits the second signal light on the downlink optical path in one direction. The optical filter transmits the first reverse detection signal light output by the first coupler to the second coupler, so as to realize the monitoring signal of the uplink optical path is connected to the downlink optical path, and amplifies and outputs it together with the business signal of the downlink optical path. The optical filter also transmits the second reverse detection signal light output by the second coupler to the first coupler, so as to realize the detection signal light of the downlink optical path is connected to the uplink optical path, and amplifies and outputs it together with the business signal of the uplink optical path. The structure of the present application is further simplified, the coupler at the output end is removed, and the loss at the output end is reduced, so that the output performance is better and the reliability of the overall optical path is higher. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0047] Figure 1 A structural diagram of a submarine optical cable system in the background technology;

[0048] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of an optical transmission amplification device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of an optical transmission amplification device according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of two sets of optical transmission amplification devices connected in series in this application.

[0051] Reference numerals:

[0052] 301, first coupler; 302, first optical circulator; 303, first optical amplifying unit; 304, second coupler; 305, second optical circulator; 306, second optical amplifying unit; 307, optical filter;

[0053] 3031, third coupler; 3032, first gain medium; 3033, first optical equalizer; 3034, second gain medium; 3035, first pump laser; 3061, fourth coupler; 3062, third gain medium; 3063, second optical equalizer; 3064, fourth gain medium; 3065, second pump laser. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0055] The embodiments of the present application provide an optical transmission amplification device and method, which can solve the problems in the related art such as the complex structure of the optical repeater, which is not conducive to reducing costs, and the excessive number of optical components, which is not conducive to improving the overall product reliability.

[0056] See also Figure 2 As shown, a first aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides an optical transmission amplification device, the device comprising:

[0057] The uplink optical path is sequentially connected to a first coupler 301 and a first optical circulator 302. The first coupler 301 is connected to the first port of the first optical circulator 302. The first coupler 301 is configured to combine the first signal light of the uplink optical path and the second reverse detection signal light output from the optical filter 307 and output the combined signal to the first port of the first optical circulator 302.

[0058] A first optical amplifying unit 303 is connected between the second port and the third port of the first optical circulator 302; the first optical circulator 302 is used to output the signal light input from the first port of the first optical circulator 302 from the second port, and to output the signal light input from the third port of the first optical circulator 302 from the fourth port.

[0059] A second coupler 304 and a second optical circulator 305 are sequentially connected on the downstream optical path. The second coupler 304 is connected to the first port of the second optical circulator 305. The second coupler 304 is configured to combine the second signal light of the downstream optical path and the first reverse detection signal light output from the optical filter 307 and output the combined signal to the first port of the second optical circulator 305.

[0060] A second optical amplifying unit 306 is connected between the second port and the third port of the second optical circulator 305; the second optical circulator 305 is used to output the signal light input from the first port of the second optical circulator 305 from the second port, and output the signal light input from the third port of the second optical circulator 305 from the fourth port.

[0061] The optical filter 307 is connected between the first coupler 301 and the second coupler 304 and is used to transmit the first reverse detection signal output by the first coupler 301 to the second coupler 304 and transmit the second reverse detection signal output by the second coupler 304 to the first coupler 301.

[0062] The optical transmission amplifying device of the embodiment of the present application is provided with a first optical circulator 302 on the uplink optical path, and the first optical circulator 302 transmits the first signal light on the uplink optical path in a unidirectional manner; and a second optical circulator 305 is provided on the downlink optical path, and the second optical circulator 305 transmits the second signal light on the downlink optical path in a unidirectional manner.

[0063] The optical filter 307 transmits the first reverse detection signal output by the first coupler 301 to the second coupler 304 to transmit the monitoring signal of the upstream optical path to the downstream optical path, and amplifies and outputs it together with the service signal of the downstream optical path through the second optical amplifier unit 306.

[0064] The optical filter 307 also transmits the second reverse detection signal light output by the second coupler 304 to the first coupler 301, so that the detection signal light of the downstream optical path is connected to the upstream optical path, and is amplified and output together with the service signal of the upstream optical path through the first optical amplifier unit 303.

