There is provided a method for measuring the spectral transmission response of a DUT using a multi-wavelength Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) which allows performing OTDR measurements across a spectral range of interest. The OTDR targets a single reflective OTDR event along the OTDR trace, e.g., a mirror, a non-angled polished (UPC) connector or any other reflective surface located at the remote end of the DUT, which reflectance peak in combination with a reference measurement allows to perform single-end measurements of the transmission response. The process is repeated at various wavelengths to obtain a spectral transmission response of the DUT.
There is provided an optical-fiber connector endface inspection microscope device that is natively designed for inspecting angled-polished (APC) optical-fiber connectors, i.e., without requiring an angled adapter tip or optical components in the adapter tip to deviate light reflected from the optical-fiber endface. Adapter tips are still needed to adapt the microscope device to different types of connectors, but they are small, straight, and low cost. This can be achieved using optics configured to deviate the illumination path so illumination light exits the inspection microscope device along an illumination path that is at an angle that is substantially egal to 8 degrees, so as to illuminate the connector endface in a direction that is substantially normal to the angled-polished endface to be inspected.
A method of locating a hollow-core fiber segment amongst silica core segments in optical fiber link is provided. An OTDR test instrument sends test signals along the fiber link and a Rayleigh backscatter level as a function of distance along the optical fiber link of returning signals is measured. The position of the proximal extremity of the hollow-core optical fiber segment is identified by locating a discrete drop greater than a drop threshold value in the Rayleigh backscatter level. The position of the distal extremity of the hollow-core fiber segment is identified by locating one of a discrete step greater than a step threshold value in the Rayleigh backscatter level and end-of-fiber indicator. The drop threshold value and the step threshold value are commensurate with a difference between a Rayleigh backscatter level in hollow-core optical fibers and in the type of silica core optical fibers of the optical fiber link.
G01M 11/00 - Testing of optical apparatusTesting structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
There are provided coded-sequence OTDR methods and devices which diminish or erase artefacts created in the OTDR trace by performing multiple coded-sequence OTDR acquisitions with mutually different inter-pulse intervals so as to change the positions of the artefacts in the OTDR traces derived from these OTDR acquisitions and combining the multiple OTDR traces to reconstruct a reconstructed OTDR trace.
G01M 11/00 - Testing of optical apparatusTesting structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
5.
OPTICAL FIBER ENDFACE INSPECTION MICROSCOPE CONFIGURABLE FOR INSPECTION OF ANGLED- AND NON-ANGLED-POLISHED CONNECTORS
There is therefore provided an optical-fiber connector endface inspection microscope device that can support inspection of both angled-polished (APC) and non-angled-polished (UPC) optical-fiber connectors without the need to change the adapter tip. Adapter tips are still needed to adapt the microscope device to different formats of connectors, but they can be small, straight, and low cost, and most of all, they don't need to be changed between APC and UPC connector inspection. This can be achieved using an inspection microscope device comprising two modes of operation, i.e., one for UPC inspection and one for APC inspection, which are associated with distinct illumination paths.
Methods and systems for identifying one or more common optical path portions between a first and a second deployed optical fibers of a communication network are disclosed. Each of the first and second deployed optical fibers are potentially affected by vibration events therealong. A method includes performing a plurality of successive acquisitions, each acquisition comprising sending at least one test signal sensitive to the vibration events in the first and second deployed optical fibers and receiving at least one return test signal therefrom, locating the vibration events affecting the first and second deployed optical fibers based on the received at least one return test signal over said plurality of acquisitions, determining a correspondence between the vibration events located along the first and the second deployed optical fiber, respectively and identifying the one or more common optical path portions between the first and second optical fibers based on said correspondence.
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
G01D 5/353 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using optical means, i.e. using infrared, visible or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre
G01H 9/00 - Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by using radiation-sensitive means, e.g. optical means
7.
REFERENCING OPTICAL POWER LOSS MEASUREMENTS USING REFLECTOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS
Methods and systems for referencing an optical power loss measurement (OPLM) system, and methods and systems for measuring an optical insertion loss of an optical device under test (DUT) using an OPLM system referenced as such. The herein-provided reflectometric one-cord referencing method combines the capabilities of an OPLM system with that of an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR). A first test unit comprises an optical source that is used as the light source in the OPLM. A second test unit comprises a power meter which is used as the power meter in the OPLM measurement. Either the first or the second test unit comprises an OTDR acquisition device. The reflectometric one-cord reference measures the connector loss along the reference link using OTDR capabilities of the test unit(s). Once the power reference of the OPLM devices is obtained, the reflectometric one-cord reference method may determine the optical insertion loss of the DUT while eliminating the measured connector loss.
G01M 11/00 - Testing of optical apparatusTesting structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for
H04B 10/073 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using an out-of-service signal
H04B 10/079 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using an in-service signal using measurements of the data signal
8.
OPTICAL FIBER TESTING USING POLARIZATION OPTICAL TIME DOMAIN REFLECTOMETRY
A testing method for an optical fiber is provided. The method involves the use of a P-OTDR device to launch polarized light pulses from the P-OTDR device into the fiber extremity of an optical fiber and obtain a return light signal. Concurrently, a polarization state of light travelling in a distal fiber segment is varied, a polarization component of the return light signal is isolated, and a set of P-OTDR traces are acquired. The set of P-OTDR traces is processed to detect a change in polarization of the return light signal. Upon detecting such a change an information relative to the distal fiber segment and the fiber extremity can be reported. The method may for example be used as a fiber identification method or a geo-referencing method. A P-OTDR device is also provided.
Systems and methods for contactless identification of an optical fiber under test (FUT) are disclosed. System embodiments include an optical power meter and an optical accessory. The power meter can include a casing, a detection port extending through the casing, and a photodetector optically coupled to the detection port within the casing. The accessory can include a housing and a focusing lens. The housing extends between an attachment end and a testing end, and encloses an interior region defining an optical pathway. The attachment end is releasably connected to the detection port, while the testing end is configured to be positioned at a testing distance from the FUT and allow fiber light emanating from the FUT to enter the optical pathway via free-space propagation. The focusing lens is positioned within the housing along the optical pathway and configured to direct the fiber light onto the photodetector through the detection port.
In order to assist in determining the physical nature of an optical event as monitored by an OTDR in an optical fiber network, there are herein provided OTDR methods and system which leverage historical values measured on reflective events for characterizing events along an optical fiber link. A plurality of OTDR acquisitions is performed toward the optical fiber link over a period of time. Parameters characterizing a target event are derived using the recorded OTDR acquisitions. One of said parameters represents a stability, over the period of time, of a reflectance peak level associated with the event. The event is classified at least based on said stability.
