Optical device, optical communication network, and method for detecting position of reflection point in optical link

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide an optical device, an optical communication network, and a method for detecting the position of a reflection point in an optical link, aiming to improve the quality of optical communication. The specific solution is as follows: the optical device comprises an optical transmitter, a first light splitting unit, and a reflection unit; the optical transmitter emits first signal light; the first light splitting unit transmits the first signal light, and further splits second signal light into a first light beam and a second light beam, wherein the second signal light is at least part of the first signal light reflected by a first optical link; the reflection unit reflects the first light beam back to the first light splitting unit; the first light splitting unit further transmits the light beam outputted by the reflection unit; a characteristic peak of the light beam outputted by the first light splitting unit is detected, the reflectivity of the reflection unit is changed to update the characteristic peak, and the characteristic peak having varying peak intensity is analyzed to obtain the distance between the reflection unit and a reflection point, so as to obtain the position of the reflection point in the optical link. Repair or replacement of the reflection point can effectively improve the communication quality of the optical link.

Description

Methods for detecting the location of reflection points in optical devices, optical communication networks, and optical links

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411755245.5, filed on November 28, 2024, entitled “Method for Detecting the Position of Reflection Points in Optical Devices, Optical Communication Networks and Optical Links”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of optical communication, and in particular to a method for detecting the position of reflection points in optical devices, optical communication networks, and optical links. Background Technology

[0003] Optical communication systems are commonly used communication systems, and their communication quality is affected by multiple factors. For example, multipath interference (MPI) is one of the factors that degrades optical communication systems.

[0004] Optical modules and other optical devices are crucial structures in optical communication systems, and their performance directly impacts the overall system performance. Optimizing the performance of optical devices is a key challenge that current optical communication systems need to address. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a method for detecting the location of reflection points in optical devices, optical communication networks, and optical links, aiming to improve the quality of optical communication.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution.

[0007] In a first aspect, this application provides an optical device. The optical device includes a light emitter, a first beam splitter, and a reflector. The light emitter emits a first signal light. The first beam splitter transmits the first signal light to a first optical link, and further splits a second signal light into a first beam and a second beam. The second signal light is at least a portion of the first signal light reflected by the first optical link. The reflector reflects the first beam back to the first beam splitter; the first beam splitter also transmits the beam output by the reflector.

[0008] In this way, the optical device splits the second signal light reflected in the first optical link, and then, after being reflected by the first reflection unit, it passes through the first splitting unit again and returns to the first optical link. A reflected signal light is formed between the first reflection unit and a reflection point in the first optical link. By analyzing this reflected signal light, the distance between the first reflection unit and the reflection point can be obtained, thereby determining the location of the reflection point in the first optical link. This optical device contributes to locating the reflection point in the first optical link, and is particularly helpful in locating reflection points with high reflectivity. Repairing or replacing this reflection point can effectively improve the communication quality of the first optical link.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some feasible embodiments, the optical device further includes: a first power regulator. The first power regulator is used to adjust the power of the first beam before outputting it. The reflection unit is used to reflect the beam output by the first power regulator back to the first beam splitting unit.

[0010] Therefore, the reflectivity can be adjusted by the first power regulator to determine the characteristic peak associated with the first reflective unit, thereby identifying the location of the reflection point with high reflectivity. This facilitates the rapid identification of the location of the reflection point with high reflectivity in the first optical link, and repairing or replacing the reflection point with high reflectivity can improve the communication quality of optical communication.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some feasible embodiments, the reflecting unit is used to reflect the beam output from the first power regulator back to the first power regulator. The first power regulator is also used to adjust the power of the beam output from the reflecting unit and output it to the first beam splitting unit.

[0012] Thus, the first power regulator adjusts the beam power twice, increasing the variable of beam power and making the ratio of the power of the beam output from the first power regulator to the power of the first beam splitter to the power of the first beam itself greater.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some feasible embodiments, the reflecting unit includes a second beam splitting unit and an optical waveguide. Both ends of the optical waveguide are connected to the second beam splitting unit; the second beam splitting unit is used to split the received beam to output a first sub-beam and a second sub-beam. The optical waveguide is used to transmit the first sub-beam back to the second beam splitting unit; and to transmit the second sub-beam back to the second beam splitting unit. The second beam splitting unit is also used to combine the first and second sub-beams and output them to the first beam splitting unit.

[0014] Thus, by changing the transmission direction of the beam through the second beam splitting unit and the optical waveguide, the reflection effect is achieved.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some feasible embodiments, the optical device further includes a second power regulator. This second power regulator is formed on the optical waveguide using a doping process.

[0016] Thus, the second power regulator can adjust the power of the first sub-beam and the second sub-beam transmitted on the optical waveguide. This allows adjustment of the ratio of the power of the beam output from the first power regulator to the first beam splitter to the power of the first beam.

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some feasible embodiments, the optical device further includes a third beam splitting unit, a fourth beam splitting unit, a first phase modulator, and an optical dissipation element. The third beam splitting unit includes a first branch, a second branch, and a first port. The fourth beam splitting unit includes a third branch, a fourth branch, a second port, and a third port; the first branch and the third branch are connected, and the second branch and the fourth branch are connected. The first phase modulator is disposed on the first branch. The optical dissipation element is used to dissipate the beam output from the second port. The first port is used to receive the beam. The second port or the third port is used to output the beam received by the fourth beam splitting unit. The reflection unit is used to reflect the beam output from the third port back to the third port. The first port is also used to transmit the beam entering the fourth beam splitting unit from the third port to the first beam splitting unit.

[0018] In this way, the third and fourth beam splitting units, the first phase modulator, and the optical dissipation element can adjust the reflectivity of the first reflection unit. This is beneficial for locating the reflection point in the first optical link, thus contributing to improved optical communication quality.

[0019] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some feasible embodiments, the optical device further includes: a third power regulator. The third power regulator is used to adjust the power of the beam output from the third port before outputting it. The reflecting unit is used to reflect the beam output from the third power regulator back to the third power regulator; the third power regulator is also used to adjust the power of the beam from the reflecting unit before outputting it to the third port.

[0020] Thus, the third power regulator can further adjust the reflectivity of the first reflecting unit. This contributes to determining the location of the reflection point in the first optical link, which is beneficial to improving the quality of optical communication.

[0021] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some feasible implementations, the optical device further includes a detector and a processor. The detector is used to detect multiple characteristic peaks of the light beam in the second optical link. One characteristic peak indicates the reflection characteristic between any two reflectors among the multiple reflectors in the second optical link, or the reflection characteristic between the reflecting optical element and one of the multiple reflectors. The processor is used to determine a target characteristic peak associated with the reflecting optical element from the multiple characteristic peaks and to obtain the position of the reflector corresponding to the target characteristic peak in the second optical link. The second optical link has an identifier that indicates the position of the reflecting optical element.

[0022] In this way, the first optical device can receive the optical signal emitted from the opposite side of the optical transmitter and determine the position of the reflector in the second optical link. This contributes to the maintenance of the second optical link and helps improve the optical communication quality of the second optical link.

[0023] Optical devices can simultaneously transmit a first signal light to the first optical link and detect the reflector in the second optical link, giving them multiple functions and increasing their integration.

[0024] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some feasible ways, the processor is specifically configured to: adjust the reflectivity of the reflective optical element from a first value to a second value, and update the plurality of characteristic peaks. The characteristic peak corresponding to the first characteristic peak among the updated plurality of characteristic peaks is determined as the target characteristic peak, the intensity of which is the same as the characteristic peak before the update, and differs from the intensity of the first characteristic peak.

[0025] Thus, by adjusting the reflectivity of the reflecting optical element, the target characteristic peak associated with the reflecting optical element can be obtained. Even if there are multiple reflective parts in the second optical link, the target characteristic peak does not include the target characteristic peak that is not associated with the reflecting optical element. The positions of multiple reflective parts in the second optical link can be obtained through the target characteristic peak.

[0026] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some feasible ways, the first optical link and the second optical link share at least a portion of the optical path. This increases integration, reduces the number of components, and lowers costs.

[0027] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some feasible ways, the first beam splitting unit includes a multimode interference coupler.

[0028] Secondly, this application provides an optical device. The optical device includes a first beam splitter, a reflector, and an optical receiver. The first beam splitter receives a first signal light and outputs a first beam and a second beam. The reflector reflects the first beam back to the first beam splitter. The optical receiver receives the second beam and a third beam. The third beam is a beam that, after being output from the reflector, sequentially passes through the first beam splitter, is reflected by an optical link, and then passes through the first beam splitter again.

[0029] Therefore, when there is a reflection point in the optical link from which the signal light is transmitted to the optical receiver, a reflection signal will be formed between the reflection point and the second reflection unit. By analyzing this reflection signal, the distance between the reflection point and the second reflection unit can be obtained, thereby obtaining the location of the reflection point in the optical link. Repairing or replacing the reflection point can effectively improve the communication quality of the optical link.

