Fault detection device and fault detection method

Abstract

A failure detection apparatus for submarine optical cables having a redundant configuration, the apparatus comprising, with a view to detecting a failure in a presently-used transmission path and a reserve transmission path: a first optical coupler which branches and outputs a surveillance signal to the presently-used transmission path and the reserve transmission path; a second switch functional unit which outputs the surveillance signal outputted from either the presently-used transmission path or the reserve transmission path that is specified as a test transmission path; and a transmission path surveillance unit which, on the basis of the surveillance signal received from the second switch functional unit, detects a failure taking place in said test transmission path.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for detecting a fault in an optical submarine cable system. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a technique for detecting a fault in a submarine optical cable system is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the optical submarine transmission system of Patent Document 1, a main line cable and a backup line cable are laid on the land section along different paths. The land terminal station includes a break detection means for detecting a break in the main line cable and a path switching means for switching the transmission path in the land section to the backup line cable. The break detection means detects a break in the cable based on the light receiving level of the main signal sent from the cable in the sea, or based on the light receiving level of the monitoring signal output from the break detection means and reflected by the beach manhole and returned. The beach manhole includes an optical coupler for combining and branching the main signal between the main line cable and the backup line cable, and small passive components such as a fiber grating and an optical coupler for returning the monitoring signal to the break detection means. As a result of the above configuration, in the optical submarine transmission system of Patent Document 1, a fault in the land line forming a redundant configuration between the beach manhole and the land terminal station is detected in the optical submarine transmission system.

[0003] Another example of a technique for detecting a fault in a submarine optical cable system is disclosed in Patent Document 2. In the wavelength multiplexing optical submarine cable network of Patent Document 2, an optical transmitter of a sending end terminal device receives a modulated signal from a line monitoring device, superimposes the modulated signal on an optical signal as a line monitoring signal, and outputs the signal to a relay line. The line monitoring signal that is returned via the return line of each optical repeater inserted in the relay line is branched by an optical coupler and input to the line monitoring device. An optical selector selects a feedback signal from each fiber pair. An arrayed waveguide grating filter divides the wavelength multiplexed optical signal of the selected fiber pair into wavelengths λ1 to λn, and a selector selects the signals of the wavelengths one by one. A light receiving unit performs optical-electrical conversion, and a demodulation unit demodulates the returned line monitoring signal. A correlation unit checks whether the line monitoring signal has an abnormality and monitors whether a fault has occurred in the relay line. When line monitoring of one fiber pair is completed, line monitoring of the next fiber pair is started. As a result of the above configuration, in the wavelength multiplexing optical submarine cable network of Patent Document 2, the wavelength multiplexing optical submarine cable network line is monitored. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-173943 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-289494 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In general, in a submarine optical cable system, it is important for the maintenance and operation to detect faults in the transmission paths of the submarine optical cables and repeaters, etc. In particular, in a submarine optical cable system in which the submarine optical cables form a redundant configuration (route diversity), it is important to detect faults (monitor normality) not only in the working transmission path that transmits the main signal, but also in the backup transmission path that substitutes for the working transmission path in the event of a fault.

[0006] However, the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 have a problem in that they do not take into consideration the redundant configuration of the submarine optical cable when detecting a fault in the submarine optical cable.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its main object to detect faults in a working transmission line and a protection transmission line in a submarine optical cable system in which the submarine optical cables form a redundant configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, a fault detection device includes a first optical coupler that branches and outputs a monitoring signal to a working transmission line and a protection transmission line, a second switch function unit that outputs the monitoring signal output from a test transmission line that is a designated one of the working transmission line and the protection transmission line, and a transmission line monitoring unit that detects a fault in the test transmission line based on the monitoring signal received from the second switch function unit.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, a cable branching device includes a second switch function unit that branches off and outputs a supervisory signal to a current transmission path and a protection transmission path, and outputs a supervisory signal output from a test transmission path that is a designated one of the current transmission path and the protection transmission path.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, a fault detection method detects a fault in a test transmission line based on a monitoring signal that is branched and output to a current transmission line and a protection transmission line, and is output from a test transmission line that is a designated one of the current transmission line and the protection transmission line. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, in a submarine optical cable system in which the submarine optical cables form a redundant configuration, it is possible to detect faults in the working transmission line and the protection transmission line. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 4 is a flowchart showing an operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described, which is the basis of a second embodiment (described later) and a third embodiment (described later) of the present invention and is based on the first embodiment (described later) of the present invention. In this embodiment, a first submarine terminal device controls execution of a test of a transmission line.

[0014] The configuration of this embodiment will be described.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the fault detection device 105 in this embodiment includes a first submarine terminal device 205, a first cable branching device 305, a second cable branching device 306, and a second submarine terminal device 202.

[0017] A first submarine terminal equipment 205 (SLTE: Submarine Line Terminal Equipment; hereinafter also referred to as "station a") converts data and optical wavelength division multiplexing (WDM: Wavelength Division Multiplexing) signals between an external device (not shown) and a transmission line.

[0018] The first cable branching device 305 (BU: Branching Unit) is connected to the first submarine terminal device 205 and the second cable branching device 306 .

[0019] The second cable branching device 306 is connected to the second submarine terminal device 202 and the first cable branching device 305 .

[0020] The first cable branching device 305 and the second cable branching device 306 are connected to each other by a first submarine optical cable 610 (hereinafter also referred to as "Route A") and a second submarine optical cable 620 (hereinafter also referred to as "Route B"). The first submarine optical cable 610 and the second submarine optical cable 620 are configured to be redundant with each other, one being an active transmission path and the other being a backup transmission path. For example, the first cable branching device 305 and the second cable branching device 306 each switch between the active transmission path and the backup transmission path when a fault is detected in the active transmission path. For example, the first cable branching device 305 and the second cable branching device 306 each hold information on the active transmission path. Then, the first submarine terminal 205, which detects a fault in the working transmission line, transmits a first working transmission line switching command for switching the working transmission line to the first switch function unit 395 via a third connection (not shown) parallel to the first connection between the first submarine terminal 205 and the first cable branching unit 305. The second submarine terminal 202, which detects a fault in the working transmission line, transmits a second working transmission line switching command for switching the working transmission line to the second switch function unit 396 via a fourth connection (not shown) parallel to the second connection between the second submarine terminal 202 and the second cable branching unit 306. Then, the first switch function unit 395 and the second switch function unit 396 switch the working transmission line according to the received first working transmission line switching command or the second working transmission line switching command (a description of the receiving mechanism is omitted), respectively. Then, the first cable branching device 305 and the second cable branching device 306 each update the information of the working transmission line. Since a switching mechanism between the working transmission line and the protection transmission line is generally known (see Patent Document 1), a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0021] The second submarine terminal device 202 (hereinafter also referred to as "station b") converts data and WDM signals between an external device (not shown) and the transmission line. The second submarine terminal device 202 is connected to a second cable branching device 306.