G01M 11/00 - Testing of optical apparatusTesting structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
H04B 10/25 - Arrangements specific to fibre transmission
Systems and methods for performing Optical Time-Domain Reflectometry (OTDR) tests on optical fibers are provided. In an embodiment, a method includes applying OTDR pulses to a fiber under test and receiving noisy acquisition sets of the fiber under test; processing the noisy acquisition sets with a denoising model that is a pre-trained machine learning model configured to simultaneously use spatial information and temporal information associated with the noisy acquisition sets to filter out noise; and analyzing outputs from the denoising model to determine characteristics of the fiber under test. This approach is performed in lieu of the conventional approach of mathematically averaging acquisitions, thereby resulting in proper results with fewer acquisitions, significantly speeding up the overall acquisition time.
There is provided a photonic integrated apparatus for determining an orientation and/or a position of an optical waveguide, by measuring a relative intensity and a relative phase difference of the probe light signal incident on a sensor array. The phase profile of the probe light signal projected spatially on the sensor array is particularly sensitive to small changes in the optical probe's orientation and distance. The apparatus measures the relative intensity and relative phase difference of the probe light signal incident on a sensor array. A photonic integrated sensor circuit comprises the sensor array and one or more optical interferometric circuits. Changes in the sensed relative intensity and relative phase difference of the probe light signal, as sampled by the sensor array, indicate variations in the relative orientation and/or distance between the optical waveguide and the sensor array.
Systems and methods for detecting faulty optical fibers. A method, according to one implementation, includes collecting data associated with an optical fiber network, wherein the data includes optical fiber performance data, and data associated with one or more environmental factors; performing a first linear regression analysis on the data; performing a second linear regression analysis on results of the first linear regression analysis; and determining one or more issues relating to the optical fiber network based on results of the second linear regression analysis.
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
A method and a system for locating an underground optical fiber extending under a target ground surface are disclosed. The method includes performing a plurality of measurements at a plurality of waypoints of an inspection path over the target ground surface. Each measurement includes generating a vibration event at the corresponding waypoint, concurrently to the generation of the vibration event, sending a test signal sensitive to the vibration event in the underground optical fiber, receiving a return test signal therefrom and determining an amplitude of the return test signal. The method includes determining a relative surface position of a segment of the underground optical fiber crossed by the inspection path. The method includes determining a depth of the underground optical fiber by obtaining a vibration fitting curve by fitting the amplitudes of the return signals for each of the waypoints and calculating the depth of the underground optical fiber.
There is provided a chromatic dispersion measurement method and system for characterizing an optical fiber link under test. From a proximal end of the optical fiber link, at least one OTDR acquisition is performed, wherein each OTDR acquisition is performed by propagating in the optical fiber link under test, at least one test signal comprising a plurality of light pulses in accordance with a known sequence of pulses and detecting corresponding return light signal from the optical fiber link so as to obtain a trace representing backscattered and reflected light as a function of distance in the optical fiber link under test, and wherein said test signals have mutually different wavelengths. For each test signal and corresponding wavelength, a position of the reflective peak associated with a remote end of the optical fiber link is extracted from the return light signal by calculating a cross-correlation between the known sequence of pulses and the acquired trace. A value of a chromatic dispersion coefficient associated with said optical fiber link is then calculated from values of the extracted positions and corresponding wavelengths.
There is provided an OTDR method of assisting a user in finding a temporary event along an optical fiber link using an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR). The method comprises: performing at least one OTDR acquisition toward the optical fiber link to obtain a baseline OTDR trace, wherein each OTDR acquisition is performed by propagating in the optical fiber link under test, a pulsed test signal and detecting corresponding return light from the optical fiber link so as to obtain an OTDR trace representing backscattered and reflected light as a function of distance in the optical fiber link; repeating OTDR acquisitions in real-time to obtain real-time OTDR traces; and for each new OTDR acquisition, comparing the corresponding real-time OTDR trace to the baseline OTDR trace to detect a temporary deformation of the OTDR trace using at least one of a difference between the baseline OTDR trace and the real-time OTDR trace and a derivative thereof, said temporary deformation being indicative of the presence of the temporary event along the optical fiber link.
G01D 5/353 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using optical means, i.e. using infrared, visible or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre
There is provided an adapter tip to be employed with an optical-fiber connector-endface inspection microscope device and an optical-fiber connector endface inspection microscope system suitable for imaging angled-polished optical-fiber endface(s) of an optical-fiber connector. The proposed adapter tip or microscope system comprises relay optics comprising a multifaceted optical prism defining a first reflecting plane surface, a second reflecting plane surface and a third reflecting plane surface, used to deflect inspection light coming from the endface(s) through reflection of illumination light—referred to hereinafter as the object beam—towards and substantially in line with the optical axis of the objective lens of the optical-fiber connector-endface inspection microscope device.
Systems and methods for inspecting optical fibers are provided. A method, according to one implementation, includes steps of obtaining an image of an end-face of an optical fiber; analyzing the image with a pre-trained neural network model to classify pixels therein as any of a defect, a scratch, or clean; aggregating the pixels based on proximity to obtain defect segments or scratch segments; characterizing these defect segments and scratch segments based on but not limited to size and location, and providing an output including any of the defect segments or scratch segments.
G01M 11/00 - Testing of optical apparatusTesting structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for
G06V 10/24 - Aligning, centring, orientation detection or correction of the image
G06V 10/26 - Segmentation of patterns in the image fieldCutting or merging of image elements to establish the pattern region, e.g. clustering-based techniquesDetection of occlusion
G06V 10/764 - Arrangements for image or video recognition or understanding using pattern recognition or machine learning using classification, e.g. of video objects
G06V 10/774 - Generating sets of training patternsBootstrap methods, e.g. bagging or boosting
G06V 10/82 - Arrangements for image or video recognition or understanding using pattern recognition or machine learning using neural networks
22.
Mapping connectivity of optical fibers between remote locations
Described herein are systems and methods for testing connectivity of strands of a fiber optic cable, the ends of which terminate at a first site and a second site. A method, according to one implementation, includes the step of coordinating the first and second sites to generate a signal at a first end of the strands and to detect presence of the signal at a second end of the strands. The method also includes receiving confirmation information from the first and second sites pertaining to the signal being generated and detected. Also, the method includes the steps of utilizing the confirmation information to match the first end of the strands with the second end of the strands for determining fiber strand connectivity between the first site and the second site and then creating a connectivity map showing the fiber strand connectivity.