[0030] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some feasible embodiments, the optical device further includes: a first power regulator. The first power regulator is used to adjust the power of the first beam before outputting it. The reflection unit is used to reflect the beam output by the first power regulator back to the first beam splitter.

[0031] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some feasible embodiments, the reflecting unit is used to reflect the beam output from the first power regulator back to the first power regulator. The first power regulator is also used to adjust the power of the beam output from the reflecting unit and output it to the first beam splitting unit.

[0032] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some feasible implementations, the reflecting unit includes a second beam splitting unit and an optical waveguide. Both ends of the optical waveguide are connected to the second beam splitting unit; the second beam splitting unit is used to split the received beam to output a first sub-beam and a second sub-beam. The optical waveguide is used to transmit the first sub-beam back to the second beam splitting unit; and to transmit the second sub-beam back to the second beam splitting unit. The second beam splitting unit is also used to combine the first and second sub-beams and output them to the first beam splitting unit.

[0033] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some feasible embodiments, the optical device further includes a second power regulator. The second power regulator is disposed within the optical waveguide.

[0034] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some feasible embodiments, the optical device further includes a third beam splitting unit, a fourth beam splitting unit, a first phase modulator, and an optical dissipation element. The third beam splitting unit includes a first branch, a second branch, and a first port. The fourth beam splitting unit includes a third branch, a fourth branch, a second port, and a third port; the first branch and the third branch are connected, and the second branch and the fourth branch are connected. The first phase modulator is disposed on the first branch. The optical dissipation element is used to dissipate the beam output from the second port. The first port is used to receive the beam. The second port or the third port is used to output the beam received by the fourth beam splitting unit. The reflection unit is used to reflect the beam output from the third port back to the third port. The first port is also used to transmit the beam entering the fourth beam splitting unit from the third port to the first beam splitting unit.

[0035] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some feasible embodiments, the optical device further includes a third power regulator. The third power regulator is used to adjust the power of the beam output from the third port before outputting it. The reflecting unit is used to reflect the beam output from the third power regulator back to the third power regulator; the third power regulator is also used to adjust the power of the beam from the reflecting unit before outputting it to the third port.

[0036] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some feasible implementations, the optical device further includes a housing, a detector, and a processor, wherein the detector, processor, light emitter, first beam splitter, and reflector are all disposed within the housing. The detector is used to detect multiple characteristic peaks of the light beam in the optical link. One characteristic peak indicates the reflection characteristic between any two reflection points among the multiple reflection points in the optical link, or the reflection characteristic between the reflector and one of the multiple reflection points. The processor is used to determine a target characteristic peak associated with the reflector from the multiple characteristic peaks and obtain the position of the reflection point corresponding to the target characteristic peak in the optical link. The second optical link has an identifier that indicates the position of the reflector.

[0037] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementable methods, the processor is specifically configured to: adjust the reflectivity of the reflective unit from a first value to a second value, and update the plurality of characteristic peaks. The characteristic peak with the same time delay as the first characteristic peak among the updated plurality of characteristic peaks is designated as the target characteristic peak, the intensity of which is the same as the characteristic peak before the update, and differs from the intensity of the first characteristic peak.

[0038] Thirdly, this application provides an optical communication network. The optical communication network includes a first optical link and any of the optical devices described in the first aspect. A first beam splitter in any of the optical devices described in the first aspect is connected to the first optical link. The first optical link is used to transmit the beam output by the first beam splitter.

[0039] Fourthly, this application provides an optical communication network. The optical communication network includes an optical link and any of the optical devices described in the second aspect above. The optical link is connected to a first beam splitter. The first beam splitter in any of the optical devices described in the second aspect above is used to receive a light beam from the optical link.

[0040] Fifthly, this application provides an optical communication network. The optical communication network includes an optical transmitter, a beam splitter, an optical link, a reflector, and a receiver. The optical transmitter outputs a first signal light. The beam splitter transmits the first signal light and further splits a second signal light into a first beam and a second beam; the second signal light is at least a portion of the first signal light reflected by the optical link. The reflector reflects the first beam back to the first beam splitter. The beam splitter also transmits the beam output by the reflector. The optical link transmits the beam. The receiver receives the beam output by the beam splitter.

[0041] Sixthly, this application provides a method for detecting the position of a reflection point in an optical link. The optical link includes a beam splitting unit, a reflection unit, and multiple reflection points. One of the reflection points is used to reflect a portion of a first signal light to output a second signal light. The beam splitting unit is used to split the second signal light into a first beam and a second beam. The reflection unit is used to reflect the first beam back to the beam splitting unit; the beam splitting unit is also used to transmit the first signal light and the beam output by the reflection unit. The method for detecting the position of a reflection point in the optical link includes: acquiring multiple characteristic peaks of the beam output by the beam splitting unit. One characteristic peak is used to indicate the reflection characteristics between the reflection unit and one of the multiple reflection points, or the reflection characteristics between any two of the multiple reflection points. A target characteristic peak associated with the reflectivity of the reflection unit is determined from the multiple characteristic peaks. The position of the reflection point corresponding to the target characteristic peak in the optical link is obtained.

[0042] In this way, the method can determine the location of reflection points in the optical link. These reflection points can then be replaced or repaired to reduce their reflectivity, thus mitigating multipath interference and optimizing the communication quality of the optical link.

[0043] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in some feasible implementations, the optical link further includes a power regulator. Determining a target characteristic peak associated with the reflectivity of the reflecting unit from the plurality of characteristic peaks includes: adjusting the reflectivity of the reflecting unit from a first value to a second value using the power regulator, and updating the plurality of characteristic peaks. The characteristic peak with the same time delay as the first characteristic peak among the updated plurality of characteristic peaks is designated as the target characteristic peak, and the intensity of the target characteristic peak is the same as the characteristic peak before the update, but different from the intensity of the first characteristic peak.

[0044] Thus, in embodiments with a large number of reflection points in the optical link, the characteristic peaks associated with the reflection units can be determined by adjusting the reflectivity of the reflection units, thereby obtaining the location of the reflection points and helping to optimize the communication quality of the optical link.

[0045] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a computing device, implement any of the methods provided in the sixth aspect above.

[0046] Eighthly, this application provides a computer program product, including a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed by a computing device, they implement any of the methods provided in the sixth aspect above.

[0047] Regarding the beneficial effects of the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth aspects, please refer to the description of any optional implementation method in the first aspect, which will not be repeated here. Based on the implementation methods provided in the above aspects, this application can also be further combined to provide more implementation methods. Attached Figure Description

[0048] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an optical communication network.

[0049] Figure 2a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first optical device and a first optical link provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0050] Figure 2b is a schematic diagram of a first optical device, a first optical link, and a second optical link provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0051] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first reflective unit provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0052] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first optical device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0053] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of another first optical device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0054] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of another first optical device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0055] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another first optical device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0056] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second optical device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0057] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an optical communication network provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0058] Figure 10 is a diagram of the method for detecting the position of a reflection point in an optical link provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0059] Figure 11 is a flowchart of one method of S2 in Figure 10 above.

[0060] Figure 12 shows the spectra of several characteristic peaks before and after the update.

[0061] In the diagram: 10-Optical communication network; 11-First communication device; 12-Second communication device; 20-First optical device; 30-First optical link; 40-Second optical device; f1-First beam; f2-Second beam; 50-Second optical link; 31-Fiber optic cable; 32-Fiber optic connector; 33-Connection part; 301-Reflection point; 201-First beam splitting unit; 202-Second beam splitting unit; 203-Third beam splitting unit; 204-Fourth beam splitting unit; g1-First signal light; g2-Second signal light; g3-Reflected signal light; 300-First reflection unit; 110-Optical transmitter; 401-Detector; 402-Processor; 52-Reflecting optical element; 53-Fifth beam splitting unit; 51-Reflection part; s1-First sub-beam; s2-Second sub-beam; 310-Optical waveguide; 410-First optical component; Power regulator; 420-Second power regulator; 430-Third power regulator; 102-Optical dissipation element; 501-First phase regulator; 502-Second phase regulator; 203-Third beam splitter; 204-Fourth beam splitter; 210-First branch; 220-Second branch; 2031-First port; 230-Third branch; 240-Fourth branch; 2041-Second port; 2042-Third port; 601-First monitoring photodetector; 602-Second monitoring photodetector; 120-Optical receiver; 150-Filter; h1-First beam; h2-Second beam; h3-Third beam; 41-Sixth beam splitter; 42-Second reflection unit; 43-Optical receiver; 01-Optical communication network; 04-Reflection unit; 02-Beam splitter; 03-Optical link. Detailed Implementation

[0062] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.

[0063] Hereinafter, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature.

[0064] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, directional terms such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "horizontal," and "vertical" are defined relative to the orientation of the components shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these directional terms are relative concepts, used for relative description and clarification, and can change accordingly depending on the orientation of the components in the accompanying drawings.

[0065] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the term "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, an electrical connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium.