[0022] The first submarine terminal device 205 and the second submarine terminal device 202 communicate using a WDM signal (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a "signal") via the current transmission line. The WDM signal is used to transmit both the main signal and the supervisory signal over a single optical fiber. The signal includes the main signal and the supervisory signal. The main signal is a signal representing data to be exchanged between the station a and the station b. The supervisory signal is a signal for detecting faults in the routes A and B. The supervisory signal is assumed to be identifiable from the main signal by its wavelength. Here, the setting as to whether the current transmission line is route A or B (hereinafter, referred to as the "current transmission line setting") is assumed to be held by the first cable branching device 305 and the second cable branching device 306. In addition, whether the transmission line to be tested (hereinafter, referred to as the "test transmission line") is route A or B (or the current transmission line or the protection transmission line) is assumed to be determined for each test.

[0023] The first cable branching device 305 includes a first optical coupler 311 and a first switch function unit 395 .

[0024] The first optical coupler 311 has an input from station a and outputs to routes A and B. The first optical coupler 311 branches the signal received from station a to the working transmission path and the protection transmission path (routes A and B) and outputs the branched signal.

[0025] The first switch function unit 395 has inputs from routes A and B and an output to station a. The first switch function unit 395 transmits to station a the main signal input from the working transmission line (either route A or B) and the supervisory signal input from the test transmission line.

[0026] The second cable branching device 306 includes a second optical coupler 312 and a second switch function unit 396 .

[0027] The second optical coupler 312 has an input from station b and outputs to routes A and B. The second optical coupler 312 branches the signal received from the second submarine terminal equipment 202 and outputs it to the working transmission path and the protection transmission path.

[0028] The second switch function unit 396 has inputs from routes A and B and an output to station b. The second switch function unit 396 transmits the main signal input from the working transmission line and the monitor signal input from the test transmission line to the second submarine terminal equipment 202.

[0029] The operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0030] Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation in the first embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart shown in Fig. 2 and its explanation are merely examples, and the order of processing may be changed, processing may be reversed, or processing may be repeated as appropriate according to the required processing.

[0031] First, the first submarine terminal device 205 designates the test transmission line and then transmits a monitoring signal to the first optical coupler 311 (step S310). In order to designate the test transmission line, for example, (1) a management system (not shown) that manages the entire system (for example, a submarine cable system) including the fault detection device 105 controls the setting of the test transmission line in the first cable branching device 305 and the second cable branching device 306. Or, (2) the station a may instruct the first switch function unit 395 and the second switch function unit 396 to receive the monitoring signal from the test transmission line for the time required for one test (or the time required from the transmission to reception of the monitoring signal). Or, (3) the test transmission line may be made identifiable by the wavelength of the monitoring signal. Or, (4) the test transmission line may be made identifiable by the modulation state of the monitoring signal. In the case of (2), for example, the first submarine terminal station 205 transmits a first test transmission line designation command for designating a test transmission line to the second submarine terminal station 202 by the main signal. At the same time, the first submarine terminal station 205 transmits a second test transmission line designation command for designating a test transmission line to the first switch function unit 395 via a third connection (not shown) parallel to the first connection between the first submarine terminal station 205 and the first cable branching unit 305. The second submarine terminal station 202, which has received the first test transmission line designation command, transmits a third test transmission line designation command for designating a test transmission line to the second switch function unit 396 via a fourth connection (not shown) parallel to the second connection between the second submarine terminal station 202 and the second cable branching unit 306. Then, the first switch function unit 395 and the second switch function unit 396 each designate a test transmission path for a predetermined time in accordance with the received second test transmission path designation command or third test transmission path designation command (description of the receiving mechanism is omitted). In the case of (4), for example, the first submarine terminal device 205 transmits a monitoring signal modulated with a fourth test transmission path designation command that designates a test transmission path to the first submarine terminal device 205. Then, the first switch function unit 395 and the second switch function unit 396 demodulate the received monitoring signal (description of the demodulation mechanism is omitted) and identify the test transmission path in accordance with the demodulated fourth test transmission path designation command.

[0032] Next, the second switch function unit 396 transmits the monitor signal received from the first optical coupler 311 via the test transmission line to the second submarine terminal device 202 (step S320).

[0033] Next, the second submarine terminal device 202 loops back the monitor signal received from the second switch function unit 396 to the second optical coupler 312 (step S330).

[0034] Next, the first switch function unit 395 transmits the monitor signal received from the second optical coupler 312 via the test transmission line to the first submarine terminal device 205 (step S340).

[0035] Next, the first submarine terminal device 205 detects a fault in the test transmission line (the working transmission line or the protection transmission line) based on the monitoring signal received from the first switch function unit 395 (step S350). Specifically, the first submarine terminal device 205 identifies the presence or absence of a fault, the type of fault, the location of the fault, etc., based on, for example, fluctuations in the level of the looped-back monitoring signal, the time required from transmission to reception of the monitoring signal, etc.

[0036] As described above, in the fault detection device 105 in this embodiment, the station a transmits a supervisory signal to both the routes A and B via the first cable branching device 305. The second cable branching device 306 transmits to the station b a supervisory signal received from the test transmission line among the supervisory signals transmitted to both the routes A and B. The station b loops back the supervisory signal received from the second cable branching device 306 to both the routes A and B via the second cable branching device 306. The first cable branching device 305 transmits to the station a a supervisory signal received from the test transmission line among the supervisory signals looped back to both the routes A and B. The station a detects a fault in the test transmission line based on the supervisory signal received from the first cable branching device 305. Here, either the route A or B (the working transmission line or the backup transmission line) can be specified as the test transmission line.

[0037] Therefore, the fault detection device 105 in this embodiment has the effect of being able to detect faults in the working transmission line and the protection transmission line in an optical submarine cable system in which the submarine optical cables form a redundant configuration. Here, the fault detection device 105 can detect faults in the working transmission line and the protection transmission line without depending on the working transmission line setting.

[0038] In addition, in the fault detection device 105, when the second submarine terminal device 202 does not loop back the supervisory signal, the second connection between the second submarine terminal device 202 and the second cable branching device 306 may include at least one fourth repeater (see the second embodiment). The fourth repeater passes the main signal and the supervisory signal, and loops back the supervisory signal in the second connection. Here, loopback means that when a signal is received in a certain direction of a certain transmission line (for example, from station A to station B), a signal is transmitted in the opposite direction of the transmission line (for example, from station B to station A). In this case, there is an effect that faults in the working transmission line and the protection transmission line can be detected even when the second submarine terminal device 202 does not loop back the supervisory signal.

