Optical Fiber Transient Event Logging via Timestamped Signal Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fiber optic systems face performance degradation due to significant transient span losses in optical fiber spans, which are not effectively monitored or logged, leading to unidentified short-term faults and potential service disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for logging transient events in optical fiber spans by sampling signal parameters, processing these measurements to detect transient events, and providing them with timestamps for correlation with other events within the fiber optic system, enabling the identification of root causes of faults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fiber optic systems are used without transient event monitoring, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to unidentified short-term faults causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transient event monitoring and logging system as an intermediary component that detects, records, and timestamps span loss events. This mediator captures transient events without disrupting the primary fiber optic transmission function, enabling fault identification while maintaining system simplicity through dedicated monitoring infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring signal parameters, detecting transient events, logging them with timestamps, and making this information available for correlation with other monitored events. This feedback loop enables identification of root causes by comparing transient events with other system parameters, improving reliability without requiring fundamental system redesign
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If transient events are monitored and logged with timestamps, then fault analysis capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sampling and processing components
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring function is segmented into distinct operational components: sampling measured values of signal parameters, processing these values to detect transient events, and providing timestamps for correlation. This segmentation allows each function to be implemented independently using existing fiber optic monitoring capabilities, reducing overall system complexity while improving detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is designed to be multi-functional by using the same sampling and processing infrastructure for multiple purposes: detecting span loss transients, logging events with timestamps, and enabling correlation with other monitored events. This universal approach avoids duplicating monitoring components and reduces device complexity while enhancing transient event detection capability
3Measurement precision
If continuous sampling of signal parameters is performed, then measurement precision of transient events is improved, but use of energy increases due to continuous monitoring operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs continuous sampling of signal parameters at regular intervals rather than attempting truly continuous monitoring. This periodic sampling approach captures transient events with sufficient precision for fault analysis while reducing energy consumption by allowing the system to operate in discrete measurement cycles rather than constant operation
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus for logging transient events of an optical fiber span within a fiber optic system, the method comprising the steps of sampling measured values of at least one signal parameter of an optical signal transported through said optical fiber span, OFS; processing the sampled measurement values to detect an occurrence of a transient event during transport of the optical signal through said optical fiber span, OFS; and providing each detected transient event with a time stamp for correlation with other monitored events within said fiber optic system.