Optical amplification device, wavelength division system and detection method

Abstract

An optical amplification device, a wavelength division system and a detection method, which relate to the technical field of optical communication, and are used for reducing deployment costs and reducing the deployment complexity. The optical amplification device provided by the present application not only can implement an amplification function for signals of a main optical path, but also can implement an optical fiber detection function, that is, having the function of an OTDR. Specifically, an optical amplification module (such as an SOA) is used to support implementation of the optical amplification function and support the characteristic of transmitting pulsed optical signals. Thus, in scenarios where OTDRs and optical amplifiers need to be used, there is no need to use independent OTDR apparatuses, thus reducing costs and reducing the deployment complexity.

Description

Optical amplification device, wavelength division system and detection method

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on January 17, 2024, with application number 202410071808.2 and application name "An optical amplification device, wavelength division system and detection method", the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of optical communication technology, and in particular to an optical amplification device, a wavelength division system, and a detection method. Background Art

[0004] Optical fibers contain numerous splices, patch cords, and boards, all of which can affect signal transmission quality during use. Typically, an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) is used to assess the transmission characteristics of each fiber location and, in turn, improve fiber quality. The OTDR currently used in wavelength division multiplexing systems is a standalone device that integrates the pulsed optical signal emitted by the OTDR into the main line via a fiber interface unit (FIU) to detect fiber quality and faults.

[0005] Since the current wavelength division system requires the use of independent OTDR equipment, the cost is relatively high.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] The embodiments of the present application provide an optical amplification device, a wavelength division system, and a detection method to reduce deployment costs and deployment complexity.

[0008] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an optical amplification device for use in a wavelength division multiplexing system, comprising a control module, an optical amplification module, and a signal receiving module; wherein the optical amplification module supports operation in a first operating mode and a second operating mode; the control module is configured to control the optical amplification module to operate in the first operating mode or the second operating mode; the optical amplification module is configured to, in the first operating mode, transmit a pulsed optical signal to an optical fiber to be detected in the wavelength division multiplexing system; in the second operating mode, receive a first optical signal transmitted in the wavelength division multiplexing system, amplify the received first optical signal to obtain a second optical signal, and send the second optical signal to the optical fiber; the signal receiving module is configured to receive an echo optical signal of the pulsed optical signal, and detect the optical fiber based on the echo optical signal.

[0009] In embodiments of this application, an optical amplifier device is proposed that not only amplifies signals in the main optical path but also performs optical fiber detection, effectively providing OTDR functionality. Specifically, the optical amplifier module supports both optical amplification and the transmission of pulsed optical signals. This eliminates the need for a separate OTDR device in scenarios requiring both an OTDR and an optical amplifier, reducing costs and deployment complexity.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the control module includes a controller and a driver; the controller is used to send a first control signal to the driver; and the driver is used to output a first current to the optical amplification module according to the first control signal, so that the optical amplification module operates in a first operating mode.

[0011] In the above implementation, the controller and the driver cooperate to output corresponding current to the optical amplification mode, so that the optical amplification module can emit pulsed optical signals, that is, work in the first working mode to realize the function of optical fiber detection.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the controller is further configured to send a second control signal to the driver; the driver is configured to output a second current to the optical amplifier module based on the second control signal, thereby causing the optical amplifier module to operate in a second operating mode. In this implementation, the controller and driver cooperate to output a corresponding current to the optical amplifier module, causing the optical amplifier module to perform an amplification function, i.e., operate in the second operating mode.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: a coupling unit configured to couple the second optical signal to the optical fiber; or

[0014] The pulsed optical signal is coupled to the optical fiber, and the echo optical signal from the optical fiber is coupled to the signal receiving module.

[0015] In the above solution, the first end of the coupling unit is connected to the optical amplifier module, and the second end is connected to the optical fiber, for coupling the second optical signal or the pulsed optical signal to the optical fiber. The third end of the coupling unit is connected to the signal receiving module, for coupling the echo optical signal from the optical fiber to the signal receiving module. Furthermore, in the above solution, if the optical amplifier module is deployed within the wavelength splitting system, the FIU can be eliminated from the wavelength splitting system, reducing costs while improving integration.