[0039] Furthermore, in the fault detection device 105, the first submarine optical cable 610 and the second submarine optical cable 620 may each include at least one first repeater and one second repeater (see the second embodiment). Then, the first repeater and the second repeater loop back the passed monitoring signal in the first submarine optical cable 610 and the second submarine optical cable 620, respectively. In this case, there is an advantage that the type of fault, the location of the fault, etc. can be specified in more detail.

[0040] Furthermore, in the fault detection device 105, at least one third repeater may be included in the first connection between the first submarine terminal device 205 and the first cable branching device 305 (see the second embodiment). The third repeater then loops back the passed monitoring signal in the first connection. In this case, there is an advantage that the type of fault, the location of the fault, etc. can be specified in more detail. Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described, which is based on the first embodiment of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the fault detection device in this embodiment inherits the configuration and operation of the first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a filter, an optical switch, and a multiplexer are used to select the main signal and the supervisory signal in the cable branching device.

[0041] The configuration of this embodiment will be described.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, the fault detection device 100 in this embodiment includes at least two submarine optical cables, a first submarine optical cable 610 and a second submarine optical cable 620, a first submarine terminal station 201 (station a), a second submarine terminal station 202 (station b), a first cable branching device 301, a second cable branching device 302, and a transmission path monitoring device 500.

[0044] In this embodiment, each of routes A and B includes at least one first repeater 401 and a second repeater 402. Also, the first connection between station a and the first cable branching device 301 includes at least one third repeater 403. Also, the second connection between station b and the second cable branching device 302 includes at least one fourth repeater 404.

[0045] Station a converts data and WDM signals between an external device (not shown) and the transmission line. In this embodiment, station a is connected to a transmission line monitoring device 500. In this embodiment, station a does not need to loop back a monitoring signal.

[0046] The first cable branching device 301 is connected to the station a and the second cable branching device 302 .

[0047] The second cable branching device 302 is connected to the station b and the first cable branching device 301 .

[0048] The first cable branching device 301 and the second cable branching device 302 are connected to each other by route A and route B, respectively.

[0049] Station b converts data and WDM signals between an external device (not shown) and the transmission line.

[0050] Station a and station b communicate with each other using WDM signals via a working transmission line.

[0051] The first cable branching device 301 includes a first optical coupler 311 , a first filter 321 , a second filter 331 , a first optical switch 341 , a second optical switch 351 , and a first multiplexer 361 .

[0052] The second cable branching device 302 includes a second optical coupler 312 , a third filter 322 , a fourth filter 332 , a third optical switch 342 , a fourth optical switch 352 , and a second multiplexer 362 .

[0053] The first optical coupler 311 branches a signal received from the station a into route A and route B for transmission.

[0054] The first optical switch 341 has an input from the first filter 321, an input from the second filter 331, and an output to the first multiplexer 361. The first optical switch 341 outputs a main signal received from the active transmission line, out of the main signals output by the first filter 321 or the second filter 331.

[0055] The first filter 321 has an input from route A, an output to the first optical switch 341, and an output to the second optical switch 351. Of the signals received from the second optical coupler 312 via route A, the first filter 321 splits and outputs a supervisory signal to the second optical switch 351 and a main signal to the first optical switch 341.

[0056] The second filter 331 has an input from route B, an output to the first optical switch 341, and an output to the second optical switch 351. Of the signals received from the second optical coupler 312 via route B, the second filter 331 splits and outputs a supervisory signal to the second optical switch 351 and a main signal to the first optical switch 341.

[0057] The second optical switch 351 has an input from the first filter 321, an input from the second filter 331, and an output to the first multiplexer 361. The second optical switch 351 outputs a supervisory signal received from the test transmission line, out of the supervisory signals output by the first filter 321 or the second filter 331.

[0058] The first multiplexer 361 has an input from the first optical switch 341, an input from the second optical switch 351, and an output to the station a. The first multiplexer 361 multiplexes the main signal output from the first optical switch 341 and the supervisory signal output from the second optical switch 351, and transmits the multiplexed signal to the station a.

[0059] The second optical coupler 312 branches the signal received from the station b to route A and route B for transmission.

[0060] The third optical switch 342 has an input from the third filter 322, an input from the fourth filter 332, and an output to the second multiplexer 362. The third optical switch 342 outputs the main signal received from the working transmission line, out of the main signals output by the third filter 322 or the fourth filter 332.

[0061] The third filter 322 has an input from route A, an output to the third optical switch 342, and an output to the fourth optical switch 352. The third filter 322 splits and outputs the supervisory signal and the main signal of the signals received from the first optical coupler 311 via route A to the fourth optical switch 352 and the third optical switch 342, respectively.

[0062] The fourth filter 332 has an input from route B, an output to the third optical switch 342, and an output to the fourth optical switch 352. Of the signals received from the first optical coupler 311 via route B, the fourth filter 332 splits and outputs a supervisory signal to the fourth optical switch 352 and a main signal to the third optical switch 342.

[0063] The fourth optical switch 352 has an input from the third filter 322, an input from the fourth filter 332, and an output to the second multiplexer 362. The fourth optical switch 352 outputs the supervisory signal received from the test transmission line, out of the supervisory signals output by the third filter 322 or the fourth filter 332.

[0064] The second multiplexer 362 has an input from the third optical switch 342, an input from the fourth optical switch 352, and an output to station b. The second multiplexer 362 multiplexes the main signal output from the third optical switch 342 and the supervisory signal output from the fourth optical switch 352, and transmits the multiplexed signal to station b.

[0065] Each of the first repeater 401, the second repeater 402, the third repeater 403, and the fourth repeater 404 has a first input from any one direction of a certain transmission line (e.g., from station a to station b; referred to as the forward direction), a first output in the forward direction of the transmission line, a second input from the reverse direction of the forward direction of the transmission line (e.g., from station b to station a; simply referred to as the "reverse direction"), and a second output in the reverse direction of the transmission line. Each of the first repeater 401, the second repeater 402, the third repeater 403, and the fourth repeater 404 passes the first input to the first output and the second input to the second output, and loops back the monitoring signal from the first input to the second output and the monitoring signal from the second input to the first output. That is, the supervisory signal input from the first input and the second input of the transmission line is output (passed) to the first output and the second output of the transmission line, respectively, and at the same time is output (looped back) to the second output and the first output of the transmission line.

[0066] The first repeater 401 passes the main signal and the supervisory signal in route A and loops back the supervisory signal. The first repeater 401 is, for example, an optical submarine repeater having a loopback function using a reflective optical filter and an amplification and repeating function using an erbium-doped fiber.

