Optimeter Device for Fiber Optic Link Certification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber optic link certification methods struggle to accurately classify events, such as splitters, in fiber optic networks, often misidentifying them as end-of-fiber events.
Innovation Solution
The use of a combination of light power level measurement and OTDR event detection, where an Optimeter device performs both power meter and OTDR functions, to classify events by analyzing light power levels at specific wavelengths and OTDR measurements, allowing for accurate identification of splitters without disconnecting the fiber optic cable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If only OTDR measurement is used for event detection, then the measurement process is simple, but event classification precision deteriorates (splitters misidentified as end-of-fiber events)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines OTDR event detection with light power level measurement into a unified certification process. The Optimeter device integrates both OTDR functionality and power meter functionality, allowing simultaneous or sequential execution of both measurements to accurately classify events as either splitters or end-of-fiber events based on the correlation between OTDR detected events and corresponding light power levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The Optimeter device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can execute OTDR measurements for event detection, perform light power level measurements at specific wavelengths, and correlate results to classify events. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate OTDR and power meter devices, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If fiber optic cable is disconnected to certify the link, then measurement accuracy improves, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary light power level measurements at specific wavelengths before or during the OTDR event detection process. By having the light power level measurement capability ready and integrated in the Optimeter device, the system can immediately correlate measurements with detected events without requiring cable disconnection, thus maintaining both accuracy and productivity.
3Measurement precision
If only power meter measurement is used, then device complexity is low, but measurement precision deteriorates (cannot detect events along the fiber)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges power meter measurement capability with OTDR event detection capability into a single Optimeter device. This combination allows the system to leverage the event detection strength of OTDR and the power measurement strength of power meters, achieving comprehensive event classification precision without requiring separate complex systems.
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 enables precise event classification, ensuring accurate certification of fiber optic links by correctly identifying splitters and other network components, thereby improving network reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) measurement to detect at least one event associated with the DUT
Implementation Method 2
a light power level measurement to determine whether a light power level associated with the DUT is below a light power level threshold
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, OTDR event detection and light power level measurement-based fiber optic link certification may include performing, at one end of a device under test (DUT) of a network, a light power level measurement. An OTDR measurement may be performed at the one end of the DUT to detect at least one event associated with the DUT. Based on analysis of the light power level measurement and the OTDR measurement, an event classification may be generated to classify the at least one event associated with the DUT.