Automated Fiber Optic Testing Terminals for Undersea Cable Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fiber optic telecommunication system testing is slow and inefficient, requiring extensive time and expertise, and is particularly challenging in undersea systems where components are difficult to access.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of computer-implemented methods and non-transitory computer-readable mediums that allow for the automatic configuration and testing of fiber optic telecommunication systems, enabling rapid bidirectional testing of all channels and fiber pairs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional testing techniques are used, then testing can be performed with simple equipment, but testing time becomes excessively long (over 1000 hours for full system testing)
Solution Approach 1:
The testing system is divided into multiple testing terminals that can operate independently and simultaneously test different channels and fiber pairs. Each terminal handles a portion of the overall testing task, allowing parallel execution of multiple tests that would otherwise be sequential in conventional systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration and setup automatically before actual testing begins. Test plans, configurations, and measurement parameters are pre-programmed into the testing terminals, enabling immediate execution of comprehensive tests without manual setup time for each test sequence.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive testing of all channels and fiber pairs is performed, then system characterization accuracy improves, but testing time and complexity increase dramatically
Solution Approach 1:
The testing terminals are designed as multi-functional devices capable of performing various types of measurements across multiple channels and fiber pairs simultaneously. A single terminal can execute different test protocols and measure multiple parameters, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment for each test type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts testing parameters such as wavelength, power levels, and measurement configurations based on the specific channel and fiber pair being tested. This adaptive parameter adjustment allows comprehensive characterization while maintaining efficient test execution through automated optimization of measurement conditions.
3Reliability
If expert selection of test configurations is used, then test results may be optimized, but the process requires extensive expertise and time
Solution Approach 1:
The testing system performs self-configuration and self-optimization automatically. The testing terminals autonomously select appropriate test protocols, adjust measurement parameters, and configure equipment settings based on pre-programmed algorithms that analyze system characteristics and determine optimal testing approaches without human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where initial test results are automatically analyzed and used to adjust subsequent testing parameters and configurations. This closed-loop approach ensures high-quality results by continuously optimizing test settings based on actual system performance data collected during the testing process.
4Reliability
If bidirectional testing is performed on all 12 fiber pairs with 120 channels each, then complete system validation is achieved, but testing would take over 1000 hours
Solution Approach 1:
The comprehensive testing task is segmented across multiple testing terminals operating in parallel. Each terminal is assigned specific fiber pairs and channels to test, allowing simultaneous execution of bidirectional measurements on different portions of the system. This parallelization reduces total testing time from over 1000 hours to a practical duration while maintaining complete system validation.
Data Source
AI summary
This application describes techniques for testing fiber optic telecommunication systems, such as undersea fiber optic cable systems. Testing terminals may be deployed at a location of terminating equipment for a fiber optic cable. The testing terminals may be operated remotely. The testing terminals may be configured to programmatically test the cable by loading one or more tests and automatically configure the cable's transmitters and receivers based on predetermined loading schemes selected based on the tests to be performed. The testing terminals may iterate over channels and fiber pairs of the cable and may use back-to-back tests to remove artifacts from test results. Using the described techniques, a cable's channels and fiber pairs can be fully characterized in the amount of time afforded for a typical testing schedule, which was not generally possible using conventional testing.