Optical Transceiver Integrated OTDR Monitoring

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional OTDR equipment for passive optical networks is expensive and difficult to wire, especially in server rooms, due to the need for additional WDMs and OTDR devices.

Innovation Solution

An optical transceiver with an integrated OTDR monitoring system, utilizing a three-band WDM system with wavelengths at 1310 nm, 1490 nm, and 1625 nm, which includes a data signal driver, limiting amplifier, and OTDR data processing module, simplifies network wiring and reduces costs by integrating OTDR functionality within the optical line terminal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional OTDR equipment is used with separate WDM systems, then fiber monitoring capability is achieved, but system cost and wiring complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber monitoring capabilityVSAvoidwiring complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the OTDR monitoring function with the existing optical transceiver by integrating a wavelength division multiplexing unit that combines data communication and OTDR monitoring wavelengths. This integration eliminates the need for separate OTDR equipment and external WDM systems, thereby reducing wiring complexity while maintaining fiber monitoring capability through the unified optical device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical transceiver is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a data communication device and an OTDR monitoring device. The wavelength division multiplexing unit enables the single device to handle multiple functions: data transmission at one wavelength and fiber testing at another wavelength, thus eliminating the need for separate dedicated equipment and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate OTDR devices and WDM units are deployed, then fiber testing functionality is provided, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber testing functionalityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional components (optical transceiver, WDM unit, and OTDR monitoring module) into a single integrated device. This merging eliminates the need to purchase and deploy separate OTDR devices and additional WDM units, thereby reducing system cost while maintaining complete fiber testing functionality through the integrated wavelength division multiplexing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical transceiver is designed as a universal device that performs both data communication and fiber testing functions. By incorporating the wavelength division multiplexing unit directly into the transceiver, the system achieves multi-functionality without requiring separate dedicated equipment, thus reducing overall system cost while preserving complete fiber testing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If additional WDMs and OTDR equipment are added to the network, then monitoring capability is enhanced, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring capabilityVSAvoidinstallation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the monitoring capability into the existing optical transceiver by integrating a wavelength division multiplexing unit that combines data communication and OTDR monitoring wavelengths. This integration eliminates the need for separate OTDR equipment and external WDM systems, thereby reducing installation difficulty while maintaining enhanced monitoring capability through the unified optical device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution minimizes costs and wiring complexities by integrating OTDR monitoring into the optical transceiver, allowing for successful data monitoring and reducing the number of OTDR devices and WDM units required, thereby enhancing network efficiency and reducing system costs.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a three-band WDM system with wavelengths at 1310 nm, 1490 nm, and 1625 nm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWavelength division multiplexing: Dispersion (of waves)

Implementation Method 2

fiber-reflected optical signals are collected at a high speed at or from the fiber input terminal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS8942556B2Optical transceiver integrated with optical time domain reflectometer monitoring

Publication Date: 2015.01.27 SOURCE PHOTONICS INC

AI summary

An optical transceiver having an integrated optical time domain reflectometer monitoring unit and methods for using the same are disclosed. The disclosure relates to an optical transceiver comprising an optical device comprising a wavelength division multiplexing system (WDM), a data signal driver, a data signal limiting amplifier, and an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) data processing module. Furthermore, the optical transceiver is particularly advantageous in an optical line terminal (OLT) and/or a passive optical network (PON). The integrated OTDR data processing module can protect the optical transceiver, ensure successful monitoring data, simplify network wiring and decrease system and network costs by decreasing the number of OTDR modules and WDM units.