[0016] In combination with the above-mentioned implementation, the optical amplifier device changes the current output by the driver through the controller, so that the optical amplifier module emits a pulsed optical signal. That is, the optical amplifier module serves as the transmitting end of the OTDR. The output end of the optical amplifier module is connected to a coupler, one end of the coupler is connected to the optical fiber, and the other end of the coupler is connected to a signal receiving module, which serves as the receiving end of the OTDR.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the coupling unit is a coupler or a circulator.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the optical amplification module is coupled to the optical fiber through a fiber interface unit FIU in the wavelength division system; and the signal receiving module is coupled to the optical fiber through the FIU.

[0019] In the above implementation, there is no need to deploy a coupling unit in the optical amplifier module. By multiplexing the FIU, the FIU is used to combine the pulse optical signals and receive the echo optical signals, which can reduce the deployment complexity of the optical amplifier module.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the optical amplification module is a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA).

[0021] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a detection method, which is applied to the optical amplification device according to the first aspect or any implementation of the first aspect, the method comprising:

[0022] The optical amplifier amplifies the first optical signal transmitted in the wavelength division system to obtain a second optical signal, and sends the second optical signal to the optical fiber coupled to the optical amplifier in the wavelength division system;

[0023] When it is determined that the optical fiber needs to be tested, the optical amplifying device transmits a pulse optical signal to the optical fiber, receives an echo optical signal reflected by the optical fiber in response to the pulse optical signal, and detects the state of the optical fiber according to the echo optical signal.

[0024] In one possible implementation, when the optical amplifying device amplifies the first optical signal transmitted in the wavelength division system, the optical amplifying device is in a second operating mode; the method further includes: when it is determined that the optical fiber needs to be inspected, the optical amplifying device switches from the second operating mode to the first operating mode.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the optical fiber needs to be tested, including: determining whether a break occurs in the optical wave system; or, testing the quality of the optical fiber needs to be tested.

[0026] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a wavelength division system, comprising the optical amplification device described in the first aspect or any implementation of the first aspect.

[0027] Based on the implementations provided in the above aspects, this application can also be further combined to provide more implementations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a light wave system;

[0029] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of an OTDR;

[0030] Figure 3 shows the principle and gain distribution curve of a semiconductor optical amplifier;

[0031] FIG4 is a Fabry-Perot (FP) semiconductor optical amplifier;

[0032] FIG5 is a schematic structural diagram of an optical amplification device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] FIG6 is a schematic structural diagram of another optical amplification device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of another optical amplifying device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of another optical amplifying device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] FIG9 is a schematic structural diagram of another optical amplifying device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of another optical amplifying device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of another optical amplifying device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] FIG12 is a schematic structural diagram of a wave splitting system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] FIG13 is a schematic structural diagram of a wave splitting system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] FIG14 is a flow chart of a detection method provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0043] It should be noted that, in the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" refers to two or more than two. Furthermore, " / " indicates that the objects associated with each other are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" in this application is merely a description of the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three possible relationships can exist. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone. A and B can be singular or plural. Furthermore, to facilitate the clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the embodiments of this application use terms such as "first" and "second" to distinguish between identical or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art will understand that terms such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or order of execution, and do not necessarily define differences. It should also be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the specific description of certain technical features in one embodiment can also be used to explain the corresponding technical features mentioned in other embodiments.

[0044] Fiber optic communication is a communication method that uses light waves as carriers and optical fibers as transmission media.

[0045] Optical fiber is a fiber made of glass or plastic that transmits light based on the principle of total internal reflection of light. If the core's geometric dimensions are much larger than the wavelength of light, multiple propagation modes can occur during transmission. This type of fiber is called multimode fiber. When the core's geometric dimensions are on the same order of magnitude as the wavelength of light (e.g., within the 5-10 μm range), the fiber allows only one mode (the fundamental mode) to propagate, while all other higher-order modes are blocked. This type of fiber is called single-mode fiber.