A method and system of measuring the PMD of an optical fiber under test (FUT). A polarization-sensitive optical time domain reflectometer (POTDR) is used to inject into the FUT and from a proximal end thereof, a test signal comprising a series of repeated light pulses and detecting a corresponding polarization-analyzed return light signal coming back from the optical fiber and representing back-reflected light from a light reflector connected to a distal end of the FUT. The plurality of polarization-sensitive acquisitions defines at least one pair of acquisitions performed with mutually different but closely-spaced wavelengths and substantially the same state of polarization (SOP). The process may be repeated for a plurality of pairs of acquisitions performed with at least one of a plurality of mutually-different center wavelengths and a plurality of mutually-different SOPs, and a value of the PMD for the FUT is calculated therefrom.
Systems, methods, and devices for testing optical fibers are provided. According to one implementation, an optical fiber testing apparatus may include an optical test unit configured to obtain a characterization of an optical fiber to be tested. Additionally, the optical fiber testing apparatus may include a visible light source and an analysis and control device. For example, the analysis and control device may be configured to adapt the visible light source to a specific power level based on the characterization of the optical fiber.
An optical test device, in combination with a removable connector adapter, is provided. A method of testing an optical fiber is also provided. The test device comprises a test port configured to interface with optical-fiber cables having a given number of optical fibers. The connector adapter comprises a device connector adapted to connect to test port; and a fiber-under-test (FUT) connector adapted connect to an optical-fiber cable, such as a test cord connectable to the FUT. The FUT connector is configured to interface with optical-fiber cables having a number of fibers that is different from the number of fibers of the test port. The optical test device comprises a processing unit configurable to adjust the tests to be conducted based on the connector adapter detected, and to adapt the user interfaces and test parameters accordingly.
Systems, methods, and devices for testing for faults in a fiber optic cable are provided. A Visual Fault Locator (VFL), according to one implementation, includes an output port configured for connection with an optical fiber to be tested. The VFL also includes a variable light source configured to emit visible light at different power levels from the output port. For example, the different power levels may correspond with different light intensity levels. In some implementations, the VFL may further include a gain control device connected to the variable light source, whereby the gain control device may be configured to control the power of the variable light source to enable the variable light source to emit the visible light at multiple power levels.
There is provided a method and system of frequency dithered distributed acoustic sensing (FD-DAS) using group data signal processing, where the continuous wave (CW) coherent laser's optical frequency or optical phase for the FD-DAS interrogator may be set in evenly or randomly distributed manner for different data groups but they are kept as constant or with negligibly variation within each data group. Such FD-DAS may be used to improve acoustic or vibration signal measurement reliability, to allow to use a low-cost single-frequency laser such as a DFB laser, and/or to suppress polarization fading effect.
G01H 9/00 - Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by using radiation-sensitive means, e.g. optical means
G01D 5/353 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using optical means, i.e. using infrared, visible or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre
There are herein provided methods and systems to characterize optical propagation characteristics of an optical fiber communication link (such as, e.g., a submarine line system), including ASE noise (such as traditional OSNRASE), non-linear noise (such as OSNRNL due to nonlinear distortions) and/or the GOSNR. The method uses a polarized probe signal in the optical transmission channel under test in order to probe the link under test, as well as power loading light in other optical transmission channels in order to activate non-linear effects. The propagated test signal is then analyzed under varied polarization conditions using a varied-SOP polarization-resolved optical spectrum analysis of the propagated probe signal.
H04B 10/077 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using an in-service signal using a supervisory or additional signal
H04B 10/079 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using an in-service signal using measurements of the data signal
29.
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CHARACTERIZATION OF POLARIZATION-DEPENDENT LOSS OR GAIN IN OPTICAL LINKS AND COMPONENTS
Methods and systems are disclosed for characterizing a polarization-dependent loss or gain (PDL/G) of an optical device under test (DUT), such as an optical fiber link, from an optical signal having passed through the optical DUT. The optical signal is substantially unpolarized upon entering the optical DUT. The method can include varying a state of polarization (SOP) of the optical signal over a plurality of sampled SOP conditions to produce a respective plurality of SOP-varied optical signals; performing a polarization-analysis and detection operation on the plurality of SOP-varied optical signals to acquire a respective plurality of detected signal sets, each detected signal set including at least one polarization-analyzed detected signal; and determining, as the PDL/G of the optical DUT, a polarization extinction ratio parameter representative of a ratio of maximum to minimum power levels measured among the polarization-analyzed detected signals of the plurality of detected signal sets.
H04B 10/073 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using an out-of-service signal
There is provided an adapter tip to be employed with an optical-fiber connector-endface inspection microscope device and an optical-fiber connector endface inspection microscope system suitable for imaging two non-parallel APC optical-fiber endfaces of a duplex (i.e., APC trans-duplex) optical-fiber connector. Because the two optical-fiber endfaces of an APC trans-duplex connector are angled-polished (APC) in different directions (non-parallel), inspection light reflected on the two endfaces take diverging pathways. A single-fiber or multi-fiber inspection microscope therefore cannot allow inspection of both optical-fiber endfaces at once. The proposed adapter tip or microscope system comprises relay optics defining two imaging paths (one for each optical-fiber endface), wherein each imaging path comprises at least one optical component (e.g., an optical prism) used to deviate inspection light from each endface towards the optical axis of the objective lens, such that both endfaces may be imaged within the field of view of the inspection microscope.
There is provided a method and an apparatus of fiber optic distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) which use a simple, reliable and robust signal processing for amplitude-based DAS measurements. 1) The lack of linearity of the amplitude-based DAS measurements (due to its unpredictable variation of the transfer function along the fiber) can be improved by normalizing the amplitude vs distance using an amplitude-normalization trace obtained from either a) coherent laser OTDR measurements with laser frequency dithering or b) computing a normalization trace from the coherent OTDR/DAS traces and the un-coherent OTDR/DAS traces. 2) Instrument offset (e.g., due to low vertical sampling resolution) may further be corrected using un-coherent OTDR/DAS traces to extract an instrument system offset.
There is provided a system and a method for assisting a technician in fiber optic cable splices and comprising a pair of test units including an OTDR, an optical switch, a tone generator and a tone detector to automate the splicing process and testing. The test units may be in communication with a wireless portable device used by the splicing technician and controlled therefrom. In one embodiment, the test units are driven by a test orchestrator application (e.g., server-based) to switch fibers, perform continuity tests and/or splice quality tests, triggered by the technician's portable device.
G01M 11/00 - Testing of optical apparatusTesting structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
G02B 6/255 - Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
33.
