Optical Transceiver Integrated OTDR Mode

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical transceivers lack integrated capabilities for efficient OTDR testing, requiring separate instruments and procedures, which are inconvenient and costly, especially for identifying fiber breaks and characterizing optical fibers.

Innovation Solution

An optical transceiver with integrated OTDR functionality, including beam splitters, a lateral guide, and an optical shutter, allows for automatic detection of back-scattered signals, enabling remote and efficient characterization of optical fibers without disrupting communication signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a standalone OTDR instrument is used to characterize optical fiber, then testing capability is provided, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the OTDR testing functionality with the optical transceiver by integrating a light source, receiver, beam splitters, and a lateral guide channel into a single unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate standalone OTDR instruments, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining full testing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical transceiver is designed to perform both communication functions and OTDR testing functions using shared components. The same light source and receiver used for data transmission are also utilized for fiber characterization, making the device universal and eliminating the need for dedicated testing equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a standalone OTDR instrument is used, then fiber characterization is achieved, but loss of time occurs due to separate procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber characterization capabilityVSAvoidtesting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating OTDR functionality directly into the transceiver, the system eliminates the need to physically connect separate testing instruments. The fiber characterization can be performed immediately through the existing optical connection, significantly reducing setup time and procedural delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If integrated OTDR functionality is added to the transceiver, then testing efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidtransceiver complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves integrated OTDR functionality by merging the testing components (light source, receiver, beam splitters, lateral guide) with the existing transceiver structure. This approach improves testing efficiency by eliminating external equipment while adding minimal complexity through the use of integrated optical pathways and shared components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If separate OTDR equipment is used, then fiber testing is performed, but ease of operation decreases due to multiple devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber testing capabilityVSAvoidoperational convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of OTDR functionality into the transceiver allows fiber testing to be performed through the same interface used for data communication. This eliminates the need to switch between multiple devices or connection types, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining full fiber characterization capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables compact, cost-effective, and automated OTDR testing within the transceiver, reducing the need for separate equipment and procedures, facilitating quick identification of fiber anomalies and improving testing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

detects light that is Rayleigh scattered and reflected back from locations in the fiber where the fiber's index of refraction changes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBack-scattered radiation: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

The transceiver also has an OTDR mode in which the electronic circuitry causes the transmitter arrangement to transmit an OTDR signal, the back-scattered radiation from which is received by the receiver arrangement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeam splitting: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9036991B2Optical transceiver having an OTDR mode, and a method of obtaining test data for testing an optical fiber

Publication Date: 2015.05.19 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEV LP

AI summary

An optical transceiver has a communications mode and an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) mode. The transceiver comprises a transmitter channel and a receiver channel operable, in the communications mode, to respectively transmit and receive communications signals through respective external optical fibers. The transceiver also comprises a guide arrangement for guiding, in the OTDR mode, a reflected OTDR signal along a path from the transmitter channel into the receiver channel. A method of obtaining test data for an optical fiber in an optical data communications subsystem is also disclosed.