OTDR Probe Integration in Optical Supervisory Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high costs and complex assembly associated with separately integrating an OTDR unit in optical fiber networks, particularly in WDM systems, hinder efficient real-time optical fiber status detection, leading to increased maintenance time and economic losses due to service interruptions.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber status detection method where a first station alternately sends OTDR pulses and OSC data on the same channel to a neighboring station, using a shared wavelength, allowing for real-time monitoring without the need for multiple OTDR units, thereby reducing costs and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an OTDR unit is directly integrated as an independent unit in a device, then real-time online optical fiber status detection can be implemented, but device costs and installation costs become very high due to occupying cabinet space or device slots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the OTDR probe function with the existing optical supervisory channel (OSC) system by integrating an OTDR probe module into the optical line terminal (OLT) device. This allows the OTDR functionality to share the OSC wavelength (1510nm) and utilize existing optical paths and processing circuits, eliminating the need for separate OTDR units and reducing device costs while maintaining real-time detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The OLT device is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the optical line terminal for normal service and the OTDR probe device for fault detection. The optical processing circuit in the OLT can process both service signals and OTDR probe signals, making the device universal and eliminating the need for dedicated OTDR hardware in each direction
2Device complexity
If an OTDR unit is integrated in a station with multipath optical switch to monitor optical fiber alarms in multiple directions, then costs for configuring OTDR units are reduced, but real-time online optical fiber status detection cannot be implemented and line assembly becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the OTDR probe function directly into the OLT's optical processing circuit rather than using a separate multipath optical switch. The optical processing circuit is designed to handle both service signals and OTDR probe signals through the same OSC wavelength, enabling real-time detection without complex switching mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the OTDR probe function from separate directional units and consolidates it into the central OLT device. By taking out the need for multiple independent OTDR units and their associated optical switches, the system achieves real-time detection with simpler assembly
3Measurement precision
If a conventional handheld OTDR is used for optical fiber line fault location, then fault detection can be performed, but maintenance time increases and service interruption time increases causing economic loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by continuously performing OTDR probing in the background through the integrated OLT device. The system proactively monitors optical fiber status in real-time before faults occur, maintaining continuous detection capability without requiring manual intervention or service interruptions, thus preventing rather than just detecting faults
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically conducting OTDR probe tests through the integrated OLT without requiring external handheld devices or manual maintenance operations. The optical processing circuit autonomously processes probe signals and generates fault location information, enabling the system to monitor and diagnose its own optical fibers continuously
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical fiber status detection method is used to resolve prior-art problems of relatively high costs and complex assembly caused by separately integrating an OTDR unit. The method includes: alternately sending, by a first station, an optical time domain reflectometer OTDR pulse and optical supervisory channel OSC data to a second station on a same channel, where the second station is a neighboring station of the first station; and receiving, by the first station, reflection light returned by the OTDR pulse by using an optical fiber between the first station and the second station, and obtaining an OTDR probe value according to the reflection light.