[0066] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an optical communication network 10. Referring to Figure 1, the optical communication network 10 includes: a first optical link 30, a first communication device 11, and a second communication device 12. The first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12 are connected through the first optical link 30.

[0067] The optical communication network 10 may further include at least two optical devices, one of which is disposed in the first communication device 11, and the other of which is disposed in the second communication device 12. For ease of distinction, the optical device in the first communication device 11 will be referred to as the first optical device 20, and the optical device in the second communication device 12 will be referred to as the second optical device 40.

[0068] For example, the first communication device 11 includes a housing and the aforementioned first optical device 20. The second communication device 12 includes a housing and the aforementioned second optical device 40. The two ends of the first optical link 30 are respectively connected to the first optical device 20 and the second optical device 40. The first optical link 30 is used to transmit signal light from the first optical device 20 to the second optical device 40.

[0069] In some embodiments, the first optical device 20 includes a transmitter (TX) (e.g., an optical transmitter described below). The first optical device 20 can be considered as an optical transmitting device. The second optical device 40 includes a receiver (RX) (e.g., an optical receiver described below). The second optical device 40 can be considered as an optical receiving device. The transmitter of the first optical device 20 is interconnected with the receiver of the second optical device 40 via a first optical link 30.

[0070] In some embodiments, the first optical device 20 may further include a receiver, and the first optical device 20 can be considered as an optical transceiver. Similarly, in some embodiments, the second optical device 40 may further include a transmitter, and the second optical device 40 can be considered as an optical transceiver. Thus, the first optical link 30 is used to transmit optical signals transmitted from the first communication device 11 to the second communication device 12, and the first optical link 30 is also used to transmit optical signals transmitted from the second communication device 12 to the first communication device 11.

[0071] In some embodiments of this application, the optical communication network 10 may further include a second optical link, and the first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12 are also connected through the second optical link. The first optical link 30 is used to transmit optical signals transmitted from the first communication device 11 to the second communication device 12, and the second optical link is used to transmit optical signals transmitted from the second communication device 12 to the first communication device 11.

[0072] In addition, in some embodiments of this application, the first optical device 20 may not have a receiving end, and the receiving end of the first communication device 11 may be located outside the first optical device 20. The second optical device 40 may not have a transmitting end. The transmitting end of the second communication device 12 may be located outside the second optical device 40.

[0073] In the example of Figure 1, the first optical link 30 includes multiple optical fiber segments 31. The first optical link 30 may also include an optical fiber connector 32, with each end of the connector 32 connected to an optical fiber segment 31. In some embodiments of this application, the first optical link 30 may further include a connector 33, through which adjacent optical fiber segments 31 are connected. Exemplarily, the connector 33 may be a fusion splice. This fusion splice is formed, for example, by fusion splicing adjacent optical fiber segments 31.

[0074] In the embodiments of this application, the number of fiber optic connectors 32 in the first optical link 30 can be one, two, three, or more. The number of connection parts 33 in the first optical link 30 can be one, two, three, or more.

[0075] It is understood that, in the embodiments of this application, the first optical link 30 may include at least one of the aforementioned fiber optic connector 32 or connection portion 33.

[0076] During assembly or use, reflection points 301 may appear in the first optical link 30. These reflection points 301 will reflect the optical signals in the first optical link 30, causing multipath interference problems. Especially when the reflectivity of the reflection point 301 is high (e.g., greater than 40 dB), the communication quality in the first optical link 30 is severely degraded, and may even lead to intermittent communication interruptions.

[0077] The embodiments of this application do not limit the number of reflection points 301 in the first optical link 30. For example, the number of reflection points 301 in the first optical link 30 can be one, two, three or more.

[0078] The aforementioned fiber optic connector 32 or connection portion 33 may both serve as reflection point 301. In other words, reflection point 301 may include at least one of fiber optic connector 32 or connection portion 33. It is understood that reflection point 301 in the first optical link 30 may also be other structures that reflect optical signals in the first optical link 30.

[0079] In embodiments where the optical communication network 10 includes a second optical link, the second optical link may also have reflection points. Hereinafter, for ease of distinction, the reflection points in the second optical link will be referred to as reflection portions. In other words, for a description of the reflection portions in the second optical link, please refer to the description of reflection point 301 in the aforementioned first optical link 30.

[0080] During the maintenance of an optical communication system, repairing or replacing reflection points 301 with high reflectivity (e.g., greater than 40dB) in the first optical link 30 can improve the quality of optical communication. In particular, the first optical device 20 provided in this embodiment of the application is beneficial for improving the quality of optical communication.

[0081] Figure 2a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first optical device 20 and a first optical link 30 provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 2a, the first optical device 20 includes a light emitter 110, a first beam splitting unit 201, and a reflection unit. The first beam splitting unit 201 and the first optical link 30 are connected.

[0082] In the embodiments of this application, in order to distinguish it from the reflection unit in the second optical device 40 (as shown in FIG1), the reflection unit in the first optical device 20 is named the first reflection unit 300.

[0083] The light transmitter 110 is used to emit a first signal light g1, the first beam splitter 201 is used to transmit the first signal light g1, the first signal light g1 output by the first beam splitter 201 is transmitted in the first optical link 30, and the reflection point 301 in the first optical link 30 reflects at least part of the first signal light g1.

[0084] In the embodiments of this application, the second signal light g2 is defined as: at least a portion of the first signal light g1 reflected by the reflection point 301 of the first optical link 30.

[0085] The first beam splitting unit 201 is also used to split at least a portion of the first signal light g1 reflected by the first optical link 30 into a first beam f1 and a second beam f2.

[0086] As described above, the number of reflection points 301 in the first optical link 30 can be one or more. Each reflection point 301 reflects at least a portion of the first signal light g1 to obtain a second signal light g2. The time required for the second signal light g2 reflected from reflection points 301 at different locations to reach the first beam splitter 201 is different. The first beam splitter 201 and the first reflection unit 300 process the second signal light g2 reflected from different reflection points 301 in the same way. Therefore, this embodiment uses the second signal light g2 reflected by one reflection point 301 in the first optical link 300 as an example for illustrative purposes; the same applies to the second signal light g2 reflected by the remaining reflection points 301.

[0087] The first reflection unit 300 is used to reflect the first beam f1 output by the first beam splitting unit 201 back to the first beam splitting unit 201. The first beam splitting unit 201 is also used to transmit the beam output by the first reflection unit 300. In this document, the signal reflected by the first reflection unit 300 and returning to the first beam splitting unit 201 is named the reflected signal light g3.

[0088] Thus, the first optical device 20 splits the second signal light g2 reflected in the first optical link 30, and then, after being reflected by the first reflection unit 300, it passes through the first splitting unit 201 and returns to the first optical link 30. A reflected signal light g3 is formed between the first reflection unit 300 and a reflection point 301 in the first optical link 30. By analyzing this reflected signal light g3, the distance between the first reflection unit 300 and the reflection point 301 can be obtained, thereby determining the position of the reflection point 301 in the first optical link 30. Repairing or replacing the reflection point 301 can effectively improve the communication quality of the first optical link 30.

[0089] In the embodiments of this application, the optical path design between the optical transmitter 110, the first beam splitter 201, and the first reflection unit 300 enables the first optical device 20 to reflect the second signal light g2. This contributes to locating the position of the reflection point 301 in the first optical link 30, and is particularly beneficial for locating the position of the reflection point 301 with high reflectivity in the first optical link 30. Therefore, the first optical device 20 provided in the embodiments of this application is beneficial for improving the communication quality of optical communication.

[0090] This application does not limit the processing method of the second beam f2 emitted from the first beam splitter 201. In some embodiments, optical devices can be used to filter the second beam f2. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the second beam f2 can be transmitted to the optical emitter 110.

[0091] In some embodiments of this application, the first optical device 20 may further include a substrate, on which the light emitter 110, the first beam splitter 201, and the first reflector 300 are all disposed. This increases the integration density of the first optical device 20. Exemplarily, the substrate material includes silicon. The first optical device 20 can be considered a silicon photonic chip.

[0092] This application does not limit the type of the first beam-splitting unit 201. In some embodiments, the first beam-splitting unit 201 includes a multimode interferometer (MMI). Multimode interferometers have advantages such as small size, low cost, and stable performance. This can reduce the size and cost of the first optical device 20. In embodiments where the first optical device 20 is a silicon photonics chip, the multimode interferometer is formed on a substrate, which simplifies the process and reduces costs.

[0093] In some other embodiments of this application, the first beam-splitting unit 201 may be a beam splitter.

[0094] The embodiments of this application do not limit the type of optical emitter 110. For example, the optical emitter 110 can be a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) or a distributed-feedback laser (DFB).

[0095] In some embodiments, the first beam splitting unit 201 is connected to the light-emitting surface or port of the light emitter 110. Thus, the position of the first beam splitting unit 201 can be determined by determining the position of the light-emitting surface or port of the light emitter 110. Furthermore, the position of the first reflection unit 300 can be determined by detecting the distance between the first beam splitting unit 201 and the first reflection unit 300.