[0065] The present invention further simplifies the structure, achieving a simpler design and using fewer optical components. By introducing the first optical circulator 302 and the second optical circulator 305, the optical components for a fiber pair are reduced from 12 components (four isolators, four couplers, two filters, and two amplifiers) to two optical circulators, two couplers, one filter, and two amplifiers. This reduces the total number of components to seven, reducing the number of optical components per fiber pair by approximately five.

[0066] This application eliminates the output coupler, reducing output losses and achieving better output performance. By using fewer optical components, more fiber pairs can be placed within the same cavity volume, enabling greater transmission capacity. The reduction in optical components increases the reliability of the overall optical path and reduces the risk of component failure.

[0067] In some alternative embodiments: See Figure 3 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides an optical transmission amplification device, wherein a first optical amplification unit 303 of the device includes a third coupler 3031, a first gain medium 3032, a first optical equalizer 3033, and a second gain medium 3034, which are connected in sequence. The inlet end of the third coupler 3031 is connected to the second port of the first optical circulator 302, and the inlet end of the third coupler 3031 is also connected to a first pump laser 3035.

[0068] In the embodiment of the present application, the pump light output by the first pump laser 3035 is combined with the first signal light and the second reverse detection signal light through the third coupler 3031 and output to the first gain medium 3032. After being amplified by the first gain medium 3032, the pump light is transmitted through the first optical equalizer 3033 and output to the second gain medium 3034.

[0069] The first signal light and the second reverse detection signal light amplified by the first gain medium 3032 are spectrally adjusted and output through the first optical equalizer 3033; the second gain medium 3034 amplifies the signal output from the first optical equalizer 3033 and inputs it to the third port of the first optical circulator 302.

[0070] In some alternative embodiments: See Figure 3 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides an optical transmission amplification device, wherein the second optical amplification unit 306 of the device includes a fourth coupler 3061, a third gain medium 3062, a second optical equalizer 3063, and a fourth gain medium 3064 connected in sequence. The inlet end of the fourth coupler 3061 is connected to the second port of the second optical circulator 305, and the inlet end of the fourth coupler 3061 is also connected to a second pump laser 3065.

[0071] The pump light output by the second pump laser 3065 of the present embodiment is combined with the second signal light and the first reverse detection signal light through the fourth coupler 3061 and output to the third gain medium 3062. After being amplified by the third gain medium 3062, the pump light is transmitted through the second optical equalizer 3063 and output to the fourth gain medium 3064.

[0072] The second signal light and the first reverse detection signal light amplified by the third gain medium 3062 are spectrally adjusted and outputted by the second optical equalizer 3063; the fourth gain medium 3064 amplifies the signal outputted from the second optical equalizer 3063 and inputs it into the third port of the second optical circulator 305.

[0073] In some alternative embodiments: See Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides an optical transmission amplification device, in which the first optical circulator 302 is provided with four ports, and the first backscattered light input to the fourth port of the first optical circulator 302 is output from the first port of the first optical circulator 302 to the first coupler 301.

[0074] The first coupler 301 is connected to the first port of the first optical circulator 302 and the optical filter 307 , and is configured to receive the first backscattered light output from the first port of the first optical circulator 302 and couple it to the optical filter 307 .

[0075] The optical filter 307 is connected to the first coupler 301 and the second coupler 304 and is configured to transmit the first reverse detection signal light of the first backscattered light output by the first coupler 301 to the second coupler 304 and filter out the first service signal light of the first signal light.

[0076] The second coupler 304 is connected to the first port of the second optical circulator 305 and the optical filter 307 , and is used to multiplex the first reverse detection signal light outputted from the optical filter 307 with the second signal light and transmit the multiplexed signals to the first port of the second optical circulator 305 .

[0077] The second optical circulator 305 has four ports and is connected to the second coupler 304 and the second optical amplifier unit 306 . The second optical circulator 305 outputs a signal input from the first port of the second optical circulator 305 from the second port of the second optical circulator 305 and transmits the signal to the second optical amplifier unit 306 .

[0078] The second optical amplifying unit 306 is connected to the second port of the second optical circulator 305 and is used to amplify the signal output from the second port of the second optical circulator 305, and transmit the amplified signal to the third port of the second optical circulator 305, and finally output it from the fourth port of the second optical circulator 305.

[0079] Through the above process, the monitoring signal of the upstream optical path is connected to the downstream optical path and amplified and output together with the downstream business signal.