[0067] The second repeater 402 passes the main signal and the supervisory signal in route B, and loops back the supervisory signal. The second repeater 402 is, for example, an optical submarine repeater having a loopback function using a reflective optical filter and an amplification and repeating function using an erbium-doped fiber.

[0068] The third repeater 403 passes the main signal and the supervisory signal in the first connection and loops back the supervisory signal. The third repeater 403 is, for example, an optical fiber partial reflector (in-line type).

[0069] The fourth repeater 404 passes the main signal and the supervisory signal in the second connection and loops back the supervisory signal. The fourth repeater 404 is, for example, an optical fiber partial reflector (in-line type).

[0070] The transmission line monitoring device 500 instructs the station a to transmit a monitoring signal, and detects faults in the routes A and B based on the looped-back monitoring signal received from the station a.

[0071] Other configurations in this embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment.

[0072] The operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0073] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] Here, it is assumed that no failure occurs in the fault detection device 100. In this case, the main signal and the supervisory signal are passed through the first repeater 401, the second repeater 402, the third repeater 403, and the fourth repeater 404, and the supervisory signal is looped back (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the supervisory signal being "looped back"). However, in the following, the loopback of the supervisory signal in the fourth repeater 404 will be described as a representative example.

[0075] First, for example, it is assumed that a management system (not shown) sets a test transmission path (for example, route B) in the first cable branching device 301 and the second cable branching device 302. Then, it is assumed that the transmission path monitoring device 500 instructs the station a to transmit a monitoring signal in a state in which the test transmission path is designated.

[0076] Next, the main signal and the monitor signal transmitted from the station a pass through the third repeater 403, are branched by the first optical coupler 311, and pass through both routes A and B (through the first repeater 401 and the second repeater 402) to reach the second cable branching device 302 (step S110). Here, in the first repeater 401, the second repeater 402, and the third repeater 403, the monitor signal is looped back from the station b to the station a.

[0077] Next, in the second cable branching device 302, the main signal and the supervisory signal are separated by the third filter 322 and the fourth filter 332 (step S120).

[0078] Next, the main signal is received from a filter (e.g., the third filter 322) on the working transmission line (e.g., route A) side by the third optical switch 342. On the other hand, the monitor signal is received from a filter (e.g., the fourth filter 332) on the test transmission line (e.g., route B) side by the fourth optical switch 352 (step S130). Here, the test transmission line can be independently selected, regardless of whether the working transmission line is route A or B.

[0079] Subsequently, the main signal received by the third optical switch 342 and the monitor signal received by the fourth optical switch 352 are multiplexed by the second multiplexer 362 and reach the fourth repeater 404 (step S140).

[0080] Furthermore, the monitor signal that has reached the fourth repeater 404 is looped back by the fourth repeater 404 to the second optical coupler 312, passes through both routes A and B, and reaches the first cable branching device 301 (step S150). Here, the main signal and monitor signal multiplexed by the second multiplexer 362 also reach station b. Then, station b transmits the main signal to the second optical coupler 312.

[0081] Next, in the first cable branching device 301, the main signal and the looped-back supervisory signal are separated by the first filter 321 and the second filter 331 (step S160).

[0082] Next, the main signal is received from a filter (e.g., the first filter 321) on the working transmission line (e.g., route A) side by the first optical switch 341. On the other hand, the looped back monitor signal is received from a filter (e.g., the second filter 331) on the test transmission line (e.g., route B) side by the second optical switch 351 (step S170). Here, the test transmission line is assumed to be the same as the test transmission line of the fourth optical switch 352 in step S130.

[0083] Next, the main signal received by the first optical switch 341 and the supervisory signal received by the second optical switch 351 are multiplexed by the first multiplexer 361 and reach the station a (step S180).

[0084] As a result of the above operations, if no fault has occurred in the fault detection device 100, the monitoring signal is looped back to station a from the first repeater 401, the second repeater 402, and the third repeater 403, as well as from the fourth repeater 404.

[0085] On the other hand, in the fault detection device 100, if a fault occurs in any of the transmission paths, either none of the supervisory signals is looped back or an abnormality occurs in the looped back supervisory signal.

[0086] The transmission line monitoring device 500 detects a fault in the transmission line based on the looped-back monitoring signal received from the station a via the test transmission line (for example, route B).

[0087] Similarly, this time, for example, a management system (not shown) switches the setting of the test transmission line in the first cable branching device 301 and the second cable branching device 302 (for example, route A). Then, in a state in which the test transmission line has been switched, the transmission line monitoring device 500 instructs the station a to transmit a monitoring signal, and detects a fault in the transmission line based on the looped-back monitoring signal received from the station a via the test transmission line (for example, route A). That is, the monitoring signals looped back from each of the first repeater 401 and the second repeater 402 are identified by the designated test transmission line. Also, the monitoring signals looped back from each of the third repeater 403, the first repeater 401, and the fourth repeater 404 are identified based on, for example, the time difference required from the transmission of the monitoring signal to its reception. Moreover, the supervisory signals looped back from the third repeater 403, the second repeater 402, and the fourth repeater 404 are identified based on, for example, the time difference required from transmission to reception of the supervisory signal.

[0088] Other operations in this embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment.

[0089] As described above, in the fault detection device 100 in this embodiment, the first cable branching device 301 transmits a monitoring signal to both routes A and B via the first cable branching device 301 and the second cable branching device 302. The monitoring signal transmitted to both routes A and B is looped back by the first repeater 401, the second repeater 402, the third repeater 403, or the fourth repeater 404. The first cable branching device 301 and the second cable branching device 302 transmit the monitoring signal looped back from the test transmission line to the station a. Here, the test transmission line does not depend on the working transmission line and can be independently selected. The transmission line monitoring device 500 detects a fault in the transmission line based on the looped back monitoring signal received from the station a.

[0090] Therefore, the fault detection device 100 in this embodiment has the effect of being able to detect faults in the working transmission line and the protection transmission line in a submarine optical cable system in which the submarine optical cables form a redundant configuration. Here, the fault detection device 100 can detect faults in the working transmission line and the protection transmission line without depending on the working transmission line setting. Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described, which is based on the second embodiment of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the fault detection device in this embodiment inherits the configuration and operation of the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a wavelength selective switch (WSS) and a multiplexer are used to select the main signal and the supervisory signal in the cable branching device.

[0091] The configuration of this embodiment will be described.

[0092] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 5, the fault detection device 103 in this embodiment includes at least two submarine optical cables, a first submarine optical cable 610 and a second submarine optical cable 620, a first submarine terminal station 201 (station a), a second submarine terminal station 202 (station b), a first cable branching device 303, a second cable branching device 304, and a transmission path monitoring device 500.

[0094] The first cable branching device 303 is connected to the station a and the second cable branching device 304 .

[0095] The second cable branching device 304 is connected to the station b and the first cable branching device 303 .