Method and apparatus of distributed acoustic sensing
There is provided a method and an apparatus of fiber optic distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) which can use low-cost coherent laser as well as low-cost acquisition and processing electronics and which can still provide reliable monitoring results for optical fiber monitoring and troubleshooting applications in optical fiber telecommunication networks. Such low-cost solution is made possible by employing grouped data signal processing. Data is processed over independent groups of data to provide an independent DAS signal for each group. This allows measurements to be less sensitive to laser fluctuations and thereby reduces coherent laser technical specification requirements and allows the use of a low-cost coherent laser (thereby reducing the cost of the laser) as well as low-cost acquisition and processing electronics.
There is provided an adapter tip to be employed with an optical-fiber connector-endface inspection microscope device and an optical-fiber connector endface inspection microscope system suitable for imaging the endface of a duplex optical-fiber connector. Because of the distance between the ferrules of a duplex connector, the field of view of a typical single-fiber or multi-fiber inspection microscope may not be wide enough to allow inspection of both ferrules at once. The proposed adapter tip or microscope system may comprise relay optics configured to laterally shift the optical path of the light beam reflected from one optical fiber endface (corresponding the first ferrule) toward that from the other optical fiber endface (corresponding the second ferrule), so that both endfaces may be imaged within the field of view of the inspection microscope.
A Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum analyzer includes an RF front end including a single antenna configured to monitor a wireless network that includes Time Division Duplexing (TDD); and circuitry connected to the RF front end and configured to operate and monitor the wireless network both in a spectrum analyzer mode and a signal analyzer mode, utilize the signal analyzer mode to extract synchronization information from the monitored wireless network, derive a start of frame of a radio frame from said the synchronization information; and utilize the synchronization information to identify an acquisition window to synchronize a gate in the spectrum analyzer mode.
Provided herein is a solution for measuring the optical power loss of duplex optical-fiber devices under test, and particularly those terminated with a duplex connector interface, which allows for a one-cord testing method whichever the format of the duplex connector interface of the optical-fiber device under test, without disconnecting the optical fibers of the device under test from their duplex native connector interface. Provided is an optical-fiber expansion device used to interconnect and adapt a power meter instrument to a variety of duplex connectors. The optical-fiber expansion device comprises a pair of optical fibers having a core diameter and a numerical aperture greater than the optical fiber in the DUT connector interface, to make it compatible with the one-cord testing method. Interchangeable optical-fiber expansion devices can be used to match the power meter interface on one side, to various duplex connector interfaces under test on the other side.
Example embodiments are disclosed of systems and methods for predicting failure probabilities of future product tests of a testing sequence based on outcomes of prior tests. Predictions are made by a machine-learning-based model (MLM) trained with a set of test-result sequence records (TRSRs) including test values and pass/fail indicators (PRIs) of completed tests. Within training epochs over the set, iterations are carried out over each TRSR. Each iteration involves sub-iterations carried out successively over test results of the TRSR. Each sub-iteration involves (i) inputting to the MLM values of a given test and those of tests earlier in the sequence while masking those later in the sequence, (ii) computing probabilities of test failures for the masked tests found later in the sequence than the given test, and (iii) applying the PFIs of test results later in the sequence than the given test as ground-truths to update parameters of the MLM.
There is provided a technique to reduce the Rayleigh coherence noise in OTDR measurements using spectral averaging of OTDR traces while at least partly cancelling chromatic dispersion pulse broadening on the averaged OTDR trace by applying a chromatic dispersion correction prior to averaging the OTDR traces. By correcting for chromatic dispersion pulse broadening, it allows to reduce the Rayleigh coherence noise without impacting the OTDR spatial resolution.
G01M 11/00 - Testing of optical apparatusTesting structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
H04B 10/2513 - Arrangements specific to fibre transmission for the reduction or elimination of distortion or dispersion due to chromatic dispersion
40.
Visual fiber finder for sequencing optical fiber testing
There is provided optical power loss measurement method and system for that aims to provide a more productive way to perform optical power loss measurements involving test units typically at different locations. Visual fiber finder light can be used to assist the user at the other end of the optical fiber link under test in identifying where to connect the power meter unit. A visual fiber finder light and test light are combined on a same output port of a light source unit at one end of the optical fiber link under test wherein visual fiber finder light is interleaved with test light in a cyclic sequence so that both are not active at the same time. The optical power meter unit determines a time slot when to measure test light in accordance with the given cyclic sequence.
In order to improve the analysis of the RF interferences, there is provided a peak selection assistance method for finding a local peak in an RF spectrum trace. The method provides a window on the spectrum trace display, which can be configured and/or moved by a user from user interaction on said user interface. When the window is defined, the method finds the highest peak within the window and optionally adds a marker on it. The method therefore snaps to the highest peak within the window. This improves the way of precisely detecting the maximum amplitude and the center frequency for any local peak on the spectrum.
There is provided an optical-fiber connector endface inspection microscope system for inspecting an endface of an optical-fiber connector. It comprises one or more image detector for capturing at least one image of the endface to be inspected; an objective lens system comprising a focusing lens for adjusting a focus of the objective lens system on the image detector and a fixed relay lens; a main housing structure enclosing the image detector and the focusing lens; and at least one interchangeable optical head releasably connectable to the main housing structure and enclosing the fixed relay lens, wherein the optical head is releasably connectable to an adapter tip for interfacing with the optical-fiber connector to be inspected.
There are provided systems and methods for inspecting an endface of an optical-fiber connector using an optical-fiber connector endface inspection microscope system comprising one or more image detectors for capturing images over the whole endface to be inspected. An illumination system comprises two or more illumination sources disposed so as to illuminate respective regions over the connector endface and to prevent dark zones in the capture images. The illumination sources are activated in sequence, such that adjacent sources are never activated at the same time, and corresponding images captured in sequence, i.e., one after the other. In this case, it is also possible to activate the illumination sources in sequence, such that adjacent sources are never activated at the same time. Activating the illumination sources separately eliminates the illumination overlap and so eliminates the double image artifact. This allows for a more uniformly lit image with less dark spots.
H04N 23/45 - Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensorsControl thereof for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images
H04N 23/74 - Circuitry for compensating brightness variation in the scene by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means
45.
Testing optical fiber link continuity using OTDR backscattering patterns
There are provided methods and systems for testing the continuity of optical fiber links under test and/or a fiber arrangement, polarity or mapping of optical fiber connections within optical devices under test using the backscattering pattern as a signature. The device under test may comprises a single fiber, a duplex link, a multifiber cable or another multi-port device such as a backplane device.
G01M 11/00 - Testing of optical apparatusTesting structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
46.
