Coded-Sequence OTDR Trace Correction Using Inter-Pulse Variation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Coded-sequence OTDR technologies generate artefacts in the OTDR trace due to unequal pulse amplitudes, especially in the presence of strong reflective events, compromising the characterization of individual events along the optical fiber.

Innovation Solution

Perform multiple coded-sequence OTDR acquisitions with different inter-pulse intervals to change the positions of artefacts in the OTDR traces, and combine these traces to reconstruct a high-quality OTDR trace by applying masks to eliminate artefacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If coded sequence OTDR acquisitions are performed with a single inter-pulse interval, then acquisition time is reduced through pulse compression, but artefacts are generated in the OTDR trace due to unequal pulse amplitudes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacquisition timeVSAvoidartefacts in OTDR trace
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the single OTDR acquisition into multiple coded sequence acquisitions, each performed with a different inter-pulse interval. By dividing the measurement into multiple segments with varying parameters, the artefacts generated in each individual acquisition are positioned differently in the trace, allowing them to be separated and eliminated through combination of the segmented results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the inter-pulse interval parameter across multiple coded sequence acquisitions. By varying this critical parameter, the position of artefacts in the OTDR trace changes between acquisitions, enabling the artefacts to be distinguished from actual fiber events and removed through mathematical combination of the multiple traces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If multiple coded-sequence OTDR acquisitions with different inter-pulse intervals are performed and combined, then artefacts are eliminated from the OTDR trace, but acquisition time and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveartefacts in OTDR traceVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the harmful artefacts from the OTDR trace by performing multiple acquisitions with different inter-pulse intervals. The artefacts appear at different positions in each acquisition, allowing them to be identified and extracted from the combined trace through mathematical processing, leaving only the genuine fiber events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses mathematical combination operations as an intermediary process to merge multiple OTDR traces acquired with different inter-pulse intervals. This intermediary processing step allows the system to eliminate artefacts while preserving genuine fiber events, transforming multiple imperfect traces into a single high-quality trace.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If multiple coded-sequence OTDR acquisitions with different inter-pulse intervals are performed and combined, then artefacts are eliminated from the OTDR trace, but acquisition time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveartefacts in OTDR traceVSAvoidacquisition time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs periodic coded sequence acquisitions with different inter-pulse intervals, where each acquisition cycle generates traces with artefacts at different positions. By performing a small number of periodic acquisitions and combining them through mathematical operations, the system eliminates artefacts while keeping the total acquisition time manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention performs preliminary coded sequence acquisitions with different inter-pulse intervals to generate multiple traces before combining them. This preliminary action allows the artefacts to be positioned differently in each trace, facilitating their subsequent elimination through mathematical combination and resulting in a clean final trace.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method reduces and eliminates artefacts in the OTDR trace, providing improved characterization of optical fiber events without compromising trace quality.

Implementation Method 1

returning light, arising from backscattering and reflections along the fiber link, is detected and analyzed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBackscattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

returning light, arising from backscattering and reflections along the fiber link, is detected and analyzed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4644858A1Correction technique for coded sequence otdr
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 EXFO
  • EP4644858A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4644858A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4644858A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

There are provided coded-sequence OTDR methods and devices which diminish or erase artefacts created in the OTDR trace by performing multiple coded-sequence OTDR acquisitions with mutually different inter-pulse intervals so as to change the positions of the artefacts in the OTDR traces derived from these OTDR acquisitions and combining the multiple OTDR traces to reconstruct a reconstructed OTDR trace.