[0096] The first cable branching device 303 and the second cable branching device 304 are connected to each other by route A and route B, respectively.

[0097] The first cable branching device 303 includes a first optical coupler 311 , a first wavelength selective switch 371 , a second wavelength selective switch 381 , and a first multiplexer 361 .

[0098] The second cable branching device 304 includes a second optical coupler 312 , a third wavelength selective switch 372 , a fourth wavelength selective switch 382 , and a second multiplexer 362 .

[0099] The first wavelength selective switch 371 has an input from route A, a first output to an input for a main signal input of the first multiplexer 361, and a second output to an input for a supervisory signal input of the first multiplexer 361. The first wavelength selective switch 371 switches and outputs, among the signals received from the second optical coupler 312 via the first submarine optical cable 610, a supervisory signal received from the test transmission line to the second output and a main signal received from the working transmission line to the first output. Here, the first wavelength selective switch 371 controls to receive a supervisory signal from the test transmission line according to the method of designating the test transmission line described above in step S310 of the first embodiment.

[0100] The second wavelength selective switch 381 has an input from route B, a first output to an input for a main signal input of the first multiplexer 361, and a second output to an input for a supervisory signal input of the first multiplexer 361. The second wavelength selective switch 381 switches and outputs, among the signals received from the second optical coupler 312 via the second submarine optical cable 620, a supervisory signal received from the test transmission line to the second output and a main signal received from the working transmission line to the first output. Here, the second wavelength selective switch 381 controls to receive a supervisory signal from the test transmission line according to the method of designating the test transmission line described above in step S310 of the first embodiment.

[0101] The first multiplexer 361 has a first input for inputting a main signal from the first wavelength selective switch 371 and the second wavelength selective switch 381, a second input for inputting a supervisory signal from the first wavelength selective switch 371 and the second wavelength selective switch 381, and an output to the first submarine terminal device 201. The first multiplexer 361 multiplexes the supervisory signal output from the first wavelength selective switch 371 or the second wavelength selective switch 381 and the main signal output from the first wavelength selective switch 371 or the second wavelength selective switch 381, and transmits the multiplexed signal to the first submarine terminal device 201.

[0102] The third wavelength selective switch 372 has an input from route A, a first output to an input for a main signal input of the second multiplexer 362, and a second output to an input for a supervisory signal input of the second multiplexer 362. The third wavelength selective switch 372 switches and outputs, among the signals received from the first optical coupler 311 via the first submarine optical cable 610, a supervisory signal received from the test transmission line to the second output and a main signal received from the working transmission line to the first output. Here, the third wavelength selective switch 372 controls to receive a supervisory signal from the test transmission line according to the method of designating the test transmission line described above in step S310 of the first embodiment.

[0103] The fourth wavelength selective switch 382 has an input from route B, a first output to an input for a main signal input of the second multiplexer 362, and a second output to an input for a supervisory signal input of the second multiplexer 362. The fourth wavelength selective switch 382 switches and outputs, among the signals received from the first optical coupler 311 via the second submarine optical cable 620, a supervisory signal received from the test transmission line to the second output and a main signal received from the working transmission line to the first output. Here, the fourth wavelength selective switch 382 controls to receive a supervisory signal from the test transmission line according to the method of designating the test transmission line described above in step S310 of the first embodiment.

[0104] The second multiplexer 362 has a first input for inputting a main signal from the third wavelength selective switch 372 and the fourth wavelength selective switch 382, ​​a second input for inputting a supervisory signal from the third wavelength selective switch 372 and the fourth wavelength selective switch 382, ​​and an output to the second submarine terminal device 202. The second multiplexer 362 multiplexes the supervisory signal output from the third wavelength selective switch 372 or the fourth wavelength selective switch 382 and the main signal output from the third wavelength selective switch 372 or the fourth wavelength selective switch 382, ​​and transmits the multiplexed signal to the second submarine terminal device 202. Other configurations in this embodiment are similar to those in the second embodiment.

[0105] The operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0106] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation in the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] Here, it is assumed that no failure occurs in the fault detection device 103. In this case, the main signal and the supervisory signal are passed through the first repeater 401, the second repeater 402, the third repeater 403, and the fourth repeater 404, and the supervisory signal is looped back (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the supervisory signal being "looped back"). However, in the following, the loopback of the supervisory signal in the fourth repeater 404 will be described as a representative example.

[0108] First, for example, it is assumed that a management system (not shown) sets a test transmission path (for example, route B) in the first cable branching device 303 and the second cable branching device 304. Then, it is assumed that the transmission path monitoring device 500 instructs the station a to transmit a monitoring signal in a state in which the test transmission path is designated.

[0109] Next, the main signal and the monitor signal transmitted from the station a pass through the third repeater 403, are branched by the first optical coupler 311, and pass through both routes A and B (through the first repeater 401 and the second repeater 402) to reach the second cable branching device 304 (step S210). Here, in the first repeater 401, the second repeater 402, and the third repeater 403, the monitor signal is looped back from the station b to the station a.

[0110] Next, the third wavelength selective switch 372 switches and outputs, among the signals received from the first optical coupler 311 via route A, the supervisory signal received from the test transmission line (for example, if the test transmission line is route B, there is no supervisory signal) and the main signal received from the working transmission line (for example, route A) (step S220).

[0111] On the other hand, the fourth wavelength selective switch 382 switches and outputs, among the signals received from the first optical coupler 311 via route B, the supervisory signal received from the test transmission line (for example, when the test transmission line is route B) and the main signal received from the working transmission line (for example, when the working transmission line is route A, there is no main signal) (step S230). Here, the test transmission line can be independently selected, regardless of whether the working transmission line is route A or B.

[0112] Next, the main signal output by the third wavelength selective switch 372 or the fourth wavelength selective switch 382 and the monitor signal output by the third wavelength selective switch 372 or the fourth wavelength selective switch 382 are multiplexed by the second multiplexer 362 and reach the fourth repeater 404 (step S240).

[0113] Furthermore, the monitor signal that has reached the fourth repeater 404 is looped back by the fourth repeater 404 to the second optical coupler 312, passes through both routes A and B, and reaches the first cable branching device 303 (step S250). Here, the main signal and monitor signal multiplexed by the second multiplexer 362 also reach station b. Then, station b transmits the main signal to the second optical coupler 312.

[0114] Next, the first wavelength selective switch 371 switches and outputs, among the signals received from the second optical coupler 312 via route A, the supervisory signal received from the test transmission line (e.g., if the test transmission line is route B, there is no supervisory signal) and the main signal received from the current transmission line (e.g., route A) (step S260).