[0080] In some alternative embodiments: See Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides an optical transmission amplification device, in which the second optical circulator 305 is provided with four ports, and the second backscattered light input to the fourth port of the second optical circulator 305 is output from the first port of the second optical circulator 305 to the second coupler 304.

[0081] The second coupler 304 is connected to the first port of the second optical circulator 305 and the optical filter 307 , and is configured to receive the second backscattered light output from the first port of the second optical circulator 305 and couple it to the optical filter 307 .

[0082] The optical filter 307 is connected to the first coupler 301 and the second coupler 304 and is configured to transmit the second reverse detection signal light in the second backscattered light output by the second coupler 304 to the first coupler 301 and filter out the second service signal light of the second signal light.

[0083] The first coupler 301 is connected to the first port of the first optical circulator 302 and the optical filter 307 , and is used to multiplex the second reverse detection signal light output from the optical filter 307 with the first signal light and transmit them to the first port of the first optical circulator 302 .

[0084] The first optical circulator 302 has four ports and is connected to the first coupler 301 and the first optical amplifier 303 . The first optical circulator 302 outputs a signal input from the first port of the first optical circulator 302 through the second port of the first optical circulator 302 and transmits the signal to the first optical amplifier 303 .

[0085] The first optical amplifying unit 303 is connected to the second port of the first optical circulator 302 and is configured to amplify the signal output from the second port of the first optical circulator 302 and transmit the amplified signal to the third port of the first optical circulator 302 and finally output the signal from the fourth port of the first optical circulator 302.

[0086] Through the above process, the monitoring signal of the downstream optical path is connected to the upstream optical path and amplified and output together with the upstream service signal.

[0087] In some embodiments: See Figure 3 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides an optical transmission amplification device, wherein the uplink optical path and the downlink optical path of the device are both submarine optical cables, and the submarine optical cable connects two adjacent groups of optical transmission amplification devices. The laying length of the submarine optical cable between the two groups of optical transmission amplification devices is 80 km to 120 km.

[0088] See also Figure 2 As shown, a second aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides an optical transmission amplification method, which uses the optical transmission amplification device described in any of the above embodiments, and the method includes the following steps:

[0089] Step 101 : Use the optical filter 307 to transmit the first reverse detection signal light outputted from the first coupler 301 to the second coupler 304 , and transmit the second reverse detection signal light outputted from the second coupler 304 to the first coupler 301 .

[0090] Step 102: Use the first coupler 301 to combine the first signal light of the uplink optical path and the second reverse detection signal light output from the optical filter 307 and output them to the first port of the first optical circulator 302; the first signal light includes the first service signal light and the first detection signal light.

[0091] Step 103: The signal light input from the first port of the first optical circulator 302 is output from the second port, and the signal light input from the third port of the first optical circulator 302 is output from the fourth port.

[0092] Step 104 : Amplify the signal light output from the second port of the first optical circulator 302 by using the first optical amplifying unit 303 , and input the amplified signal light into the third port of the first optical circulator 302 .

[0093] Step 105: Use the second coupler 304 to combine the second signal light of the downstream optical path and the first reverse detection signal light output from the optical filter 307 and output them to the first port of the second optical circulator; the second signal light includes the second service signal light and the second detection signal light.

[0094] Step 106: The signal light input from the first port of the second optical circulator 305 is output from the second port, and the signal light input from the third port of the second optical circulator 305 is output from the fourth port.

[0095] Step 107 : Amplify the signal light output from the second port of the second optical circulator 305 by using the second optical amplifying unit 306 , and input the amplified signal light into the third port of the second optical circulator 305 .

[0096] In the embodiment of the present application, the first reverse detection signal light is formed by the first detection signal light being backscattered in the uplink optical path; the second reverse detection signal light is formed by the second detection signal light being backscattered in the downlink optical path.

[0097] In some embodiments: See Figure 3 As shown, the embodiment of the present application provides an optical transmission amplification method, which further includes the following steps:

[0098] In step 104a, the pump light output by the first pump laser 3035 is combined with the first signal light and the second reverse detection signal light through the third coupler 3031 and output to the first gain medium 3032 .

[0099] Step 104 b: After amplification by the first gain medium 3032 , the pump light is transmitted through the first optical equalizer 3033 and output to the second gain medium 3034 .