[0046] Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is used in wavelength division systems. WDM involves combining two or more different wavelengths of light (carrying various information) at the transmitting end through a multiplexer (also called a combiner) and coupling them into the same optical fiber for transmission. At the receiving end, a demultiplexer (also called a wavelength splitter or demultiplexer) separates the various wavelengths of light, which are then further processed by an optical receiver to recover the original signal. This technology of simultaneously transmitting two or more different wavelengths of light through the same optical fiber is called WDM. WDM technology can increase the transmission capacity of optical fibers. In WDM networking, different access points are assigned different wavelengths to carry services.

[0047] Currently, optical fiber quality / fault detection in wavelength division multiplexing systems can be achieved using an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR). Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the application of an OTDR in a wavelength division multiplexing system. A wavelength division multiplexing system includes a wavelength combiner / demultiplexer (WDM), an optical amplifier (OA), an optical line interface unit (FIU), and an OTDR. An optical amplifier, also known as an OA, provides optical signal gain to compensate for the transmission attenuation of the optical signal in the path and increase the system's unrelayed transmission distance. The wavelength combiner / demultiplexer (WDM) can be implemented using an optical add / drop multiplexer (OADM) for wavelength addition and deletion. After receiving an optical signal, the OADM in a node is responsible for separating the optical signal of its own wavelength from the received signal and performing wavelength drop processing. After amplifying the received optical signal except for the optical signal of its own wavelength, the optical amplifier couples the optical signal to the optical fiber through the FIU. At the receiving node, the optical signal is received by the FIU and amplified by the optical amplifier before reaching the receiving node's OADM for wavelength addition and drop processing. A node can also be called a site or network device. Nodes can be used in the core layer, aggregation layer, or access layer.

[0048] As shown in Figure 1, an OTDR injects a pulsed optical signal into the main optical path through the fiber optic unit (FIU) and receives the signal reflected from the optical fiber through the FIU, thereby performing optical fiber testing, such as quality inspection and fault detection. Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a possible OTDR structure. The transmitting end of an OTDR includes a pulsed light source, a driver, and a modulator. The receiving end may include a circulator and a receiver. For example, the receiver may include a receiver optical sub-assembly (ROSA), a signal processor, and a microcontroller unit (MCU). For example, the signal processor may be a multi-chip module (MCM). The transmitting end emits a laser pulse (including a pulsed light source, a driver, and a modulator). For example, the pulsed light source may be a laser. For example, the receiving end uses a circulator to receive the signal reflected from the optical fiber. The signal enters the receiving end's ROSA for optical-to-electrical signal conversion. After signal processing by the signal processor, the MCU identifies the fault location. For example, by measuring the propagation time of the laser pulse in the optical fiber network, the length of the optical cable and the distance attenuation in the cable can be measured. For example, the insertion loss, attenuation and other parameters in the optical cable can be measured by measuring the reflection intensity of the signal in the optical cable and the change in the reflection intensity.

[0049] In current WDM systems, independent OTDRs are used to perform fiber inspection, which results in high costs and increases deployment complexity.

[0050] In embodiments of the present application, OTDR functionality is multiplexed within other optical devices, achieving OTDR functionality while reducing deployment costs and complexity. Embodiments of the present application provide an optical amplifier device, a wavelength division multiplexing system, and a detection method. By multiplexing OTDR functionality within an optical amplifier (OA), integrating OTDR functionality within the OA, and reusing the OA hardware to transmit pulses as the OTDR's transmission source, the OA hardware is added to the OA for receiving end detection, thereby enabling the OA to perform OTDR functions.

[0051] Before describing the solutions provided in the embodiments of this application in detail, the operating principle of an optical amplifier will be described. The operating principle of a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) is used as an example. Other optical amplifiers capable of pulsed emission are also applicable to this application.

