Optical Fiber Transmission Line Estimation Using Power Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for estimating optical fiber characteristics, such as using multi-wavelength OTDRs, are costly and require opening the fiber ends or connecting reflectors, leading to high workload and expense.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that utilizes a processor to generate a power profile based on electric field information of optical signals, calculating dispersion coefficients by dividing dispersion amounts by span lengths, without the need for expensive multi-wavelength OTDRs or opening fiber ends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a multi-wavelength OTDR is used to estimate optical fiber characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electrical field information signals (electrical copies of optical signals) instead of direct optical measurements. The receiver converts optical signals to electrical signals, and the processor analyzes these electrical representations to extract dispersion characteristics, avoiding the need for complex optical measurement equipment like multi-wavelength OTDRs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the optical measurement system (OTDR) with an electrical signal processing system. Instead of using optical pulses and reflection detection, the system uses electrical field information signals and digital signal processing to estimate fiber characteristics, substituting mechanical/optical components with electrical and computational components
2Measurement precision
If a multi-wavelength OTDR is used to estimate optical fiber characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses standard receiver components and electrical signals that are much cheaper than specialized OTDR equipment. The system leverages existing receiver hardware and uses computational algorithms instead of expensive optical measurement instruments, significantly reducing the cost of fiber characterization
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses electrical field information signals as copies of optical signals, which can be processed with standard electrical equipment and software algorithms, avoiding the need for expensive specialized optical measurement devices
3Measurement precision
If fiber ends are opened or reflectors are connected for measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs measurements using signals already present in the optical transmission system without requiring additional equipment or modifications at fiber ends. The receiver uses its own received optical signals to extract dispersion characteristics, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for external reflectors or open fiber end preparations
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver performs multiple functions: it receives optical signals, converts them to electrical signals, and simultaneously extracts fiber dispersion characteristics. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate measurement equipment and specialized fiber end configurations required by traditional OTDR methods
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
This approach reduces costs and workload by accurately estimating optical fiber characteristics using a processor to measure power and dispersion coefficients, enabling efficient fiber type identification in optical transmission systems.
Implementation Method 1
generates, based on an electric field information signal indicating an electric field of the optical signal received by the second node
Implementation Method 2
an optical signal is transmitted from a first node to a second node via the optical fiber transmission line
Data Source
AI summary
A characteristics estimation device estimates characteristics of an optical fiber transmission line in an optical transmission system in which an optical signal is transmitted from first node to second node via the optical fiber transmission line. The characteristics estimation device includes a processor. The processor generates, based on electric field information indicating an electric field of the optical signal received by the second node via the optical fiber transmission line, a power profile indicating a relationship between power of the optical signal and dispersion amount corresponding to a transmission distance from the first node or the second node. The processor detects a span forming the optical fiber transmission line by using the power profile. The processor calculates, for the detected span, a dispersion coefficient of the optical fiber transmission line by dividing the dispersion amount estimated based on the power profile by a corresponding span length.