[0100] Step 104c: The first signal light and the second reverse detection signal light amplified by the first gain medium 3032 are spectrally adjusted and output through the first optical equalizer 3033.

[0101] Step 104d: The second gain medium 3034 amplifies the signal output from the first optical equalizer 3033 and then inputs the amplified signal to the third port of the first optical circulator 302 .

[0102] In some embodiments: See Figure 3 As shown, the embodiment of the present application provides an optical transmission amplification method, which further includes the following steps:

[0103] In step 107 a , the pump light output by the second pump laser 3065 is combined with the second signal light and the first reverse detection signal light through the fourth coupler 3061 and output to the third gain medium 3062 .

[0104] Step 107 b: After amplification by the third gain medium 3062 , the pump light is transmitted through the second optical equalizer 3063 and output to the fourth gain medium 3064 .

[0105] Step 107c: The second signal light and the first reverse detection signal light amplified by the third gain medium 3062 are spectrally adjusted and output through the second optical equalizer 3063.

[0106] Step 107 d : The fourth gain medium 3064 amplifies the signal output from the second optical equalizer 3063 and then inputs the amplified signal to the third port of the second optical circulator 305 .

[0107] How it works

[0108] An embodiment of the present application provides an optical transmission amplification device and method. Since the optical transmission amplification device is provided with an uplink optical path, a first coupler 301 and a first optical circulator 302 are connected in sequence on the uplink optical path. The first coupler 301 is connected to the first port of the first optical circulator 302, and a first optical amplification unit 303 is connected between the second port and the third port of the first optical circulator 302.

[0109] A downlink optical path is sequentially connected to a second coupler 304 and a second optical circulator 305, wherein the second coupler 304 is connected to the first port of the second optical circulator 305, and a second optical amplifier unit 306 is connected between the second port and the third port of the second optical circulator 305; an optical filter 307 is connected between the first coupler 301 and the second coupler 304, and is used to transmit the first reverse detection signal light output by the first coupler 301 to the second coupler 304, and to transmit the second reverse detection signal light output by the second coupler 304 to the first coupler 301.

[0110] Therefore, the optical transmission amplification device of the present application includes a first optical circulator 302 on the upstream optical path, which unidirectionally transmits the first signal light on the upstream optical path; and a second optical circulator 305 on the downstream optical path, which unidirectionally transmits the second signal light on the downstream optical path. An optical filter 307 transmits the first reverse detection signal light output by the first coupler 301 to the second coupler 304, thereby enabling the monitoring signal on the upstream optical path to be transmitted to the downstream optical path and amplified and output together with the service signal on the downstream optical path.

[0111] Optical filter 307 also transmits the second reverse detection signal light output by second coupler 304 to first coupler 301, allowing the detection signal light from the downstream optical path to be transmitted to the upstream optical path and amplified and output together with the service signal from the upstream optical path. This further simplifies the structure of the present application by removing the coupler at the output end, reducing output loss, resulting in better output performance and higher reliability of the overall optical path.

[0112] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "upper" and "lower" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on this application. Unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be internal communication between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0113] It should be noted that, in this application, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, an element defined by the sentence "comprising a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device comprising the element.

[0114] The foregoing is merely a list of specific embodiments of the present application, intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand or implement the present application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application. Therefore, the present application is not limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is intended to conform to the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features of the present application.

Claims

1. An optical transmission amplification device, characterized in that: The device comprises: an uplink optical path, wherein a first coupler (301) and a first optical circulator (302) are sequentially connected to the uplink optical path, the first coupler (301) is connected to a first port of the first optical circulator (302), and a first optical amplification unit (303) is connected between the second port and the third port of the first optical circulator (302); a downlink optical path, wherein a second coupler (304) and a second optical circulator (305) are sequentially connected to the downlink optical path, the second coupler (304) is connected to the first port of the second optical circulator (305), and a second optical amplification unit (306) is connected between the second port and the third port of the second optical circulator (305); an optical filter (307), the optical filter (307) being connected between the first coupler (301) and the second coupler (304), and being used for transparently transmitting the first reverse detection signal light output by the first coupler (301) to the second coupler (304), and transparently transmitting the second reverse detection signal light output by the second coupler (304) to the first coupler (301); The first optical circulator (302) is provided with four ports, and the first backscattered light inputted into the fourth port of the first optical circulator (302) is outputted from the first port of the first optical circulator (302); The second optical circulator (305) is provided with four ports, and the second backscattered light inputted into the fourth port of the second optical circulator (305) is outputted from the first port of the second optical circulator (305); The second reverse detection signal output from the optical filter (307) is optically combined and output to the first port of the first optical circulator (302), and the first reverse detection signal output from the optical filter (307) is optically combined and output to the first port of the second optical circulator (305).