[0052] The semiconductor optical amplifier amplifies the incident light signal by stimulated emission, and its mechanism is the same as that of the semiconductor laser. SOA is a semiconductor laser without feedback. Its core is that when the semiconductor optical amplifier is pumped by light or electricity, the particle number is inverted to obtain optical gain, as shown in Figure 3 (a). Figure 3 (a) shows a traveling wave semiconductor optical amplifier. The SOA gain distribution curve g(ν) and the corresponding amplifier gain spectrum curve G(ν) are shown in Figure 3 (b). In Figure 3, L represents the length of the SOA. Z represents the distance, Δν g Represents the gain bandwidth. Δν A represents the amplifier bandwidth.

[0053] However, SOAs exhibit reflections at the cleavage plane (reflection coefficient R is approximately 32%), resulting in significant feedback. When the bias current is below the threshold, they can be used as semiconductor optical amplifiers, but multiple reflections at the Fabry-Perot (FP) cavity interface must be considered, as shown in Figure 4(a). This type of semiconductor optical amplifier can be referred to as an FP amplifier.

[0054] When R=R1=R2, and considering the light frequency ν=ν m When , the FP interference theory can be used to calculate the amplifier's amplification factor (i.e., gain) G FPA (ν) satisfies the conditions shown in the following formula (1). ν m is the cavity resonant frequency. R1 and R2 are the reflectivities of the cavity cleavage surface. G(v) is the single-pass gain when the light wave is transmitted only once.

[0055] When the frequency of the incident light signal ν s and the cavity resonance frequency ν m When ν is equal to ν, the gain GFPA(ν) reaches its peak value. s Deviation ν m When the reflectivity is increased, GFPA(ν) decreases rapidly, as shown in Figure 4(b). Figure 4(b) shows the gain spectrum curves for different reflectivities of the SOA. As shown in Figure 4, when the reflectivity between the semiconductor cleavage plane and air is R = 0.32, the FP amplifier has the highest peak at the resonant frequency. The lower the reflectivity, the smaller the gain. When R = 0, the semiconductor laser becomes a semiconductor traveling-wave optical amplifier, and its gain spectrum characteristic is a Gaussian curve.

[0056] From the above discussion, we can see that increasing the reflectivity R of the FP resonant cavity that provides optical feedback can significantly increase the gain of the SOA. The greater the reflectivity R, the greater the gain at the resonant frequency. However, when R exceeds a certain value, the semiconductor optical amplifier will become a semiconductor laser. When GR = 1, equation (1) becomes infinite, and the SOA generates laser emission, i.e., it acts as a semiconductor laser.

[0057] Referring to Figure 5, there is shown a schematic diagram of the structure of an optical amplifying device 500 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The optical amplifying device 500 includes a control module 510, an optical amplifying module 520, and a signal receiving module 530. The optical amplifying module 520 supports operation in two operating modes, which are respectively referred to as a first operating mode and a second operating mode for the convenience of distinguishing the two operating modes. In the first operating mode, the optical amplifying module 520 acts as a laser transmitter, performs the function of a laser transmitter, and can emit pulsed optical signals. In the second operating mode, the optical amplifying module 520 acts as an optical amplifier, performs the function of an optical amplifier. The control module 510 controls the optical amplifying module to operate in the first operating mode or in the second operating mode.

[0058] For the first working mode:

[0059] Control module 510 controls the optical amplifier module to operate in a first operating mode. In this first operating mode, optical amplifier module 520 transmits a pulsed optical signal to the optical fiber to be tested in the wavelength division multiplexing system. Signal receiving module 530 receives the echo optical signal reflected by the optical fiber in response to the pulsed optical signal and performs optical fiber testing based on the echo optical signal. For example, this can be used to detect the location of a fiber fault. Another example is measuring the propagation time of a pulsed optical signal in an optical fiber network to measure the length of the optical cable and the attenuation distance within the cable. Furthermore, by measuring the reflection intensity of the signal in the optical cable and changes in the reflection intensity, parameters such as insertion loss and attenuation within the cable can be measured.

[0060] For the second working mode:

[0061] Control module 510 controls the optical amplifier module to operate in a second operating mode. In this second operating mode, optical amplifier module 520 receives a first optical signal transmitted in the wavelength division multiplexing system, amplifies the received first optical signal to generate a second optical signal, and transmits the second optical signal to the optical fiber. In this second operating mode, optical amplifier module 520 functions as an optical amplifier in the main optical path.