Optical fiber endface inspection microscope having adapter tip detection and autoconfiguration
There are provided an optical-fiber connector endface inspection microscope system and a method for inspecting an endface of an optical-fiber connector. The inspection microscope device is releasably connectable to an adapter tip configured to interface with the optical-fiber connector to inspect the endface thereof. The adapter tip is one among a plurality of adapter tip types adapted to inspect respective types of optical-fiber connectors. The optical-fiber connector endface inspection microscope system comprises a tip detection system adapted to recognize the type of the adapter tip among the plurality of adapter tip types; and is configured to analyze inspection images to produce an inspection result for the endface, at least partly based on a fiber type corresponding to the recognized adapter tip and/or other information read by the tip detection system.
There is therefore provided an OTDR method for characterizing an optical fiber link, wherein a receive device comprising a reflective optical signature and a receive fiber is connected at a remote end of the optical fiber link under test. The reflective optical signature is detected using an OTDR acquisition and link continuity is verified. Because detection of the reflective optical signature rely on high-intensity reflective peaks of the reflective optical signature and not on RBS level, dynamic range constraints are relaxed and so is the averaging time. Advantageously, the method may be employed to detect the reflective optical signature, verify link continuity, measure total link length, measure total insertion loss and/or determine a polarity of a multi-fiber array cable link.
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
G01M 11/00 - Testing of optical apparatusTesting structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for
48.
Optical-fiber device for one-cord reference optical power loss measurement
There are provided herein test instruments, devices and methods for measuring the optical power loss of optical-fiber devices under test, and particularly those terminated with multifiber connectors, which allows for a one-cord or one-cord equivalent reference method whichever the pinning of the actual optical-fiber device under test. There is proposed to add an optical-fiber expansion device to convert the pinning of the input interface of the power meter instrument from pinned to unpinned or vice-versa, while not adding extra measurement uncertainty. This is accomplished using a patch cord which core diameter is between that of the device under test and that of the input interface of the power meter instrument.
H04B 10/079 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using an in-service signal using measurements of the data signal
G02B 6/42 - Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
49.
Adapter tip and microscope system for inspection of fiber-optic connector endfaces
There is provided an adapter tip to be employed with an optical-fiber connector endface inspection microscope and an optical-fiber connector endface inspection microscope system suitable for imaging the optical-fiber endface of an angled-polished optical-fiber connector deeply recessed within a connector adapter. The adapter tip or microscope system comprises a relay optical system comprising a Rhomboid prism. The Rhomboid prism being disposed so as to receive light reflected from said optical-fiber endface during inspection and laterally shift the light beam reflected from the angled-polished optical-fiber endface.
There is provided an adapter tip to be employed with an optical-fiber connector endface inspection microscope and an optical-fiber connector endface inspection microscope system suitable for imaging the optical-fiber endface of an angled-polished optical-fiber connector deeply recessed within a connector adapter. The adapter tip or microscope system comprises a relay optical system comprising a Rhomboid prism. The Rhomboid prism being disposed so as to receive light reflected from said optical-fiber endface during inspection and laterally shift the light beam reflected from the angled-polished optical-fiber endface.
There are provided methods and systems that enable the use of the backscattering pattern produced by an optical fiber in an OTDR trace as a signature (also referred to herein as the “RBS fingerprint”) to recognize an optical fiber. It was found that it may be difficult to obtain repeatable signatures as those are sensitive to the wavelength of the OTDR laser source and the temperature of the fiber. OTDR methods and systems that are adapted to compare the backscattering pattern in a more repeatable manner are therefore provided. Once the repeatability issue is overcome, such signature can be used for identification purposes and enable new applications.
G01M 11/00 - Testing of optical apparatusTesting structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
52.
Utilizing augmented reality to virtually trace cables
Systems and methods for utilizing Augmented Reality (AR) processes to track cables among a tangled bundle of cables are provided. An AR method, according to one implementation, includes a step of obtaining an initial captured image showing a bundle of cables. The AR method also includes the step of processing the initial captured image to distinguish a selected cable from other cables of the bundle of cables. Also, the AR method includes displaying the initial captured image on a display screen while visually augmenting an image of the selected cable to highlight the selected cable with respect to the other cables.
An optical test instrument, in combination with a removable connector cartridge is provided. A method of replacing a damaged or worn optic fiber interface is also provided. The optical test instrument has casing having a cartridge receiving cavity therein with an inner end provided with a test instrument optical port; and an outer end provided with a cartridge receiving opening. The connector cartridge is sized and configured to be inserted in the cartridge receiving cavity. The connector cartridge has a cartridge inner end for facing the test instrument optical port when in use, and a cartridge outer end for receiving an optic fiber from a device under test (DUT). The connector cartridge houses a fiber optic cable extending between the cartridge inner end and the cartridge outer end. The connector cartridge is removably connectable to the instrument casing to allow replacement of the connector cartridge when the cartridge outer end is worn or damaged.
A computer-implemented method includes receiving one or more update requests; identifying, a set of foundational relationships for deletion from a graph database; inferring, using one or more relationship inference rules, a set of inferred relationships for deletion from the graph database; and deleting, from the graph database, the set of foundational relationships for deletion and the set of inferred relationships for deletion. Inferring the set of inferred relationships for deletion includes searching for relationships in the set of foundational relationships for deletion that match a relationship specified in a precondition of at least one of the one or more relationship inference rules; determining whether the precondition is satisfiable using at least one of the matching relationships; and, in response to the precondition being satisfiable, inferring at least one of the relationships of the set of inferred relationships for deletion using at least one of the matching relationships.
H04B 10/079 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using an in-service signal using measurements of the data signal
H04B 10/073 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using an out-of-service signal
56.
Test method for characterizing an optical fiber link
There is provided a test method and system for characterizing an optical fiber link. At least one OTDR acquisition or at least one OLTS acquisition is performed on the optical fiber link. From the acquisition, a value of an excess insertion loss and/or an excess optical return loss associated with the optical fiber link under test is derived, i.e. in excess of a nominal value associated with a hypothetical optical fiber link having a length corresponding to the total length of the optical fiber link under test. A rating value (e.g., as a five-star rating) or a binary pass/fail value associated with the optical fiber link under test can then be derived and displayed.
G01M 11/00 - Testing of optical apparatusTesting structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for
G01D 5/26 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using optical means, i.e. using infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
G01B 11/02 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring length, width, or thickness
57.
Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
A method comprising obtaining, via a test system, data from one or more tests of a mobile network having at least one antenna, wherein the data includes a stream of RF samples captured over-the-air or from a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) or enhanced CPRI (eCPRI) link; processing the data to detect peaks; performing an analysis of any detected peaks to identify any issues on the mobile network, the analysis including determining a relative power of the detected peaks; and causing display of a user interface that includes a reporting of any the relative power. Determining a relative power includes obtaining a baseline of a subset of the data and comparing an absolute power of the peak to the baseline.
H04W 52/36 - Transmission power control [TPC] using constraints in the total amount of available transmission power with a discrete range or set of values, e.g. step size, ramping or offsets
There is provided an OTDR receive device and an OTDR system comprising an OTDR receive device wherein the OTDR unit and the OTDR receive device are to be connected at opposite ends of an optical fiber link under test. The OTDR receive device comprises means for the OTDR system to detect an established connectivity between the OTDR unit and the OTDR receive device via the optical fiber link under test and a status indicator to notify a user of the receive device of the connectivity status and optionally an OTDR measurement status. Connectivity detection allows to check for continuity between the OTDR unit and the OTDR receive device before launching an OTDR measurement. A user of the OTDR unit does not need to communicate with the user of the OTDR receive device to know when to start the acquisition.
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
H04B 10/035 - Arrangements for fault recovery using loopbacks
G01D 5/353 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using optical means, i.e. using infrared, visible or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre
H05B 45/22 - Controlling the colour of the light using optical feedback
G01M 11/00 - Testing of optical apparatusTesting structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for
There is provided an optical power measurement method, an offset calibration method and an optical power meter that is adapted to apply the offset calibration method. The optical power measurement method, the offset calibration method and the optical power meter are characterized in that two temperature sensors are used for more accurate predictions of the optical power offset. A first temperature sensor is positioned to read a temperature of the photodiode and a second temperature sensor is positioned to read a temperature of the PCB ground plane.
There is therefore provided a method, system and computer program for detecting duplicate optical-fiber connector endface inspections performed on a same optical-fiber connector. Duplicate optical-fiber connector endface inspections can be detected by extracting a signature of the optical-fiber connector endface from the acquired optical-fiber connector endface inspection image to uniquely identify the optical-fiber connector and detect duplicate optical-fiber connector endface inspections. The signature can be stored to help detection of inadvertent or fraudulent duplicate or repetitive measurements made on a same optical-fiber connector.
There is provided a method, system and computer program for detecting duplicate OTDR measurements performed on a same fiber. It is determined whether OTDR traces are likely to have been acquired over the same optical fiber link by comparing the backscattering pattern associated with a given fiber span along the OTDR traces, which corresponds to a continuous optical fiber section.
G01M 11/00 - Testing of optical apparatusTesting structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
There is provided an OTDR receive device, an OTDR system comprising an OTDR receive device and an OTDR method wherein the OTDR unit and the OTDR receive device are to be connected at opposite ends of an optical fiber link under test. The OTDR receive device comprises means for the OTDR system to detect an established connectivity between the OTDR unit and the OTDR receive device via the optical fiber link under test and a status indicator to notify a user of the receive device of the connectivity status and optionally an OTDR measurement status. Connectivity detection allows to check for continuity between the OTDR unit and the OTDR receive device before launching an OTDR measurement. A user of the OTDR unit does not need to communicate with the user of the OTDR receive device to know when to start the acquisition.
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
G01M 11/00 - Testing of optical apparatusTesting structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for
G01D 5/353 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using optical means, i.e. using infrared, visible or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre
H05B 45/22 - Controlling the colour of the light using optical feedback
64.
Test device with both OTDR and WDM power meter modes
There is provided a test device and a test method that combine both tunable OTDR and WDM power meter functionalities into the same integrated optoelectronic test hardware, such that the tunable OTDR and the WDM power meter functions share optoelectronic components, thereby reducing the hardware cost and the overall form factor and weight of the test device. With the proposed configuration, both tunable OTDR and WDM power meter functionalities may be provided via a single test port to be connected to the optical fiber link under test. By connecting the fiber to a single test port, the number of manipulations to be performed by technicians is reduced and two tests can be performed in a single connection operation out of the same test port.
G01M 11/00 - Testing of optical apparatusTesting structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
H04B 10/079 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using an in-service signal using measurements of the data signal
There is provided an optical loss testing system for multi-fiber array cables an optical loss test method and a reference method therefor which overcomes at least part of the multi-powermeter uncertainty. A prior calibration step serves to characterize the relative difference in optical power response of the multiple power meters. This relative difference can then be used to correct the optical loss measurement so as to eliminate its effect.
Fronthaul monitoring systems and methods include a performing protocol testing, via a protocol layer acquisition module, of a protocol layer signal for analysis thereof to identify issues; performing optical physical layer monitoring via an optical physical layer acquisition module to identify optical physical layer issues; and configuring an optical switch to switch an input port connected to the protocol layer acquisition module and the optical physical layer acquisition module over different links of the plurality of links wherein a test coordinator software module is configured to manage the optical switch to coordinate the optical protocol layer analysis of a link and the optical physical layer testing of the link.
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
H04B 10/079 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using an in-service signal using measurements of the data signal
H04B 10/25 - Arrangements specific to fibre transmission
H04Q 11/00 - Selecting arrangements for multiplex systems
An interference detection method and system and for providing information about at least one interference in I/Q data obtained over-the-air or detected on a link between a radio equipment controller (REC) and at least one radio equipment (RE). The method includes noise filtering a set of the FFTs into an averaged FFT, filtering the averaged FFT with a high-pass filter to remove low frequency components, applying a power threshold on the high-pass filtered FFT to select at least one candidate peak having a power greater than the power threshold; outputting information about the at least one candidate peak, which is a potential interference. The interference detection method further includes multi-lane processing and power shift compensation.
Systems and methods e to automatically analyze and display results of tests of a link include obtaining data from one or more tests of a link, wherein the data includes samples for Antenna Carriers (AxC) for one or more AxCs auto-detected on the link; processing the data to detect peaks on any of the auto-detected AxCs on the link; performing an analysis of any detected peaks to identify any issues on the link; and causing display of a user interface that includes a reporting of any identified issues with the user interface including a display of the identified issues and a spectrum graph.
