OTDR Single Port Visible Light Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing optical time domain reflectometers (OTDRs) face inefficiencies in switching between measurement modes, leading to potential communication failures when using visible light for fault inspection, as they require physical port switching and do not account for ongoing communication light in the optical fiber.
Innovation Solution
An OTDR design that emits both invisible and visible light through the same incidence-emission port, utilizing an output judgment section to determine the presence of communication light and prevent interference, thereby eliminating the need for port switching and ensuring continuous communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visible light is emitted for fault inspection, then fault point identification is improved, but communication failure occurs due to interference with communication light
Solution Approach 1:
The output judgment section detects communication light presence before visible light emission, and the control section prohibits visible light emission when communication light is detected, preventing interference before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The output judgment section continuously monitors the optical fiber for communication light presence and provides feedback to the control section, which adjusts visible light emission accordingly to maintain communication reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If port switching is used for mode change, then measurement function separation is improved, but working efficiency deteriorates due to physical switching requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The OTDR combines both OTDR function and visible light source function in a single port configuration, eliminating the need for physical port switching between different measurement modes and improving working efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The incidence-emission port serves multiple functions by supporting both OTDR measurement mode and visible light source mode through wavelength differentiation, allowing the same port to perform different measurement tasks without physical switching
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 design enhances working efficiency by allowing simultaneous measurement and fault inspection without disrupting communication, preventing communication failures by judging and managing the output of visible light based on communication light presence.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the level and the light reception time of reflected light and backscattered light from the measured optical fiber
Implementation Method 2
measuring the level and the light reception time of reflected light and backscattered light from the measured optical fiber
Implementation Method 3
light leaks from the fault point and thus if the light is visible light, the user can easily recognize leakage light and can also find the fault point
Data Source
AI summary
An improvement is added to an optical time domain reflectometer for emitting pulsed light of invisible light to a measured optical fiber, receiving return light of the pulsed light by a light detection section, measuring the measured optical fiber, and emitting visible light for visible inspection of a fault point of the measured optical fiber to the measured optical fiber. The optical time domain reflectometer includes an incidence-emission port for emitting the invisible light and the visible light to the measured optical fiber and an output judgment section for judging that a communication light exists in the measured optical fiber based on the light power of the light detection section receiving light incident through the incidence-emission port in a state in which the pulsed light of the invisible light is not emitted.