Optical Splitter Reflective Film Remote Network Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The efficiency of detecting optical networks is low due to the need for manual testing devices to be carried to the site of optical splitters, which are prone to performance deterioration in high-temperature, high-humidity environments, leading to increased link loss and potential failures.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize an optical splitter with a reflective film on one output port to reflect a testing signal, allowing a testing device to report the reflection peak power to a management device for comparison with a preset value, determining the status of the fiber link and optical splitter without physical presence at the splitter site.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual testing devices are carried to the optical splitter site for detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but detection efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiddetection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses optical signal copying principle where the testing optical signal is reflected back through the optical network to create a return signal that carries information about the network status. The management device analyzes this reflected signal to determine splitter and link status without physical presence at the splitter site, thereby improving detection efficiency while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an optical reflective film as an intermediary element on the optical splitter. This reflective film enables the testing signal to be reflected back through the existing optical infrastructure, allowing remote detection through the management device without requiring manual intervention at the splitter location, thus resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If remote detection is implemented using reflective signals, then detection efficiency is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection efficiencyVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the testing optical signal is reflected back through the optical network and the return signal characteristics (power level, timing) are analyzed by the management device. This feedback loop provides information about splitter status and link integrity, enabling accurate remote detection by comparing the reflected signal properties against expected values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in optical signal parameters (power level, timing, reflection characteristics) to detect network status. By monitoring these parameter variations in the reflected signal, the management device can accurately determine splitter and link status remotely, maintaining measurement precision while improving detection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhances the detection efficiency of optical network status and fiber link integrity by enabling remote assessment, reducing the need for on-site testing and improving the reliability of optical network monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

a reflective film is disposed on an end surface of one optical output port except the N optical output ports, and the testing optical signal is reflected by using the reflective film

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3018838B1Optical path processing method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2017.11.15 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3018838B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3018838B1 patent drawingFigure 1C
  • EP3018838B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, an apparatus, a device, and a system for detecting an optical network, and an optical splitter. The method includes: receiving, by a management device, a reflection peak power reported by a testing device, where the reflection peak power is a reflection peak power of an optical splitter that is obtained by the testing device according to a reflected optical signal, the reflected optical signal is an optical signal obtained by reflecting, by the optical splitter, a testing optical signal that is sent by the testing device and is transmitted to the optical splitter through an optical cable, and the optical splitter reflects the testing optical signal by using a reflective film disposed on an end surface of one optical output port; and detecting the optical network by comparing the reflection peak power with a preset reflection power of the optical splitter. According to the embodiments of the present invention, because a detector does not need to carry a testing device to a site at which an optical splitter is disposed, to perform detection, efficiency of detecting performance of an optical network is improved.