H04W 24/00 - Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
H04B 15/04 - Reducing interference from electric apparatus by means located at or near the interfering apparatus the interference being caused by substantially sinusoidal oscillations, e.g. in a receiver or in a tape-recorder
There are provided techniques for characterizing and testing a cable routing connection configuration connection arrangement comprising a plurality of optical fiber links connected between at least a first connection device at a first end and a second multi-fiber connection device at a second end. Test light is injected into one or more of the optical fiber links via corresponding optical fiber ports of the first connection device. At least one image of the second multi-fiber connection device is captured. Test light exiting the optical fiber link(s) through optical fiber port(s) of the second multi-fiber connection device is imaged as light spot(s) in the captured image. Positions on the second multi-fiber connection device that corresponds to the optical fiber port(s) are determined based on a pattern of the light spot(s) in the captured image. In some implementations, the provided techniques allow detection or verification of cable routing connection configurations at multi-fiber distribution panels.
G01M 11/00 - Testing of optical apparatusTesting structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for
G02B 6/38 - Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
G01D 5/353 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using optical means, i.e. using infrared, visible or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre
G01D 5/34 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using optical means, i.e. using infrared, visible or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells
There is provided an OTDR method and device for characterizing an optical fiber link. At least a first OTDR acquisition is performed toward the optical fiber link. From the at least one first OTDR acquisition, one or more events are identified along the optical fiber link and a value of at least one characteristic associated with each event is estimated. A second OTDR acquisition is performed toward the optical fiber link in order to target a specific event among the identified events. Values of one or more OTDR acquisition parameters for the second OTDR acquisition are determined such that the OTDR acquisition parameters comprise a second pulse width different from the first pulse width used in the first OTDR acquisition.
G01M 11/00 - Testing of optical apparatusTesting structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
H04B 10/077 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using an in-service signal using a supervisory or additional signal
An optical test instrument, in combination with a removable connector cartridge is provided. A method of replacing a damaged or worn optic fiber interface is also provided. The optical test instrument has casing having a cartridge receiving cavity therein with an inner end provided with a test instrument optical port; and an outer end provided with a cartridge receiving opening. The connector cartridge is sized and configured to be inserted in the cartridge receiving cavity. The connector cartridge has a cartridge inner end for facing the test instrument optical port when in use, and a cartridge outer end for receiving an optic fiber from a device under test (DUT). The connector cartridge houses a fiber optic cable extending between the cartridge inner end and the cartridge outer end. The connector cartridge is removably connectable to the instrument casing to allow replacement of the connector cartridge when the cartridge outer end is worn or damaged.
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
H04B 10/073 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using an out-of-service signal
G02B 6/42 - Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
A device and method for providing a mapping of antenna data into antenna containers within a common public radio interface (CPRI) signal exchanged between a radio equipment controller (REC) and at least one radio equipment (RE) are described. The method comprises finding a location of activity within the multiple CPRI basic frames; extracting a candidate antenna signal from the multiple CPRI basic frames starting from the location using a set of mapping parameters used in a standard antenna signal; comparing a candidate frequency content of the candidate antenna signal to a standard frequency content of the standard antenna signal to derive a validity score; associating the set of mapping parameters of the standard antenna signal to the observed mapping if the validity score meets predetermined conditions; and causing a report of the observed mapping.
H04B 10/2575 - Radio-over-fibre, e.g. radio frequency signal modulated onto an optical carrier
H04B 10/077 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using an in-service signal using a supervisory or additional signal
There is provided an optical-fiber connector endface inspection microscope system comprising optical power measurement capability, wherein optical power measurement is provided via an optical power meter device implemented within an extension unit positioned along an optical path between the inspected optical-fiber connector endface and the optical-fiber connector endface inspection microscope, i.e. between the inspected optical-fiber connector endface and objective optics of the optical-fiber connector endface inspection microscope.
A network testing system includes one or more test devices each including a media-specific testing module and a processing device with a network interface, wherein the processing device is configured to test a network with the media-specific testing module; one or more servers configured to receive test results from the test of the network either directly from the one or more test devices or an intermediate data source communicatively coupled to the one or more test devices; and a validator module executed on the one or more servers configured to perform automated post-processing on the test results to compare the test results to a pre-defined Method of Procedure (MOP), to auto-correct one or more errors in the test results, and to provide a report based on the comparison.
Fronthaul monitoring systems and methods include a Radio Frequency (RF) analysis module configured to receive an optical RF signal for RF testing thereof; a fiber monitoring module configured to perform fiber monitoring testing; an optical switch configured to switch a port connected to the RF analysis module and the fiber monitoring module between one or more Remote Radio Heads (RRH); and a test coordinator software module configured to coordinate the RF testing and the fiber monitoring testing. The optical RF signal is at different wavelengths than a fiber test signal for the fiber monitoring testing, such that the RF testing and the fiber monitoring testing can be performed concurrently.
H04B 10/2575 - Radio-over-fibre, e.g. radio frequency signal modulated onto an optical carrier
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
Method and systems for characterizing an optical signal propagating along a communication link are disclosed. The signal includes a data-carrying signal contribution, modulated at a symbol frequency, and a noise contribution. The method includes measuring an optical power spectrum of the signal, which includes a data-carrying signal spectrum component and a noise spectrum component. The method also includes determining a measured spectral correlation function within pairs of spectral components of the signal as a function of center frequency of the pairs, the spectral components in each pair being spectrally separated from each other by the symbol frequency. The method further includes obtaining a solution for the data-carrying signal spectrum component based on the measured optical power spectrum, such that a calculated spectral correlation function based on the solution matches the measured spectral correlation function. In some embodiments, the spectral correlation function is measured as a low-frequency beatnote amplitude function.
H04B 10/00 - Transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio-waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or employing corpuscular radiation, e.g. quantum communication
H04B 10/079 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using an in-service signal using measurements of the data signal
82.
Optical power measurement in a passive optical network
A device and method for optical power measurement in an optical network supporting upstream and downstream signal propagation along an optical transmission path. An upstream wavelength analyzer receives upstream light extracted from the optical transmission path and is configured to determine an upstream spectral characteristic of the extracted upstream light. A downstream optical power meter assembly receives downstream light extracted from the optical transmission path and is configured to measure an optical power parameter of a downstream signal. A processing unit is configured to determine, based on the upstream spectral characteristic, at least one pass/fail threshold associated with the measured optical power parameter of the downstream signal.
H04B 10/079 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using an in-service signal using measurements of the data signal
H04J 14/02 - Wavelength-division multiplex systems
There is provided a method, system and image capture device for determining a polarity of a multi-fiber cable link comprising a plurality of optical fiber links each connected between a first multi-fiber connector and a second multi-fiber connector, according to said polarity. Test light is injected into one or more of the optical fiber links via corresponding injection ports of the first multi-fiber connector, in accordance with a defined injection pattern; at least one polarity-testing image of the second multi-fiber connector is generated in which test light exiting at least one of the optical fiber links through one or more exit ports of the second multi-fiber connector is imaged as one or more spotlight spots in the polarity-testing image; and the polarity of the multi-fiber cable link is determined based on a pattern of said one or more spotlight spots in said polarity-testing image.