[0115] On the other hand, the second wavelength selective switch 381 switches and outputs the supervisory signal received from the test transmission line (for example, when the test transmission line is route B) and the main signal received from the working transmission line (for example, when the working transmission line is route A, there is no main signal) among the signals received from the second optical coupler 312 via route B (step S270). Here, the test transmission line is assumed to be the same as the test transmission line of the fourth wavelength selective switch 382 in step S230.

[0116] Next, the main signal output by the first wavelength selective switch 371 or the second wavelength selective switch 381 and the monitor signal output by the first wavelength selective switch 371 or the second wavelength selective switch 381 are multiplexed by the first multiplexer 361 and reach station a (step S280).

[0117] As a result of the above operations, if no fault is found in the fault detection device 103, the monitoring signal is looped back to station a from the first repeater 401, the second repeater 402, and the third repeater 403, as well as from the fourth repeater 404.

[0118] On the other hand, in the fault detection device 103, if a fault occurs in any of the transmission paths, either none of the supervisory signals is looped back or an abnormality occurs in the looped back supervisory signal.

[0119] The transmission line monitoring device 500 detects a fault in the transmission line based on the looped-back monitoring signal received from the station a via the test transmission line (for example, route B).

[0120] Similarly, this time, for example, a management system (not shown) switches the settings of the test transmission path in the first cable branching device 303 and the second cable branching device 304 (for example, route A). Then, with the test transmission path switched, the transmission path monitoring device 500 instructs the station a to transmit a monitoring signal, and detects a fault in the transmission path based on the looped-back monitoring signal received from the station a via the test transmission path (for example, route A).

[0121] Other operations in this embodiment are similar to those in the second embodiment.

[0122] As described above, in the fault detection device 103 in this embodiment, the first cable branching device 303 transmits a monitoring signal to both routes A and B via the first cable branching device 303 and the second cable branching device 304. Then, the monitoring signal transmitted to both routes A and B is looped back by the first repeater 401, the second repeater 402, the third repeater 403, or the fourth repeater 404. Then, the first cable branching device 303 and the second cable branching device 304 transmit the monitoring signal looped back from the test transmission line to the station a. Here, the test transmission line does not depend on the working transmission line and can be independently selected. Then, the transmission line monitoring device 500 detects a fault in the transmission line based on the looped back monitoring signal received from the station a.

[0123] Therefore, the fault detection device 103 in this embodiment has the effect of being able to detect faults in the working transmission line and the protection transmission line in an optical submarine cable system in which the submarine optical cables are configured redundantly. Here, the fault detection device 103 can detect faults in the working transmission line and the protection transmission line without depending on the working transmission line settings. (Fourth embodiment) A fourth embodiment of the present invention, which is the basis of each embodiment of the present invention, will be described.

[0124] The configuration of this embodiment will be described.

[0125] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 7, the fault detection device 107 in this embodiment includes a first optical coupler 311, a second switch function unit 398, and a transmission line monitoring unit 507.

[0127] The second switch function unit 398 is connected to the transmission line monitoring unit 507 and the first optical coupler 311 .

[0128] The first optical coupler 311 and the second switch function unit 398 are connected to each other by a first submarine optical cable 610 (hereinafter also referred to as "route A") and a second submarine optical cable 620 (hereinafter also referred to as "route B"). The first submarine optical cable 610 and the second submarine optical cable 620 are configured to be redundant with each other, one being an active transmission line and the other being a backup transmission line. For example, when a fault is detected in the active transmission line, the second switch function unit 398 switches between the active transmission line and the backup transmission line. For example, the second switch function unit 398 holds information on the active transmission line. Then, the transmission line monitoring unit 507, which detects a fault in the active transmission line, transmits an active transmission line switching command to switch the active transmission line to the second switch function unit 398 via another connection (not shown) parallel to the connection between the transmission line monitoring unit 507 and the second switch function unit 398. Then, the second switch function unit 398 switches the active transmission line according to the received active transmission line switching command (a description of the receiving mechanism is omitted). Then, the second switch function unit 398 updates the information of the active transmission line. Since the switching mechanism for the active transmission line and the protection transmission line is generally known (see Patent Document 1), a detailed description will be omitted.

[0129] The signals transmitted on routes A and B include a supervisory signal. The supervisory signal is a signal for detecting failures on routes A and B.

[0130] The setting as to whether the current transmission line is route A or B (hereinafter referred to as "current transmission line setting") is held by the second switch function unit 398. In addition, whether the transmission line to be tested (hereinafter referred to as "test transmission line") is route A or B (or the current transmission line or the protection transmission line) is determined for each test.

[0131] The first optical coupler 311 has an input from a signal transmission source and outputs to routes A and B. The first optical coupler 311 branches a signal received from the signal transmission source and outputs the branched signal to a working transmission path and a protection transmission path (routes A and B).

[0132] The second switch function unit 398 has inputs from routes A and B and an output to a signal destination. The second switch function unit 398 transmits the monitoring signal input from the test transmission path to the signal destination (transmission path monitoring unit 507).

[0133] The operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0134] First, the signal source transmits a supervisory signal to the first optical coupler 311 .

[0135] Next, the second switch function unit 398 transmits the supervisory signal received from the first optical coupler 311 via the test transmission line to the transmission line monitoring unit 507. Here, it is assumed that the transmission line monitoring unit 507 has designated the test transmission line to the second switch function unit 398. In order to designate the test transmission line, for example, the transmission line monitoring unit 507 may instruct the second switch function unit 398 to receive the supervisory signal from the test transmission line for a time required for one test (or a time required from transmission of the supervisory signal to reception). In this case, for example, the transmission line monitoring unit 507 transmits a test transmission line designation command for designating the test transmission line to the second switch function unit 398 via another connection (not shown) parallel to the connection between the transmission line monitoring unit 507 and the second switch function unit 398. Then, the second switch function unit 398 designates the test transmission line for a predetermined time in accordance with the received test transmission line designation command (a description of a receiving mechanism is omitted).

[0136] Next, the transmission line monitoring unit 507 detects a fault in the test transmission line (the working transmission line or the protection transmission line) based on the monitoring signal received from the second switch function unit 398. Specifically, the transmission line monitoring unit 507 identifies the presence or absence of a fault, the type of fault, the location of the fault (route A or B), and the like based on, for example, a fluctuation in the level of the received monitoring signal, the test transmission line, and the like.

[0137] As described above, in the fault detection device 107 of this embodiment, the second switch function unit 398 transmits, among the supervisory signals transmitted from the signal source to both routes A and B via the first optical coupler 311, a supervisory signal received from the test transmission line to the transmission line monitoring unit 507. Then, the transmission line monitoring unit 507 detects a fault in the test transmission line based on the supervisory signal received from the second switch function unit 398. Here, either route A or B (the working transmission line or the protection transmission line) can be specified as the test transmission line.