[0096] In some embodiments of this application, an optical waveguide, optical element, etc., may be disposed between the light emitter 110 and the first beam splitter 201. In these embodiments, a mark may be provided on the first optical device 20 to indicate the position of the first reflective unit 300 on the first optical device 20. The aforementioned mark may be, for example, a recess, a convex part, a colored coating, etc. In this way, the position of the first reflective unit 300 can be determined by detecting the mark.

[0097] It is understood that, in some embodiments of this application, an identifier indicating the position of the first reflecting unit 300 may be placed on the first optical link 30. Alternatively, a device (e.g., an optical fiber connector) on the first optical link 30 may be used to indicate the position of the first reflecting unit 300. For example, the distance between a device on the first optical link 30 and the first reflecting unit 300 may be defined as a first distance, and the position of the first reflecting unit 300 can be determined by the position of the device on the first optical link 30 and the first distance.

[0098] As described above, the first communication device is also used to receive a light beam emitted by the second communication device. In some embodiments, the first optical device 20 is also used to process the light beam emitted by the second communication device.

[0099] For ease of distinction, the link that transmits the light beam emitted by the second communication device to the first communication device is named the second optical link 50 (as shown in Figure 2b). It can be understood that the first optical link 30 and the second optical link 50 can share an optical path or be set independently.

[0100] Figure 2b is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first optical device 20, a first optical link 30, and a second optical link 50 provided in an embodiment of this application. Please refer to Figure 2b.

[0101] In the example of Figure 2b, the first optical device 20 may also include a detector 401 and a processor 402. The detector 401 and the processor 402 together determine the position of the reflector 51 in the second optical link 50.

[0102] Similarly, the second optical link 50 also includes a reflective element and a first beam splitting unit. For ease of distinction, the reflective element in the second optical link 50 is defined as reflective optical element 52. The first beam splitting unit in the second optical link 50 is defined as the fifth beam splitting unit 53.

[0103] In other words, the connection method and structure of the reflective light element 52 and the fifth beam splitting unit 53 are the same as the connection method and structure of the first reflective unit 300 and the first beam splitting unit 201 in the first optical link 30.

[0104] The detector 401 is used to detect multiple characteristic peaks of the light beam in the second optical link 50. One characteristic peak is used to indicate the reflection characteristics between any two reflectors 51 in the multiple reflectors 51 in the second optical link 50, or the reflection characteristics between the reflective optical element 52 and one of the multiple reflectors 51.

[0105] The processor 402 is configured to: determine a target feature peak associated with the reflective light element 52 from a plurality of feature peaks, and obtain the position of the reflective part 51 corresponding to the target feature peak in the second optical link 50; wherein the second optical link 50 has an identifier for indicating the position of the reflective light element 52.

[0106] In this way, the first optical device 20 can receive the optical signal emitted from the opposite side of the optical transmitter 110 and determine the position of the reflector 51 in the second optical link 50. This contributes to the maintenance of the second optical link 50 and helps improve the optical communication quality of the second optical link 50.

[0107] Similarly, in some embodiments of this application, the second optical link 50 may be provided with an identifier that indicates the position of the reflector 51 in the second optical link 50.

[0108] In the example where the first optical device 20 includes a detector 401 and a processor 402, the first optical device 20 can also serve as a transmitter of the first signal light g1 to the first optical link 30 and a detector of the reflector 51 in the second optical link 50, thus giving the first optical device 20 multiple functions and increasing the integration of the first optical device 20.

[0109] The first optical device 20 may further include a housing, in which the light emitter 110, the first beam splitting unit 201, the first reflection unit 300, the detector 401, and the processor 402 are all disposed. The detector 401 and the processor 402 are used to detect the optical signal emitted by the second communication device 12 (as shown in FIG1) to the first communication device 11 (as shown in FIG1).

[0110] In embodiments where the first optical device 20 is an optical module or part of an optical module, and the optical module is pluggably connected to the housing of the first communication device 11, the aforementioned housing may be the housing of the optical module or the housing of the first communication device 11. In embodiments where the optical module and the housing of the first communication device 11 are not detachably connected, the aforementioned housing is the housing of the first communication device 11.

[0111] In an embodiment where the first optical device 20 is a silicon photonics chip, the detector 401 and processor 402 used to detect the position of the reflector 51 in the second optical link 50 are integrated into the silicon photonics chip, which helps to reduce the size of the first communication device including the first optical device 20.

[0112] In some embodiments of this application, detector 401 and processor 402 are not necessary, and the first optical device 20 may not have detector 401 and processor 402. For example, detector 401, processor 402 and the first optical device 20 may be set independently.

[0113] It is understandable that the method for determining the position of the reflection point 301 in the first optical link 30 is the same as the method for determining the position of the reflection part 51 in the second optical link 50, and will not be repeated here.

[0114] The embodiments of this application do not limit the structure of the first reflecting unit 300. In some embodiments, the first reflecting unit 300 can be a reflector. In some embodiments, the first reflecting unit 300 can be a reflective film. For example, a reflective film is provided on the side of the first beam splitter 201 from which the first beam f1 is emitted.

[0115] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first reflection unit 300 provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 3, the first reflection unit 300 includes a second beam splitting unit 202 and an optical waveguide 310. The second beam splitting unit 202 includes three ports, and the two opposite ends of the optical waveguide 310 are respectively connected to the two ports of the second beam splitting unit 202.

[0116] The second beam splitter 202 is used to split the received beam to output a first sub-beam s1 and a second sub-beam s2. An optical waveguide 310 is used to transmit the first sub-beam s1 output by the second beam splitter 202 back to the second beam splitter 202, and the optical waveguide 310 is also used to transmit the second sub-beam s2 back to the second beam splitter 202. The second beam splitter 202 is also used to combine the first sub-beam s1 and the second sub-beam s2 and output them to the first beam splitter 201 (as shown in Figure 2b).

[0117] For example, the beam received by the second beam splitting unit 202 may be the first beam f1 output by the first beam splitting unit 201, or it may be the beam after the first beam f1 has been processed by other devices (such as the first power regulator described below).

[0118] Thus, in the example of Figure 3, changing the transmission direction of the beam through the second beam splitting unit 202 and the optical waveguide 310 can be regarded as the effect of reflecting the beam.

[0119] In the embodiment where the first optical device 20 (as shown in Figure 2b) is a silicon photonics chip, the first reflective unit 300 shown in Figure 3 has a lower manufacturing cost. Furthermore, the first reflective unit 300 occupies a smaller volume, which is beneficial for improving the integration density of the first optical device 20.

[0120] In the example in Figure 3, the structure of the second beam splitting unit 202 is described in the previous description of the first beam splitting unit 201, and will not be repeated here.

[0121] This application does not limit the type of optical waveguide 310. In some embodiments, the optical waveguide 310 can be an integrated optical waveguide, which can be a planar (thin film) dielectric waveguide or a strip dielectric waveguide. In some embodiments, the optical waveguide 310 can be a cylindrical optical waveguide, which can also be called an optical fiber.

[0122] In a scenario where there is only one reflection point 301 with high reflectivity (e.g., greater than 40dB) in the first optical link 30, the position of the reflection point 301 in the first optical link 30 can be obtained by analyzing the reflection signal formed between the reflection point 301 and the first reflection unit 300. Repairing or replacing the reflection point 301 can improve the communication quality of optical communication.

[0123] In scenarios where there are many reflection points 301 with high reflectivity (e.g., greater than 40dB) in the first optical link 30, the first reflection unit 300 and a reflection point 301 in the first optical link 30 form a reflection signal, and two reflection points 301 in the first optical link 30 form a reflection signal.

[0124] In some embodiments, determining the reflection signal associated with the first reflection unit 300 among multiple reflection signals is beneficial for better locating the position of the reflection point 301 in the first optical link 30.

[0125] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first optical device 20 provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 4, the first optical device 20 may further include: a first power regulator 410, which is used to adjust the power of the first beam f1 before outputting it; and a first reflection unit 300, which is used to reflect the beam output by the first power regulator 410 back to the first beam splitting unit 201.

[0126] If the reflectivity of a reflective device (such as a reflective element or a reflective point) is adjusted, the reflected signal formed by that reflective device and another reflective device will change. If the characteristic peak corresponding to the reflected signal is detected, the intensity of that characteristic peak will change.

[0127] The reflectivity of the first reflective unit 300 is adjusted by the first power regulator 410, thereby determining the characteristic peak associated with the first reflective unit 300 and thus identifying the location of the reflection point 301 with higher reflectivity. This facilitates the rapid identification of the location of the reflection point 301 with higher reflectivity in the first optical link 30. Repairing or replacing the reflection point 301 with higher reflectivity can improve the communication quality of optical communication.

[0128] The embodiments of this application do not limit the type of the first power regulator 410. For example, the first power regulator 410 is a variable optical attenuator (VOA).