[0062] The present invention proposes an optical amplifier device that not only amplifies signals on the main optical path but also performs optical fiber detection, i.e., OTDR functions. This eliminates the need for a separate OTDR device in scenarios where both an OTDR and an optical amplifier are required, reducing costs and deployment complexity.

[0063] The structure of the control module 510 is described in detail below.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 6 , the control module 510 includes a controller 511 and a driver 512 .

[0065] In a possible implementation, for the first working mode:

[0066] Controller 511 sends a first control signal to driver 512. Driver 512 outputs a first current to optical amplifier module 520 based on the first control signal, causing optical amplifier module 520 to operate in a first operating mode. After receiving the first current, optical amplifier module 520 transmits a pulsed optical signal to the optical fiber to be tested in the wavelength division multiplexing system. Signal receiving module 530 receives an echo optical signal reflected by the optical fiber in response to the pulsed optical signal and performs optical fiber testing based on the echo optical signal.

[0067] In another possible implementation, for the second working mode:

[0068] Controller 511 sends a second control signal to the driver. Driver 512 outputs a second current to optical amplifier module 520 based on the second control signal, causing optical amplifier module 520 to operate in the second operating mode. After receiving the second current, optical amplifier module 520 amplifies the first optical signal transmitted by the wavelength division multiplexing system to generate a second optical signal, and then transmits the second optical signal to the optical fiber.

[0069] Optionally, the controller 511 may be one or more integrated circuits such as a microcontroller unit (MCU) and a central processing unit (CPU) for implementing the functions of the controller 511 , which is not specifically limited here.

[0070] The structure of the signal receiving module 530 is described in detail below.

[0071] As shown in Figure 7, signal receiving module 530 may include a detector 531 and a signal processor 532. Detector 531 may be a photodetector, configured to perform photoelectric conversion on the received echo optical signal. Signal processor 532 can detect the location of optical fiber faults based on the electrical signal generated by the photoelectric conversion. Alternatively, it can measure the propagation time of a pulsed optical signal in the optical fiber network to determine the length of the optical cable and the distance attenuated by the cable. Alternatively, it can measure the reflection intensity of the signal in the optical cable, as well as changes in the reflection intensity, to measure parameters such as insertion loss and attenuation.

[0072] The signal processor 532 may be an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA) chip, etc., which can process electrical signals. The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the type of device used by the signal processor 532.

[0073] In one possible embodiment, as shown in FIG8 , the optical amplification device 500 may further include a coupling unit 540. For example, the coupling unit 540 may be a device for signal coupling, such as a circulator or a coupler, though the specifics are not limited herein. In one aspect, the coupling unit 540 may couple the pulsed optical signal to the optical fiber and couple the echoed optical signal from the optical fiber to the signal receiving module 530. In another aspect, the coupling unit 540 may couple a second optical signal to the optical fiber.

[0074] In some embodiments, the optical amplifier module 520 can be an SOA, or other optical amplifier that supports amplification and transmission of pulsed optical signals. Referring to FIG9 , the optical amplifier module 520 is an SOA as an example, and the coupling unit 540 is a coupler as an example. After the SOA integrates the OTDR function, the principle of executing the OTDR function is as follows: the controller 511 controls the current emitted by the driver 512 to enable the SOA to output a pulsed optical signal. When the pulsed optical signal is injected into the optical fiber through a coupler and transmitted along the optical fiber, a small part of the energy of the pulsed optical signal is reflected back from some points on the optical fiber. The reflected signal is input to the signal receiving module 530 through the coupler, and finally processed and calculated in the signal receiving module 530 to obtain information such as the optical fiber length and the location of the breakpoint, thereby completing the OTDR detection function.