[0138] Therefore, the fault detection device 107 in this embodiment has the effect of being able to detect faults in the working transmission line and the protection transmission line in an optical submarine cable system in which the submarine optical cables form a redundant configuration. Here, the fault detection device 107 can detect faults in the working transmission line and the protection transmission line without depending on the working transmission line setting.

[0139] In the fault detection device 107, a main signal that is optically wavelength-division multiplexed together with a supervisory signal may be further input to the first optical coupler 311 (see the first embodiment).

[0140] In addition, in the fault detection device 107, the second switch function unit 398 may output the main signal output from the working transmission line to an output destination other than the transmission line monitoring unit on the receiving side (for example, an undersea terminal device on the receiving side) (see the first embodiment).

[0141] Furthermore, the fault detection device 107 may further include a cable branching device on the transmitting side including a first optical coupler, and a cable branching device on the receiving side including a second switch function unit (see the first embodiment).

[0142] Furthermore, in the fault detection device 107, the supervisory signal transmitted from the transmission source may be looped back from the transmission destination to the transmission source on the transmission path leading to the signal destination (see the first embodiment). In this case, the fault detection device 107 further includes a transmitting side cable branching device including a first optical coupler 311 and a transmitting side switch function unit, and a receiving side cable branching device including a receiving side optical coupler and a second switch function unit 398. Then, the transmitting side device can control the execution of the test of the transmission path.

[0143] Also, in the fault detection device 107, the transmission line monitoring unit 507 may be included in the cable branching device on the receiving side together with the second switch function unit 398. Alternatively, the transmission line monitoring unit 507 may be included in the cable branching device on the transmitting side together with the first optical coupler 311 (provided that the loopback of the monitoring signal described in the first embodiment is performed). Alternatively, the transmission line monitoring unit 507 may be included in the submarine terminal station on the receiving side or in the submarine terminal station on the transmitting side (see the first embodiment). Alternatively, the transmission line monitoring unit 507 may be included in the transmission line monitoring device on the receiving side or in the transmission line monitoring device on the transmitting side (see the second and third embodiments).

[0144] The present invention has been described above by way of example with reference to the above-mentioned embodiments and their modifications. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above-mentioned embodiments and their modifications. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the embodiments. In such cases, new embodiments with such modifications or improvements may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention. This is clear from the matters described in the claims.

[0145] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but is not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Appendix 1) a first optical coupler that branches and outputs a supervisory signal to a working transmission line and a protection transmission line; a second switch function unit that outputs the supervisory signal output from a test transmission line that is a designated one of the working transmission line and the protection transmission line; a transmission line monitoring unit that detects a fault in the test transmission line based on the monitoring signal received from the second switch function unit; A fault detection device comprising: (Appendix 2) The first optical coupler further receives the supervisory signal and a main signal that is optically wavelength-division multiplexed, The second switch function unit outputs the main signal output from the working transmission line to an output destination different from the transmission line monitoring unit. 2. A fault detection apparatus as claimed in claim 1. (Appendix 3) the first optical coupler and the second switch function unit are connected by a first submarine optical cable which can be either one of the working transmission line or the backup transmission line, and a second submarine optical cable which can be the other of the working transmission line or the backup transmission line; The second switch function unit is a third filter that separates the supervisory signal and the main signal from the signals received from the first optical coupler via the first submarine optical cable and outputs the separated signals; a fourth filter that separates the supervisory signal and the main signal from the signals received from the first optical coupler via the second submarine optical cable and outputs the separated signals; a third optical switch that outputs a main signal received from the working transmission line among the main signals output by the third filter or the fourth filter; a fourth optical switch that outputs the supervisory signal received from the test transmission line among the supervisory signals output by the third filter or the fourth filter; a second multiplexer that multiplexes the main signal output from the third optical switch and the monitor signal output from the fourth optical switch and transmits the multiplexed signal to the transmission line monitoring unit; Includes 3. A fault detection device as described in claim 2. (Appendix 4) the first optical coupler and the second switch function unit are connected by a first submarine optical cable which can be either one of the working transmission line or the backup transmission line, and a second submarine optical cable which can be the other of the working transmission line or the backup transmission line; The second switch function unit is a third wavelength selective switch that switches and outputs the supervisory signal received from the test transmission line and the main signal received from the working transmission line among the signals received from the first optical coupler via the first submarine optical cable; a fourth wavelength selective switch that switches and outputs the supervisory signal received from the test transmission line and the main signal received from the working transmission line among the signals received from the first optical coupler via the second submarine optical cable; a second multiplexer that multiplexes the supervisory signal output from the third wavelength selective switch or the fourth wavelength selective switch and a main signal output from the third wavelength selective switch or the fourth wavelength selective switch, and transmits the multiplexed signal to the transmission line monitoring unit; Includes 3. A fault detection device as described in claim 2. (Appendix 5) A first submarine terminal device; A second submarine terminal device; a second optical coupler that branches and outputs a main signal and the looped-back supervisory signal to the working transmission line and the protection transmission line; a first switch function unit that outputs the looped-back monitoring signal output from the test transmission line to the transmission line monitoring unit, and outputs a main signal output from the working transmission line to the first submarine terminal equipment; Further comprising: the second switch function unit outputs the supervisory signal output from the test transmission line and the main signal output from the working transmission line to the second submarine terminal equipment; the second submarine terminal device loops back the monitoring signal received from the second switch function unit, The transmission line monitoring unit detects a fault in the test transmission line based on the looped-back monitoring signal received from the first switch function unit. 3. A fault detection device as described in claim 2. (Appendix 6) a first cable branching device including the first optical coupler and the first switch function unit; a second cable branching device including the second optical coupler and the second switch function unit; Further comprising: the first optical coupler and the second switch function unit are connected by a first submarine optical cable which can be either one of the working transmission line or the backup transmission line, and a second submarine optical cable which can be the other of the working transmission line or the backup transmission line; The first submarine terminal device includes the transmission line monitoring unit. 6. The fault detection device according to claim 5. (Appendix 7) a second connection between the second submarine terminal device and the second cable branching device includes at least one fourth repeater when the second submarine terminal device does not loop back the monitoring signal; The fourth repeater passes the main signal and the supervisory signal, and loops back the supervisory signal on the second connection. 7. The fault detection apparatus according to claim 6. (Appendix 8) the first submarine optical cable includes at least one first repeater; the second submarine optical cable includes at least one second repeater; the first repeater passes a main signal and the monitor signal, and loops back the monitor signal in the first submarine optical cable; The second repeater passes the main signal and the supervisory signal, and loops back the supervisory signal in the second submarine optical cable. 8. The fault detection device according to claim 6 or 7. (Appendix 9) a second switch function section which outputs a supervisory signal branched to a working transmission line and a protection transmission line and which outputs a supervisory signal output from a test transmission line which is a designated one of the working transmission line and the protection transmission line; A cable branching device comprising: (Appendix 10) The second switch function unit outputs the optical wavelength division multiplexed main signal output from the working transmission line to an output destination different from an output destination of the supervisory signal. 10. The cable branching device according to claim 9. (Appendix 11) The transmission line is branched and output to a working transmission line and a protection transmission line, and a fault in the test transmission line is detected based on a supervisory signal output from a test transmission line that is a designated one of the working transmission line and the protection transmission line. Fault detection methods. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-153411, filed on September 14, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. [Industrial Applicability]