[0129] In the example of Figure 4, the first reflection unit 300 is used to reflect the beam output by the first power regulator 410 back to the first power regulator 410. The first power regulator 410 is also used to adjust the power of the beam output by the first reflection unit 300 and output it to the first beam splitting unit 201. Thus, the first power regulator 410 adjusts the power of the beam twice. This can increase the variable of the beam power, making the ratio of the power of the beam output by the first power regulator 410 to the power of the first beam f1 larger.

[0130] In addition, the fact that the light beam passes through the optical path between the first beam splitting unit 201, the first power regulator 410, and the first reflection unit 300 twice is beneficial to increasing the integration of the first optical device 20.

[0131] In some embodiments of this application, the light beam reflected back by the first reflection unit 300 may not need to pass through the first power regulator 410 again. For example, the light beam reflected back by the first reflection unit 300 may return to the first beam splitter 201 via other optical devices.

[0132] As mentioned above, the method for determining the position of the reflection point 301 in the first optical link 30 (as shown in Figure 2b) is the same as the method for determining the position of the reflection part 51 in the second optical link 50 (as shown in Figure 2b).

[0133] In an embodiment where the number of reflection points 301 in the first optical link 30 (as shown in Figure 2b) is relatively large, the aforementioned processor is specifically used to: adjust the reflectivity of the first reflection unit from a first value to a second value, and update multiple characteristic peaks. The characteristic peak corresponding to the first characteristic peak among the updated multiple characteristic peaks is determined as the target characteristic peak, the intensity of the target characteristic peak being the characteristic peak before the update, and different from the intensity of the first characteristic peak.

[0134] In other words, the detector detects multiple characteristic peaks of the beam in the first optical link, which are the characteristic peaks before the update. The processor adjusts the reflectivity of the first reflecting unit from a first value to a second value. The detector detects multiple characteristic peaks of the beam in the first optical link again to update the multiple characteristic peaks, obtaining updated multiple characteristic peaks. The updated multiple characteristic peaks include the first characteristic peak. The processor determines the updated characteristic peak corresponding to the first characteristic peak as the target characteristic peak. The intensity of this target characteristic peak is the same as the characteristic peak before the update, and is different from the intensity of the first characteristic peak.

[0135] Thus, by adjusting the reflectivity of the first reflecting unit, the target characteristic peak associated with the first reflecting unit can be obtained. Even if there are multiple reflection points in the first optical link, the target characteristic peak does not include the target characteristic peak not associated with the first reflecting unit. The positions of multiple reflection points in the first optical link can be obtained through the target characteristic peak.

[0136] In the embodiments of this application, the reflectivity of the first reflecting unit refers to the ratio of the power of the light beam (e.g., the reflected signal light g3 mentioned above) reflected by the first reflecting unit, passing through the first beam splitting unit 201 again, and emitted by the first beam splitting unit 201 to the power of the first light beam f1 output by the first beam splitting unit 201.

[0137] Similarly, in scenarios where the number of reflectors 51 in the second optical link 50 is large, the processor 402 is specifically configured to: adjust the reflectivity of the reflective optical element from a first value to a second value; update the multiple characteristic peaks; and determine the characteristic peak corresponding to the first characteristic peak among the updated multiple characteristic peaks as the target characteristic peak, the intensity of which is the same as the characteristic peak before the update, and different from the intensity of the first characteristic peak.

[0138] For example, a first intensity difference exists between the first feature peak and the target feature peak, and this first intensity difference matches a reflectance adjustment value. The reflectance adjustment value is the difference between the second value and the first value. In other words, the first intensity difference is related to the reflectance adjustment value. A change in the reflectance adjustment value results in a corresponding change in the first intensity difference. Therefore, the first feature peak is determined to be the updated feature peak corresponding to the target feature peak.

[0139] Similarly, the target characteristic peak associated with the reflective optical element 52 can be obtained by adjusting the reflectivity of the reflective optical element 52. Even if there are multiple reflective parts 51 in the second optical link 50, the target characteristic peak does not include the target characteristic peak that is not associated with the reflective optical element 52. The positions of the multiple reflective parts 51 in the second optical link 50 can be obtained through the target characteristic peak.

[0140] The "reflectivity of the reflective light element 52" is similar to the aforementioned "reflectivity of the first reflective unit 300", and will not be repeated here.

[0141] In some embodiments of this application, the first optical device 20 may include a plurality of power regulators.

[0142] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of another first optical device 20 provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 5, the difference between Figure 5 and Figure 4 includes that the first optical device 20 may further include a second power regulator 420. The second power regulator 420 is disposed on the optical waveguide 310. Thus, the second power regulator 420 can adjust the power of the first sub-beam s1 and the second sub-beam s2 transmitted on the optical waveguide 310. This allows adjustment of the power ratio between the beam output from the first power regulator 410 to the first beam splitting unit 201 and the power of the first beam f1.

[0143] Exemplarily, the second power regulator 420 can be formed on the optical waveguide 310 through a doping process. The second power regulator 420 can be a tunable optical attenuator. In some embodiments of this application, the two ends of the second power regulator 420 are connected to the optical waveguide 310. For example, the optical waveguide 310 includes two segments, which are connected by the second power regulator 420.

[0144] In the example of Figure 5, both the first power regulator 410 and the second power regulator 420 can adjust the reflectivity of the first reflective unit 300.

[0145] It is understood that, in the embodiments of this application, the first power regulator 410 and the second power regulator 420 may be optionally provided. For example, in some embodiments, the first optical device 20 may not include the first power regulator 410 shown in FIG5.

[0146] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of another first optical device 20 provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 6, the first optical device 20 may further include a third beam splitting unit 203, a fourth beam splitting unit 204, a first phase adjuster 501, and an optical dissipation element 102. The third beam splitting unit 203 includes a first branch 210, a second branch 220, and a first port 2031. The fourth beam splitting unit 204 includes a third branch 230, a fourth branch 240, a second port 2041, and a third port 2042.

[0147] The first branch 210 and the third branch 230 are connected, and the second branch 220 and the fourth branch 240 are connected. The first phase adjuster 501 is disposed in the first branch 210, and the optical dissipation element 102 is used to dissipate the beam output from the second port 2041.

[0148] The first port 2031 is used to receive the light beam, which is transmitted to the fourth beam splitter 204 after passing through the third beam splitter 203. The second port 2041 or the third port 2042 is used to output the light beam received by the fourth beam splitter 204.

[0149] The first reflection unit 300 is used to reflect the light beam output from the third port 2042 back to the third port 2042. The first port 2031 is also used to transmit the light beam entering the fourth beam splitting unit 204 from the third port 2042 to the first beam splitting unit 201.

[0150] For example, the first phase adjuster 501 is used to adjust the phase of the beam in the first branch 210 so as to adjust the beam received by the fourth beam splitter 204 to be output from the second port 2041 or the third port 2042.

[0151] When the light beam is output from the second port 2041, it is dissipated by the optical dissipation element 102. When the light beam is output from the third port 2042, it is reflected back to the third port 2042 by the first reflection unit 300, and then transmitted back to the first beam splitter 201 through the fourth beam splitter 204 and the third beam splitter 203. In this way, the third beam splitter 203, the fourth beam splitter 204, the first phase adjuster 501, and the optical dissipation element 102 can adjust the reflectivity of the first reflection unit 300. This is beneficial for locating the position of the reflection point 301 (as shown in Figure 2b) in the first optical link 30 (as shown in Figure 2b), contributing to improved optical communication quality.

[0152] Additionally, during periods when the location of reflection point 301 in the first optical link 30 needs to be determined (e.g., during maintenance), the beam is output from the third port 2042, reflected back to the third port 2042 by the first reflection unit 300, and then transmitted back to the first beam splitter 201 via the fourth beam splitter 204 and the third beam splitter 203. During periods when the location of reflection point 301 in the first optical link 30 does not need to be determined, the first beam f1 output from the first beam splitter 201 can be dissipated, preventing the first beam f1 from being reflected back to the first optical link 30 by the first reflection unit 300 (as shown in Figure 2b), thus avoiding interference with the first signal light g1 in the first optical link 30. This is beneficial for improving the quality of optical communication.

[0153] The embodiments of this application do not limit the structure of the optical dissipation element 102, as long as it can dissipate the received light beam. For example, the optical dissipation element 102 can be an optical waveguide with a beveled surface.

[0154] In some embodiments of this application, the first optical device 20 may further include a first monitor photodiode (mPD) 601 and a second monitor photodiode 602. The first monitor photodiode 601 is disposed in the optical path between the first reflective unit 300 and the third port 2042, and is used to detect the optical signal intensity in the optical path between the first reflective unit 300 and the third port 2042. The second monitor photodiode 602 is disposed in the optical path between the optical dissipation element 102 and the second port 2041, and is used to detect the optical signal intensity in the optical path between the optical dissipation element 102 and the second port 2041. Thus, the first monitor photodiode 601 and the second monitor photodiode 602 can determine the transmission path of the light beam transmitted from the first port 2031 to the fourth beam splitting unit 204, which passes through the third port 2042, or the transmission path passes through the second port 2041.