[0075] In another possible implementation, to achieve signal coupling, the FIU in the current wavelength division multiplexing system can be reused, and the coupler (or circulator) in the optical amplifier device 500 can be removed. The FIU can then be used to combine the pulsed optical signals and receive the reflected signals. As shown in Figure 10 , the optical amplifier module 520 is coupled to the optical fiber via the fiber interface unit (FIU) in the wavelength division multiplexing system; the signal receiving module 530 is also coupled to the optical fiber via the FIU. The controller 511 controls the current generated by the driver 512 to cause the optical amplifier module 520 to output a pulsed optical signal. When the pulsed optical signal is injected into the optical fiber via the FIU and transmitted along the fiber, a small portion of the energy of the pulsed optical signal is reflected from certain points on the fiber. The reflected signal is then input into the signal receiving module 530 through the FIU. Finally, the signal receiving module 530 processes and calculates information to obtain information such as the fiber length and the location of the breakpoint, completing the OTDR detection function.

[0076] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a possible optical amplifier device provided in an embodiment of the present application. FIG11 illustrates an example of an optical amplifier module 520 being an SOA. A controller 511 controls the current emitted by a driver 512 to cause the SOA to output a pulsed optical signal. When the pulsed optical signal is injected into an optical fiber via an optical fiber unit (FIU) and transmitted along the fiber, a small portion of the energy of the pulsed optical signal is reflected from certain points on the fiber. The reflected signal is then input into a detector 531 via the FIU. Finally, the signal is processed and calculated in a signal processor 532 to obtain information such as the fiber length and the location of the breakpoint, completing the OTDR's detection function.

[0077] In the embodiment of the present application, the function of OTDR can be integrated into an optical amplifier (such as SOA), and the hardware device of SOA is reused to transmit a pulse light as the emission source of OTDR. Then, an OTDR receiving end detection device is added to the SOA module to realize the function of OTDR in SOA, which is low in cost and high in integration.

[0078] The optical amplifier device provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a wavelength division multiplexing system. The optical amplifier device amplifies a first optical signal transmitted in the wavelength division multiplexing system to generate a second optical signal, and transmits the second optical signal to an optical fiber coupled to the optical amplifier device in the wavelength division multiplexing system. When it is determined that the optical fiber needs to be inspected, the optical amplifier device transmits a pulsed optical signal into the optical fiber, receives an echo optical signal reflected from the optical fiber in response to the pulsed optical signal, and inspects the optical fiber based on the echo optical signal.

[0079] In a possible implementation, see FIG12 for a schematic diagram of the structure of the wavelength division system provided in an embodiment of the present application. The optical amplifying device in FIG12 takes the structure shown in FIG9 as an example, and the wavelength division system also includes a combiner / demultiplexer for performing wave adding and dropping operations. In FIG12, the first end of the coupler is connected to the optical amplifying module, and the second end is connected to the optical fiber, which is used to couple the second optical signal to the optical fiber or couple the pulse optical signal to the optical fiber. The third end of the coupling unit is connected to the signal receiving module, which is used to couple the echo optical signal from the optical fiber to the signal receiving module. In addition, in the above scheme, when the optical amplifying module is deployed in the wavelength division system, the FIU does not need to be deployed for the wavelength division system, which reduces costs while improving integration.

[0080] In one possible implementation, see Figure 13, which shows a schematic diagram of the wavelength division system structure provided by an embodiment of the present application. The optical amplification device in Figure 13 uses the structure shown in Figure 11 as an example. The wavelength division system also includes a combiner / demultiplexer for performing wavelength addition and deletion operations. In Figure 13, the first end of the FIU is connected to the optical amplification module, and the second end is connected to the optical fiber for coupling the second optical signal to the optical fiber or coupling the pulsed optical signal to the optical fiber. The third end of the FIU is connected to the signal receiving module for coupling the echo optical signal from the optical fiber to the signal receiving module.

[0081] In the embodiments of the present application, the wavelength combiner / demultiplexer may be an OADM, or a reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM), a fixed optical add-drop multiplexer (FOADM), a reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM), or a reconfigurable OADM, also known as a tunable OADM (T-OADM). The wavelength combiner / demultiplexer may also be other devices for adding and dropping wavelengths, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0082] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a detection method, as shown in FIG14 , the detection method includes S1401 and S1402 .