2. The optical transmission amplification device according to claim 1, wherein: The first optical amplification unit (303) comprises a third coupler (3031), a first gain medium (3032), a first optical equalizer (3033), and a second gain medium (3034) connected in sequence; The inlet end of the third coupler (3031) is connected to the second port of the first optical circulator (302), and the inlet end of the third coupler (3031) is also connected to the first pump laser (3035).

3. The optical transmission amplification device according to claim 1, wherein: The second optical amplification unit (306) comprises a fourth coupler (3061), a third gain medium (3062), a second optical equalizer (3063), and a fourth gain medium (3064) connected in sequence; The inlet end of the fourth coupler (3061) is connected to the second port of the second optical circulator (305), and the inlet end of the fourth coupler (3061) is also connected to the second pump laser (3065).

4. The optical transmission amplification device according to claim 1, wherein: The uplink optical path and the downlink optical path are both submarine optical cables.

5. A light transmission amplification method, characterized in that: The method uses the optical transmission amplification device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and the method includes: utilizing an optical filter (307) to transmit the first reverse detection signal light outputted by the first coupler (301) to the second coupler (304), and to transmit the second reverse detection signal light outputted from the second coupler (304) to the first coupler (301); The first signal light of the uplink optical path and the second reverse detection signal light output from the optical filter (307) are combined and output to the first port of the first optical circulator (302) using the first coupler (301); Outputting the signal light input from the first port of the first optical circulator (302) from the second port, and outputting the signal light input from the third port of the first optical circulator (302) from the fourth port; Amplifying the signal light output from the second port of the first optical circulator (302) using the first optical amplifying unit (303), and inputting the amplified signal light into the third port of the first optical circulator (302); The second signal light of the downlink optical path and the first reverse detection signal light output from the optical filter (307) are combined and output to the first port of the second optical circulator (305) using the second coupler (304); Outputting the signal light input from the first port of the second optical circulator (305) from the second port, and outputting the signal light input from the third port of the second optical circulator (305) from the fourth port; The signal light output from the second port of the second optical circulator (305) is amplified by the second optical amplification unit (306), and the amplified signal light is input to the third port of the second optical circulator (305).

6. The optical transmission amplification method according to claim 5, wherein: The first signal light includes a first service signal light and a first detection signal light, and the second signal light includes a second service signal light and a second detection signal light; The first reverse detection signal light is formed by the first detection signal light being backscattered in the uplink optical path; The second reverse detection signal light is formed by the second detection signal light being backscattered in the downlink optical path.

7. The optical transmission amplification method according to claim 5, wherein: The method further comprises: The pump light output by the first pump laser (3035) is combined with the first signal light and the second reverse detection signal light through the third coupler (3031) and output to the first gain medium (3032); After amplification by the first gain medium (3032), the pump light is transmitted through the first optical equalizer (3033) and output to the second gain medium (3034); The first signal light and the second reverse detection signal light amplified by the first gain medium (3032) are spectrally adjusted and output through the first optical equalizer (3033); The second gain medium (3034) amplifies the signal output from the first optical equalizer (3033) and then inputs the amplified signal into the third port of the first optical circulator (302).

8. The optical transmission amplification method according to claim 5, wherein: The method further comprises: The pump light output by the second pump laser (3065) is combined with the second signal light and the first reverse detection signal light through the fourth coupler (3061) and output to the third gain medium (3062); After amplification by the third gain medium (3062), the pump light is transmitted through the second optical equalizer (3063) and output to the fourth gain medium (3064); The second signal light and the first reverse detection signal light amplified by the third gain medium (3062) are spectrally adjusted and output through the second optical equalizer (3063); The fourth gain medium (3064) amplifies the signal output from the second optical equalizer (3063) and then inputs the amplified signal into the third port of the second optical circulator (305).

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