[0155] For example, if the first monitoring photodetector 601 detects a high signal strength in the optical path between the first reflection unit 300 and the third port 2042, the first beam f1 output by the first beam splitter 201 can be reflected by the first reflection unit 300 and then transmitted again through the first beam splitter 201 to the first optical link 30. If the second monitoring photodetector 602 detects a high signal strength in the optical path between the optical dissipation element 102 and the second port 2041, the first beam f1 output by the first beam splitter 201 is dissipated by the optical dissipation element 102.

[0156] It is understood that in some embodiments of this application, the first monitoring photodetector 601 and the second monitoring photodetector 602 may be optionally provided. Alternatively, the first optical device 20 may not include either the first monitoring photodetector 601 or the second monitoring photodetector 602.

[0157] In some examples of Figure 5, the first optical device 20 may also include the detector 401 and processor 402 described in Figure 2b or Figure 4. Further details will not be provided here. In some examples of Figure 5, the detector 401 and processor 402 described in Figure 2b or Figure 4 may be located outside the first optical device 20.

[0158] In the example of Figure 6, the first optical device 20 may further include a second phase adjuster 502, which is disposed in the optical path between the first port 2031 and the first beam splitting unit 201. For example, the second phase adjuster 502 is disposed in the optical path between the first port 2031 and the first power regulator 410. The second phase adjuster 502 is used to adjust the phase of the light beam transmitted from the first port 2031 to the first beam splitting unit 201, so that the phase of the light beam emitted by the first beam splitting unit 201 after reflection by the first reflection unit 300 is matched with the phase of the first signal light g1. In other words, the second phase adjuster 502 facilitates phase matching between the reflected signal light g3 and the first signal light g1.

[0159] It is understood that in some embodiments of this application, the second phase modulator 502 is not necessary, and the first optical device 20 may not be provided with the second phase modulator 502.

[0160] In the example of Figure 6, the first reflecting unit 300 can be the structure shown in Figure 3, or the first reflecting unit 300 can be a reflector mirror.

[0161] In some embodiments of this application, the power of the beam output from the third port can be adjusted.

[0162] In some embodiments, the first optical device 20 may further include a third power regulator 430. The third power regulator 430 is disposed in the optical path between the first reflection unit 300 and the third port 2042.

[0163] The third power regulator 430 is used to adjust the power of the beam output from the third port 2042 before outputting it. The first reflection unit 300 is used to reflect the beam output from the third power regulator 430 back to the third power regulator 430. The third power regulator 430 is also used to adjust the power of the beam from the first reflection unit 300 before outputting it to the third port 2042.

[0164] Thus, the third power regulator 430 can further adjust the reflectivity of the first reflection unit 300. This contributes to determining the position of the reflection point 301 in the first optical link 30, which is beneficial to improving the quality of optical communication.

[0165] In the example of Figure 6, neither the third power regulator 430 nor the first power regulator 410 is necessary. In some embodiments, the first optical device 20 may not have the first power regulator 410. In some embodiments, the first optical device 20 in Figure 6 may not have the third power regulator 430. In some embodiments, the first optical device 20 may not have either the third power regulator 430 or the first power regulator 410.

[0166] In some examples of Figure 6, the first optical device 20 may also include the detector 401 and processor 402 described in Figure 2b or Figure 4. Further details will not be provided here. In some examples of Figure 6, the detector 401 and processor 402 described in Figure 2b or Figure 4 may be located outside the first optical device 20.

[0167] In the examples shown in Figures 4-6, the first optical device 20 includes an optical transmitter 110 for transmitting the first signal light g1. In some embodiments of this application, the first optical device 20 can also receive optical signals. Thus, the first optical device 20 can be considered as an optical transceiver device.

[0168] In the examples of Figures 4, 5 and 6, the optical paths in the first optical link 30 and the second optical link 50 are independent of each other and do not share optical paths.

[0169] In some scenarios, the first optical link 30 and the second optical link 50 share at least part of the optical path. This can save on the number of components, reduce the number of components while increasing integration, and reduce the size of the optical communication network.

[0170] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the first optical device 20 and the first optical link 30 provided in this application. The difference between Figure 7 and Figure 2b is that the first optical link 30 and the second optical link 50 in Figure 7 share part of the optical path. In addition, the first optical device 20 in Figure 7 may also include an optical receiver 120.

[0171] In the example of Figure 7, the optical receiver 120 is used to receive signal light from the first optical link 30. The wavelength of the light beam received by the optical receiver 120 is different from the wavelength of the light beam output by the optical transmitter 110.

[0172] In the example of Figure 7, the first optical device 20 may further include a filter 150. The filter 150 is used to transmit the light beam output from the optical transmitter 110 to the first optical link 30. The filter 150 is also used to transmit the light beam from the second optical link 50 to the optical receiver 120.

[0173] Thus, the first optical link 30 and the second optical link 50 share part of the optical path, increasing integration. In addition, the first optical device 20 includes an optical transmitter 110 and an optical receiver 120, enabling the first optical device 20 to receive and transmit optical signals.

[0174] In the example of Figure 7, the filter 150 is disposed on the side of the first beam splitter 201 away from the light emitter 110. The first optical signal g1 passes through the light emitter 110 and the first beam splitter 201 in sequence.

[0175] In some embodiments of this application, the filter 150 may be disposed in the optical path between the light transmitter 110 and the first beam splitter 201, and the first signal light g1 output by the light transmitter 110 passes through the filter 150 and the first beam splitter 201 in sequence. In this embodiment, the first optical link 30 and the second optical link 50 may share the first beam splitter 201 and the first optical reflection unit 300.

[0176] In other words, in some embodiments where the first optical link 30 and the second optical link 50 share a portion of the optical path, the reflective part in the second optical link 50 is the same element as the reflection point 301 in the first optical link 30. The reflective light element in the second optical link 50 is the same element as the first reflective unit 300 in the first optical link 30. The fifth beam splitting unit in the second optical link 50 is the same element as the first beam splitting unit 201 in the first optical link 30.

[0177] In some embodiments where the first optical link 30 and the second optical link 50 share a portion of the optical path, the light beam detected by the detector 401 mentioned above originates from the first optical link 30.

[0178] It is understood that the example of the first optical device 20 shown in Figures 5 and 6 may also include the filter 150 and optical receiver 120 shown in Figure 7, which will not be described in detail here.

[0179] In some embodiments of this application, the first optical device 20 can be considered as an optical module. For example, in some embodiments, the first optical device 20 may further include a housing, in which the light emitter 110, the first beam splitter 201, and the first reflector 300 are all disposed. The housings of the first optical device 20 and the first communication device 11 (as shown in FIG. 1) are detachably connected. The separation and connection of the housings of the first optical device 20 and the first communication device 11 can be achieved by plugging and unplugging the first optical device 20.

[0180] In some embodiments of this application, the housings of the first optical device 20 and the first communication device 11 can be non-detachable. The first optical device 20 can be integrated onto the housing of the first communication device 11.

[0181] As described in Figure 1 above, in some embodiments, the second optical device 40 can be considered as an optical transceiver. In these embodiments, the structure of the second optical device 40 can be the same as that of the first optical device 20, which is also an optical transceiver.

[0182] As shown in Figure 1, in some embodiments, the second optical device 40 may not include a transmitter. The second optical device 40 can be considered as an optical receiver.

[0183] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second optical device 40 provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 8, the second optical device 40 includes a first beam splitting unit, a reflection unit, and an optical receiver 43. The second optical device 40 can be regarded as the receiving end in an optical network. For ease of distinction, the first beam splitting unit in the second optical device 40 is defined as the sixth beam splitting unit 41. The reflection unit in the second optical device 40 is defined as the second reflection unit 42.

[0184] In the example of Figure 8, the sixth beam splitter 41 receives signal light and outputs a first beam h1 and a second beam h2. The second reflection unit 42 reflects the first beam h1 back to the sixth beam splitter 41. The optical receiver 43 receives the second beam h2 and the third beam h3. The third beam h3 is output by the second reflection unit 42 and is, in sequence, a beam that passes through the sixth beam splitter 41, is reflected by the optical link, and then passes through the sixth beam splitter 41 again.

[0185] Therefore, when there is a reflection point in the optical link where the signal light is transmitted to the optical receiver 43, a reflection signal will be formed between the reflection point and the second reflection unit 42. By analyzing the reflection signal, the distance between the reflection point and the second reflection unit 42 can be obtained, thereby obtaining the location of the reflection point in the optical link. Repairing or replacing the reflection point can effectively improve the communication quality of the optical link.

[0186] For a description of the second reflecting unit 42, please refer to the description of the first reflecting unit 300 above. The optical path between the second reflecting unit 42 and the sixth beam splitting unit 41 in the second optical device 40 can also be as shown in Figures 4-6 above, and will not be described again here.

