Polymer Wavelength Tunable Laser for Optical Time Domain Reflectometer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Optical Time Domain Reflectometers (OTDRs) face limitations in increasing dynamic range and resolution due to nonlinear effects from high-power optical pulses, which lead to measurement errors and reduced accuracy in fault location within optical fiber cables.
Innovation Solution
An OTDR system utilizing a wavelength-tunable laser with a polymer Bragg grating waveguide and thermal control, maintaining constant optical intensity, and incorporating an optical circulator and filters to minimize nonlinear effects and enhance dynamic range, allowing the use of optical amplifiers like EDFA.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the amplitude of the optical pulse is increased to increase the dynamic range, then the measurable distance increases, but a strong nonlinear effect arises causing pulse shape distortion and measurement error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the optical source instead of increasing pulse amplitude. By tuning the wavelength across different values, the system achieves extended dynamic range while maintaining pulse shape integrity and avoiding nonlinear effects that occur with high amplitude pulses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamically tunable wavelength laser that can adjust its operating wavelength during measurement. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the OTDR to adapt to different fiber conditions and extend measurement range without the harmful effects of high-power pulses.
2Measurement precision
If a high-power optical pulse is used to increase the dynamic range, then the measurable distance increases, but the optical intensity changes quickly over time making it inappropriate to use EDFA
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a wavelength-tunable laser that operates at different wavelength values rather than high power. This approach enables the use of optical amplifiers like EDFA because the optical intensity remains stable over time, allowing these amplifiers to be effectively integrated into the OTDR system for extended reach applications.
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
The solution reduces measurement errors by maintaining constant optical signal intensity, enabling improved dynamic range and resolution while allowing the use of optical amplifiers like EDFA, thus enhancing the accuracy of fault location in optical fiber cables.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer Bragg grating waveguide for controlling a reflected wavelength
Implementation Method 2
a thermal electrode for heating the polymer Bragg grating waveguide based on a control signal
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an optical time domain reflectometer using, as a optical source, a polymer wavelength tunable laser which tunes the wavelength of an optical signal by using polymer grating. The optical time domain reflectometer of the present invention tunes the wavelength of a polymer wavelength tunable laser that outputs a constant optical signal and inspects cutting, reflection, and damage of an optical line by separating an optical signal returning from the optical line by an optical filter having a specific central wavelength. Since a optical source having a constant light intensity is used, the present invention has an effect of reducing the nonlinear effect generated in an optical line.