[0146] The present invention can be used in applications for detecting faults in optical transmission systems, including submarine optical cable systems. [Explanation of symbols]

[0147] 100, 103, 105, 107 Fault detection device 201, 205 1st submarine terminal equipment 202 2nd submarine terminal equipment 500 Transmission line monitoring device 301, 303, 305 First cable branching device 302, 304, 306 Second cable branching device 341 First Optical Switch 351 Second Optical Switch 342 Third Optical Switch 352 4th Optical Switch 371 1st Wavelength Selective Switch 381 Second Wavelength Selective Switch 372 3rd Wavelength Selective Switch 382 4th Wavelength Selective Switch 311 First Optical Coupler 312 Second Optical Coupler 401 First Repeater 402 Second Repeater 403 3rd repeater 404 4th Repeater 321 First Filter 322 3rd Filter 331 Second Filter 332 4th Filter 361 1st multiplexer 362 2nd multiplexer 610 First Submarine Optical Cable 620 Second Submarine Optical Cable 395 First switch function part 396, 398 Second switch function part 507 Transmission Line Monitoring Unit

Claims

1. A fault detection device for use in a submarine optical cable system configured using a submarine optical cable having a redundant configuration consisting of a current transmission line and a backup transmission line, comprising: a first optical coupler for branching a supervisory signal transmitted by a terminal device to the working transmission line and the protection transmission line; a second switch function unit that outputs the supervisory signal output from a test transmission line that is selectably designated by a test transmission line designation command out of the working transmission line and the protection transmission line; a transmission line monitoring unit that transmits the test transmission line designation command to the second switch function unit, detects a fault in the test transmission line based on the monitoring signal received from the second switch function unit, and switches between the working transmission line and the protection transmission line when a fault in the working transmission line is detected; Equipped with the first optical coupler and the second switch function unit are connected to each other by the working transmission line and the protection transmission line, Fault detection device.

2. The first optical coupler further receives the supervisory signal and a main signal that is optically wavelength-division multiplexed, The second switch function unit outputs the main signal output from the working transmission line to an output destination different from the transmission line monitoring unit. The fault detection device according to claim 1 .

3. the first optical coupler and the second switch function unit are connected by a first submarine optical cable which can be either one of the working transmission line or the backup transmission line, and a second submarine optical cable which can be the other of the working transmission line or the backup transmission line; The second switch function unit is a third filter that separates the supervisory signal and the main signal from the signals received from the first optical coupler via the first submarine optical cable and outputs the separated signals; a fourth filter that separates the supervisory signal and the main signal from the signals received from the first optical coupler via the second submarine optical cable and outputs the separated signals; a third optical switch that outputs the main signal received from the working transmission line among the main signals output by the third filter or the fourth filter; a fourth optical switch that outputs the supervisory signal received from the test transmission line among the supervisory signals output by the third filter or the fourth filter; a second multiplexer that multiplexes the main signal output from the third optical switch and the monitor signal output from the fourth optical switch and transmits the multiplexed signal to the transmission line monitor; Includes 3. The fault detection device according to claim 2.

4. the first optical coupler and the second switch function unit are connected by a first submarine optical cable which can be either one of the working transmission line or the backup transmission line, and a second submarine optical cable which can be the other of the working transmission line or the backup transmission line; The second switch function unit is a third wavelength selective switch that switches and outputs the supervisory signal received from the test transmission line and the main signal received from the working transmission line among the signals received from the first optical coupler via the first submarine optical cable; a fourth wavelength selective switch that switches and outputs the supervisory signal received from the test transmission line and the main signal received from the working transmission line among the signals received from the first optical coupler via the second submarine optical cable; a second multiplexer that multiplexes the supervisory signal output from the third wavelength selective switch or the fourth wavelength selective switch and the main signal output from the third wavelength selective switch or the fourth wavelength selective switch, and transmits the multiplexed signal to the transmission line monitoring unit; Includes 3. The fault detection device according to claim 2.

5. A first submarine terminal device; A second submarine terminal device; a second optical coupler that branches and outputs the main signal and the looped-back supervisory signal to the working transmission line and the protection transmission line; a first switch function unit that outputs the looped-back monitoring signal output from the test transmission line to the transmission line monitoring unit, and outputs the main signal output from the working transmission line to the first submarine terminal equipment, the second switch function unit outputs the supervisory signal output from the test transmission line and the main signal output from the working transmission line to the second submarine terminal equipment; the second submarine terminal device loops back the monitoring signal received from the second switch function unit, The transmission line monitoring unit detects a fault in the test transmission line based on the looped-back monitoring signal received from the first switch function unit.

3. The fault detection device according to claim 2.

6. a first cable branching device including the first optical coupler and the first switch function unit; a second cable branching device including the second optical coupler and the second switch function unit; Further comprising: the first optical coupler and the second switch function unit are connected by a first submarine optical cable which can be either one of the working transmission line or the backup transmission line, and a second submarine optical cable which can be the other of the working transmission line or the backup transmission line; The first submarine terminal device includes the transmission line monitoring unit.

6. The fault detection device according to claim 5.

7. a second connection between the second submarine terminal device and the second cable branching device includes at least one fourth repeater when the second submarine terminal device does not loop back the monitoring signal; The fourth repeater passes the main signal and the supervisory signal and loops back the supervisory signal on the second connection.

7. The fault detection device according to claim 6.

8. A fault detection method for use in a submarine optical cable system configured using a submarine optical cable having a redundant configuration consisting of a current transmission line and a backup transmission line, comprising: A supervisory signal transmitted by a terminal device is branched and output to the working transmission line and the protection transmission line by a first optical coupler; A test transmission line designation command is sent from the transmission line monitoring unit to the second switch function unit; outputting, from the second switch function unit, a supervisory signal output from a test transmission line that is one of the working transmission line and the protection transmission line that is selectably designated by the test transmission line designation command; a transmission line monitoring unit detects a fault in the test transmission line based on the monitoring signal received from the second switch function unit, and switches between the current transmission line and the protection transmission line when a fault in the current transmission line is detected; Fault detection methods.

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