[0187] In some embodiments, the second optical device 40 may also include the detector 401 and processor 402 described in FIG. 2b or FIG. 4. The detector 401 and processor 402 jointly determine the location of the reflection point in the optical link. The detector 401 is used to detect multiple characteristic peaks of the light beam received by the optical receiver 43. For a description of the detector 401 and processor 402, please refer to the description of the detector 401 and processor 402 in the first optical device 20 (as shown in FIG. 2b), which will not be repeated here.

[0188] Similar to the first optical device 20 described above, in some embodiments of this application, the second optical device 40 and the housing of the second communication device 12 are detachably connected. In some embodiments of this application, the second optical device 40 and the housing of the second communication device 12 are non-detachably connected. The second optical device 40 can be integrated onto the housing of the second communication device 12.

[0189] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an optical communication network 01 provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 9, the optical communication network 01 includes an optical transmitter 110, an optical receiver 43, a reflection unit 04, a beam splitting unit 02, and an optical link 03.

[0190] The optical transmitter 110 and the optical receiver 43 are connected via optical link 03, and the reflection unit 04 and the beam splitting unit 02 are disposed on the optical link 03. For the structure of the reflection unit 04 and the beam splitting unit 02, as well as the optical path between the reflection unit 04 and the beam splitting unit 02, please refer to the description in Figures 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 above.

[0191] In some embodiments, the structure of optical link 03 is described in the previous description of the first optical link 30, and will not be repeated here.

[0192] Furthermore, in some embodiments of this application, the optical communication network 01 may also include the detector 401 and processor 402 shown in FIG. 4. Please refer to the description of the detector and processor in the first optical device above, which will not be repeated here.

[0193] As mentioned above, in the embodiments of this application, the position of a reflection point in an optical link can be detected. As an example, the following describes a method for detecting the position of a reflection point in an optical link.

[0194] The optical link for which the method for detecting the position of a reflection point in an optical link is applied includes: a beam splitting unit, a reflection unit, and multiple reflection points. One of the reflection points is used to reflect a portion of the first signal light to output a second signal light. The beam splitting unit is used to split the second signal light into a first beam and a second beam. The reflection unit is used to reflect the first beam back to the beam splitting unit. The beam splitting unit is also used to transmit the first signal light and the beam output by the reflection unit.

[0195] For example, the relationship between the beam splitting unit and the reflection unit can be found in the description of the first beam splitting unit and the first reflection unit in the aforementioned first optical device. The reflection point can be found in the description of the reflection point in the aforementioned first optical link. It will not be repeated here.

[0196] Figure 10 is a diagram of a method for detecting the position of a reflection point in an optical link according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 10, the method for detecting the position of a reflection point in an optical link includes:

[0197] S1. Acquire multiple characteristic peaks of the beam output by the beam splitter unit.

[0198] One characteristic peak is used to indicate the reflection characteristics between the reflecting unit and one of the multiple reflecting points, or the reflection characteristics between any two of the multiple reflecting points. In other words, the characteristic peaks include two types: one type is used to indicate the reflection characteristics between the reflecting unit and one of the multiple reflecting points, and the other type is used to indicate the reflection characteristics between any two of the multiple reflecting points.

[0199] One method for obtaining multiple characteristic peaks of the beam output by the beam splitter is, for example, to receive the beam output by the beam splitter and obtain the characteristic peak spectrum of the beam, which includes multiple characteristic peaks.

[0200] S2. Determine the target characteristic peak associated with the reflectivity of the reflective unit from the plurality of characteristic peaks.

[0201] One type of characteristic peak is determined from the two types mentioned above, and this type of characteristic peak is associated with the reflectivity of the reflective unit.

[0202] Figure 11 is a flowchart of one method of S2 in Figure 10 above. For example, S2 may include:

[0203] S21. Adjust the reflectivity of the reflective unit from the first value to the second value, and update multiple characteristic peaks.

[0204] In other words, when the reflectivity of the reflecting unit is at a first value, multiple characteristic peaks are obtained, referred to as the multiple characteristic peaks before the update. The reflectivity of the reflecting unit is adjusted by the power regulator. The reflectivity of the reflecting unit is adjusted from the first value to a second value, and the multiple characteristic peaks are updated to obtain the updated multiple characteristic peaks. Here, the first value and the second value are not equal.

[0205] In some embodiments, the optical link may further include a power regulator for adjusting the power of the first beam. The structure of the power regulator in the optical link is described in the preceding descriptions of the first, second, or third power regulators in the first optical device. The power regulator can adjust the reflectivity of the reflecting unit from a first value to a second value.

[0206] S22. The feature peak with the same time delay as the first feature peak among the updated multiple feature peaks is determined as the target feature peak.

[0207] The intensity of the target feature peak is the same as the feature peak before the update, and it is different from the intensity of the first feature peak.

[0208] In other words, after the update, multiple feature peaks include the first feature peak. Before the update, multiple feature peaks included the target feature peak, the first feature peak and the target feature peak had different intensities, and the first feature peak and the target feature peak corresponded to each other.

[0209] The correspondence between the first feature peak and the target feature peak refers to the fact that the positions of the first feature peak and the target feature peak after the update are the same as the horizontal coordinate positions of the target feature peak after the update, i.e., the same delay.

[0210] For example, a first intensity difference exists between the first feature peak and the target feature peak, and this first intensity difference matches a reflectance adjustment value. The reflectance adjustment value is the difference between the second value and the first value. In other words, the first intensity difference is correlated with the reflectance adjustment value. A change in the reflectance adjustment value results in a corresponding change in the first intensity difference. Therefore, the first feature peak is determined to be the updated feature peak corresponding to the target feature peak.

[0211] Taking Figure 12 as an example, Figure 12 shows the spectra of multiple characteristic peaks before and after the update. Figure (1) in Figure 12 shows the spectrum of multiple characteristic peaks before the update, and the reflectivity of the corresponding reflective unit is the first value. For example, the multiple characteristic peaks before the update include characteristic peak a1, characteristic peak a2, characteristic peak a3, characteristic peak a4, etc.

[0212] Figure 12(2) shows the updated feature peak diagram, and the reflectivity of the corresponding reflective unit is the second value. The updated feature peaks include feature peak b1, feature peak b2, feature peak b3, feature peak b4, etc.

[0213] Since a portion of the characteristic peaks in the original set are not correlated with the reflectivity of the reflective unit, these portion of characteristic peaks correspond one-to-one with a portion of the characteristic peaks in the updated set, and the peak intensities are the same.

[0214] Conversely, a portion of the characteristic peaks in the original set are correlated with the reflectivity of the reflecting unit. These portion of characteristic peaks then correspond one-to-one with a portion of the characteristic peaks in the updated set, and the intensity of these characteristic peaks differs.

[0215] Taking Figure 12 as an example, characteristic peak a1 corresponds to characteristic peak b1, characteristic peak a2 corresponds to characteristic peak b2, characteristic peak a3 corresponds to characteristic peak b3, and characteristic peak a4 corresponds to characteristic peak b4.

[0216] Characteristic peaks a1 and b1 have different intensities, and characteristic peaks a2 and b2 have different intensities. Therefore, characteristic peaks a1 and a2 are both target characteristic peaks.

[0217] Characteristic peaks a3 and b3 have the same intensity, and characteristic peaks a4 and b4 have the same intensity. Therefore, characteristic peaks a3 and a4 do not belong to the target characteristic peaks.

[0218] Similarly, if the reflectivity of the reflecting unit is adjusted to the third value, where the third value, the first value, and the second value are all different from each other, then: the intensity of the characteristic peak corresponding to characteristic peak a1 is different from the intensity of characteristic peak a1. The intensity of the characteristic peak corresponding to characteristic peak a2 is different from the intensity of characteristic peak a2. The intensity of the characteristic peak corresponding to characteristic peak a3 is the same as the intensity of characteristic peak a3. The intensity of the characteristic peak corresponding to characteristic peak a4 is the same as the intensity of characteristic peak a4.

[0219] Please return to Figure 10. After executing step S2, the following steps are also included:

[0220] S3. Obtain the position of the reflection point corresponding to the target feature peak in the optical link.

[0221] Following S1 and S2, the target feature peak associated with the reflecting unit is obtained. A target feature peak is a characteristic peak of the reflection characteristics between the reflecting unit and one of the multiple reflecting points. By analyzing this target feature peak, the distance between the reflecting unit and one of the multiple reflecting points can be obtained. The position of one of the multiple reflecting points can be obtained by acquiring the position information of the reflecting unit in the optical link.

[0222] For example, the aforementioned method for obtaining the position information of the reflective unit in the optical link can be, for instance, by inputting the position information of the reflective unit.

[0223] Among them, it can be obtained through the following equations (1) and (2).

[0224] The location of the reflection point corresponding to the target feature peak in the optical link.

[0225] Equation (1):

[0226] In formula (1):

[0227] i PD (t): Represents the optical signal current;

[0228] P0: Indicates the input optical power;

[0229] V s (t): Represents the signal that the transmitter needs to transmit.