[0083] S1401: An optical amplifier amplifies a first optical signal transmitted in a wavelength division system to obtain a second optical signal, and sends the second optical signal to an optical fiber coupled to the optical amplifier in the wavelength division system.

[0084] S1402: When it is determined that the optical fiber needs to be tested, the optical amplifier device transmits a pulse optical signal to the optical fiber, receives an echo optical signal reflected by the optical fiber in response to the pulse optical signal, and detects the state of the optical fiber according to the echo optical signal.

[0085] In a possible implementation, when the optical amplifier device amplifies the first optical signal transmitted in the wavelength division system, the optical amplifier device is in the second operating mode; when it is determined that the optical fiber needs to be tested, the optical amplifier device switches from the second operating mode to the first operating mode.

[0086] In a possible implementation, the optical fiber needs to be inspected, which may include: determining whether a break occurs in the optical wave system; or inspecting the quality of the optical fiber.

[0087] It should be noted that the detection method in the present application can be implemented based on the structure of any one of the optical amplification devices shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 11 .

[0088] It should be noted that the above embodiments are intended only to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application and are not intended to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they may still modify the technical solutions described in the above embodiments or replace some of the technical features therein with equivalents; and such modifications or replacements do not deviate from the essence of the corresponding technical solutions within the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. An optical amplification device, characterized in that, Applied in a wavelength division system, it includes a control module, an optical amplification module, and a signal receiving module; wherein, the optical amplification module supports operating in a first operating mode to implement the function of optical fiber detection and in a second operating mode to implement the optical amplification function; The control module is used to control the optical amplification module to operate in the first operating mode or in the second operating mode; The optical amplification module is used to, in the first operating mode, emit a pulsed optical signal to the optical fiber to be detected in the wavelength division system; in the second operating mode, receive the first optical signal transmitted in the wavelength division system, amplify the received first optical signal to obtain a second optical signal, and send the second optical signal to the optical fiber; The signal receiving module is used to receive the reflected optical signal of the pulsed optical signal and detect the optical fiber according to the reflected optical signal.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control module includes a controller and a driver; The controller is used to send a first control signal to the driver; The driver is used to output a first current to the optical amplification module according to the first control signal so that the optical amplification module operates in the first operating mode.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein, The controller is further used to send a second control signal to the driver; The driver is used to output a second current to the optical amplification module according to the second control signal so that the optical amplification module operates in the second operating mode.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that It further includes: A coupling unit, which is used for: Coupling the second optical signal to the optical fiber; or, Coupling the pulsed optical signal to the optical fiber and coupling the reflected optical signal from the optical fiber to the signal receiving module.

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The coupling unit is a coupler or a circulator.

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The optical amplification module is coupled to the optical fiber through a fiber interface unit FIU in the wavelength division system; The signal receiving module is coupled to the optical fiber through the FIU.

7. The device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The optical amplification module is a semiconductor optical amplifier SOA.

8. A detection method, characterized in that, Applied to the optical amplification device according to any one of claims 1-7, the method includes: The optical amplification device amplifies the first optical signal transmitted in the wavelength division system to obtain a second optical signal, and sends the second optical signal to the optical fiber coupled to the optical amplification device in the wavelength division system; When it is determined that the optical fiber needs to be detected, the optical amplification device emits a pulsed optical signal to the optical fiber, receives the reflected optical signal reflected by the optical fiber for the pulsed optical signal, and detects the state of the optical fiber according to the reflected optical signal.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein When the optical amplification device amplifies the first optical signal transmitted in the wavelength division system, the optical amplification device is in the second operating mode; the method further includes: When it is determined that the optical fiber needs to be detected, the optical amplification device switches from the second operating mode to the first operating mode.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, Needing to detect the optical fiber includes: Determining that the optical wave system is open-circuited; or, Needing to detect the quality of the optical fiber.

11. A wavelength division system, characterized in that, It includes the optical amplification device according to any one of claims 1-7.

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