[0230] α k : Indicates the angle between the polarization state of the main signal and the k-th reflected signal light;

[0231] ε k : Represents the intensity of the k-th reflected signal light;

[0232] τ k : Represents the time delay of the k-th reflected signal light relative to the main signal;

[0233] w0: Represents the frequency of the optical carrier signal;

[0234] The main signal is the first signal light g1 in Figure 2b, and the reflected signal light is the reflected signal light g3 in Figure 2b.

[0235] The signal represented by equation (1) and signal V s (t) Perform relevant calculations to obtain the characteristic peak spectrum. Based on the position and intensity of the characteristic peaks in the characteristic peak spectrum, τ can be obtained. k and ε k .

[0236] The position of the reflection point corresponding to the target characteristic peak in the optical link is calculated using equation (2).

[0237] Equation (2):

[0238] In formula (2):

[0239] τ k : Represents the time delay difference between the reflected signal formed by the reflecting unit and the reflecting point and the main signal.

[0240] C: represents the speed of light.

[0241] n: represents the refractive index of the optical fiber.

[0242] In other words, if adjusting the reflectivity of the reflective unit causes a change in the intensity of a certain characteristic peak, it indicates that the characteristic peak is the characteristic peak corresponding to one of the reflection points of the reflective unit, i.e., the characteristic peak is the target characteristic peak. The distance between the reflective unit and the reflection point is calculated using equations (1) and (2) above. The position of the reflection point can then be obtained based on the position of the reflective unit.

[0243] In the embodiments of this application, there can be multiple target feature peaks, and the position of the reflection point in each target feature peak can be obtained by the above equations (1) and (2).

[0244] The method provided in this application can obtain the location of a reflection point in an optical link. This reflection point can be replaced or repaired to reduce its reflectivity, thereby mitigating multipath interference and optimizing the communication quality of the optical link.

[0245] In embodiments with a large number of reflection points in the optical link, the characteristic peaks associated with the reflection units can be determined by adjusting the reflectivity of the reflection units, thereby obtaining the location of the reflection points and helping to optimize the communication quality of the optical link.

[0246] This application also provides a computer program product containing instructions. This computer program product may be software or a program product containing instructions, capable of running on a computing device or stored on any usable medium. When the computer program product runs on at least one computing device, it causes the at least one computing device to perform the aforementioned method for detecting the position of a reflection point in an optical link.

[0247] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computing device can store, or a data storage device such as a data center containing one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state drive). The computer-readable storage medium includes instructions that instruct a computing device to perform a method for detecting the position of a reflection point in an optical link.

[0248] In the description of this specification, specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0249] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. An optical device, characterized by The optical device includes: A light transmitter, used to emit the first signal light; A first beam splitting unit is configured to transmit the first signal light to a first optical link. The first beam splitting unit is also configured to split the second signal light into a first beam and a second beam; the second signal light is at least a portion of the first signal light reflected from the first optical link; and A reflecting unit is used to reflect the first beam back to the first beam splitting unit; the first beam splitting unit is also used to transmit the beam output by the reflecting unit.

2. The optical device according to claim 1, characterized in that The optical device further includes: a first power regulator; the first power regulator is used to adjust the power of the first beam before outputting it; The reflection unit is used to reflect the light beam output by the first power regulator back to the first beam splitter.

3. The optical device of claim 2, wherein, The reflection unit is used to reflect the light beam output by the first power regulator back to the first power regulator. The first power regulator is also used to adjust the power of the beam output by the reflection unit and output it to the first beam splitting unit.

4. The light device according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The reflection unit includes a second beam splitting unit and an optical waveguide; both ends of the optical waveguide are connected to the second beam splitting unit. The second beam splitting unit is used to split the received beam to output a first sub-beam and a second sub-beam; The optical waveguide is used to transmit the first sub-beam back to the second beam splitting unit; and to transmit the second sub-beam back to the second beam splitting unit; The second beam splitter is also used to combine the beams output from the optical waveguide and output them to the first beam splitter.

5. The optical device of claim 4, wherein, The optical device further includes: a second power regulator; The second power regulator is formed on the optical waveguide by a doping process.

6. The light device according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein The optical device also includes: The third optical splitting unit includes a first branch, a second branch, and a first port; The fourth beam splitting unit includes a third branch, a fourth branch, a second port, and a third port; the first branch and the third branch are connected, and the second branch and the fourth branch are connected. A first phase adjuster is disposed in the first branch; and An optical dissipation element for dissipating the light beam output from the second port; Wherein, the first port is used to receive the light beam; the second port or the third port is used to output the light beam received by the fourth beam splitter. The reflection unit is used to reflect the light beam output from the third port back to the third port; The first port is also used to transmit the light beam entering the fourth beam splitting unit from the third port to the first beam splitting unit.

7. The optical device of claim 6, wherein, The optical device further includes: a third power regulator; The third power regulator is used to adjust the power of the beam output from the third port before outputting it. The reflection unit is used to reflect the light beam output by the third power regulator back to the third power regulator; The third power regulator is also used to adjust the power of the beam from the reflecting unit before outputting it to the third port.

8. The light device according to any of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The optical device also includes: The housing contains the light emitter, the first beam splitting unit, and the reflective unit. A detector, disposed within the housing, is used to detect multiple characteristic peaks of the light beam in the second optical link; one characteristic peak is used to indicate: the reflection characteristic between any two reflectors among the multiple reflectors in the second optical link, or the reflection characteristic between the reflective optical element and one of the multiple reflectors; The processor, disposed within the housing, is configured to: determine a target feature peak associated with the reflective optical element from the plurality of feature peaks, and obtain the position of the reflective portion corresponding to the target feature peak in the second optical link; The second optical link includes the reflective optical element and an identifier, the identifier being used to indicate the position of the reflective optical element in the second optical link.

9. The optical device of claim 8, wherein, The processor is specifically used for: The reflectivity of the reflective optical element is adjusted from a first value to a second value, and the plurality of characteristic peaks are updated. The feature peak with the same time delay as the first feature peak among the multiple updated feature peaks is determined as the target feature peak. The target feature peak is the feature peak before the update and has a different intensity than the first feature peak.

10. The optical device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The first optical link and the second optical link share at least a portion of the optical path.

11. The light device according to any of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The first beam splitting unit includes a multimode interference coupler.

12. An optical device, characterized by The optical device includes: The first beam splitter is used to receive signal light and output a first beam and a second beam. The reflection unit reflects the first beam back to the first beam splitting unit; and An optical receiver is used to receive the second beam and the third beam; the third beam is: a beam output by the reflection unit, which sequentially passes through the first beam splitting unit, is reflected by the optical link, and then passes through the first beam splitting unit again.

13. The optical device of claim 12, wherein, The optical device also includes: A detector is used to detect multiple characteristic peaks of a light beam in an optical link; one characteristic peak is used to indicate the reflection characteristics between any two reflection points among the multiple reflection points in the optical link, or the reflection characteristics between the reflection unit and one of the multiple reflection points. The processor is configured to: determine a target feature peak associated with the reflectivity of the reflective unit from the plurality of feature peaks, and obtain the position of the reflection point corresponding to the target feature peak in the optical link.

14. An optical communications network comprising: The optical communication network includes: A light emitter, used to output the first signal light; A beam splitting unit is used to transmit the first signal light and to split the second signal light into a first beam and a second beam; the second signal light is at least a portion of the first signal light reflected by the optical link. A reflection unit is used to reflect the first beam back to the beam splitting unit, and the beam splitting unit is also used to transmit the beam output by the reflection unit; The optical link is used to transmit the light beam; and A receiver is used to receive the light beam output by the beam splitter.

15. A method of detecting the location of a reflection point in an optical link, characterized by, The optical link includes: a beam splitting unit, a reflection unit, and multiple reflection points. One of the reflection points is used to reflect a portion of the first signal light to output a second signal light. The beam splitting unit is used to split the second signal light into a first beam and a second beam. The reflection unit is used to reflect the first beam back to the beam splitting unit. The beam splitting unit is also used to transmit the first signal light and the beam output by the reflection unit. The method for detecting the position of the reflection point in the optical link includes: Multiple characteristic peaks of the beam output by the beam splitting unit are obtained; one characteristic peak is used to indicate: the reflection characteristics between the reflection unit and one of the multiple reflection points, or the reflection characteristics between any two of the multiple reflection points; From the plurality of characteristic peaks, determine the target characteristic peak that is associated with the reflectivity of the reflective unit; The position of the reflection point corresponding to the target feature peak in the optical link is obtained.

16. The method for detecting the position of a reflection point in an optical link according to claim 15, characterized in that, Determining the target feature peak associated with the reflectivity of the reflective unit from the plurality of feature peaks includes: The reflectivity of the reflective unit is adjusted from a first value to a second value, and the plurality of characteristic peaks are updated. The feature peak with the same time delay as the first feature peak among the updated feature peaks is determined as the target feature peak. The intensity of the target feature peak is the same as that of the feature peak before the update, and is different from the intensity of the first feature peak.

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