G01M 11/00 - Testing of optical apparatusTesting structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for
G02B 6/38 - Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
H04B 10/073 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using an out-of-service signal
Method and systems for characterizing an optical signal propagating along a communication link are disclosed. The signal includes a data-carrying signal contribution, modulated at a symbol frequency, and a noise contribution. The method includes measuring an optical power spectrum of the signal, which includes a data-carrying signal spectrum component and a noise spectrum component. The method also includes determining a measured spectral correlation function within pairs of spectral components of the signal as a function of center frequency of the pairs, the spectral components in each pair being spectrally separated from each other by the symbol frequency. The method further includes obtaining a solution for the data-carrying signal spectrum component based on the measured optical power spectrum, such that a calculated spectral correlation function based on the solution matches the measured spectral correlation function. In some embodiments, the spectral correlation function is measured as a low-frequency beatnote amplitude function.
A multimode launch system to be connected to an Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) for use in performing at least one OTDR measurement on a multi-fiber array Device Under Test (DUT), the multimode launch system comprising: an optical switch being connectable to the OTDR during use; a launch array device having an end being connectable to the optical switch and another end being connectable to the multi-fiber array DUT during use, the launch array device having a plurality of multimode launch optical fibers each having at least one first guidance parameter being smaller than a corresponding one of at least one second guidance parameter of at least one multimode optical fiber of the optical switch; and a multi-fiber mode conditioner along the launch array device for inducing a preferential attenuation of higher-order optical modes of test light propagated into the multi-fiber array DUT during use.
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
A device and method for optical power measurement in an optical network supporting upstream and downstream signal propagation along an optical transmission path. The device includes an upstream wavelength analyzer receiving upstream light extracted from the optical transmission path and configured to determine an upstream spectral characteristic of the extracted upstream light. The device also includes a downstream filter assembly receiving downstream light extracted from the optical transmission path and configured to spectrally split the extracted downstream light into a plurality of downstream signals, one of which corresponding to a downstream signal of interest. The device further includes a processing unit configured to identify, based on the upstream spectral characteristic, the downstream signal of interest among the downstream filtered signals, and a downstream optical power meter assembly coupled to the downstream filter assembly and configured to measure an optical power parameter of the downstream signal of interest.
H04J 14/02 - Wavelength-division multiplex systems
H04B 10/079 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using an in-service signal using measurements of the data signal
There is provided a system and a test instrument for identifying or verifying the fiber arrangement and/or the cable type of multi-fiber array cables (such as MPO cables) which employs a light source and a polarity detector at the near end of the multi-fiber array cable under test, and a loopback device at the far end. The polarity detector comprises light presence detectors used to detect which one of the optical fibers of the multi-fiber array cable returns light looped back at the far end and thereby determine the fiber arrangement and/or the cable type of the multi-fiber array cable.
System and method for communicating with and controlling a test device. Receiving user input via a system GUI to start a test. In response to the user input, providing by the communication controller a display URL of a resource associated with the test device. Displaying content of the resource nested within the system GUI by a browser. Sending a start instruction to start a test to the test device. Receiving by the communication controller test data from the test device and one of displaying an indication of the test data in the system GUI and storing the test data.
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
An OTDR device and method for characterizing one or more events in an optical fiber link are provided. A plurality of light acquisitions is performed. For each light acquisition, test light pulses are propagated in the optical fiber link and the corresponding return light signals from the optical fiber link are detected. The light acquisitions are performed under different acquisition conditions, for example using different pulsewidths or wavelengths. Parameters characterizing the event are derived using the detected return signal from at least two of the plurality of light acquisitions.
G01N 21/00 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
G01M 11/00 - Testing of optical apparatusTesting structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for
95.
Multimode launch systems for use in performing an OTDR measurement on a multi-fiber array DUT and method of performing same
A multimode launch system to be connected to an Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) for use in performing at least one OTDR measurement on a multi-fiber array Device Under Test (DUT), the multimode launch system comprising: an optical switch being connectable to the OTDR during use; a launch array device having an end being connectable to the optical switch and another end being connectable to the multi-fiber array DUT during use, the launch array device having a plurality of multimode launch optical fibers each having at least one first guidance parameter being smaller than a corresponding one of at least one second guidance parameter of at least one multimode optical fiber of the optical switch; and a multi-fiber mode conditioner along the launch array device for inducing a preferential attenuation of higher-order optical modes of test light propagated into the multi-fiber array DUT during use.
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
A passive optical network (PON) device and method for optical power measurement along an optical transmission path supporting bidirectional propagation of downstream light and upstream light between two network elements of a PON is provided. The device includes an optical power splitter assembly extracting respective portions of the upstream and downstream light, and an upstream wavelength analyzer determining, from the extracted upstream light, an upstream spectral characteristic of the upstream light. The device also includes a processing unit determining, based on the upstream spectral characteristic, a downstream spectral characteristic of a downstream signal of interest among a plurality of downstream signals of the downstream light, and a downstream filter assembly filtering the extracted downstream light to select a portion of the downstream signal of interest. The device further includes a downstream optical power meter assembly measuring an optical power parameter of the selected portion of the downstream signal of interest.
H04B 10/079 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using an in-service signal using measurements of the data signal
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
37 - Construction and mining; installation and repair services
41 - Education, entertainment, sporting and cultural services
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Computer hardware and software; test equipment hardware; mobile device software applications; computer hardware and software, test equipment hardware, and mobile device software applications for communication network testing, troubleshooting, analyzing, monitoring, management, simulation, emulation, optimization, characterization, analytics, traffic generation, automation and performance analysis; computer hardware and software, test equipment hardware, and mobile device software applications for test device and data management, passive and active quality-of-service and quality-of-experience measurement, correlation, monitoring and management, test orchestration and test function virtualization, research and development, lab and manufacturing component and network testing. Installation, repair and maintenance of communications network test equipment hardware and computer hardware; technical consulting related to the building and installation of communication networks; technical support services in the nature of troubleshooting and repair of test equipment hardware and computer hardware, physical host servers and local area networks. Providing product and technology training classes and seminars addressing the operation, maintenance and results interpretation of communications network test equipment hardware, computer hardware and software and mobile device software applications. Engineering and technology consultation services in the fields of communication network commissioning, operation, testing, monitoring and customization; technical support services in the nature of troubleshooting and diagnosing test equipment hardware and computer hardware, operation systems, virtual and physical host servers and local area network problems; technical support services in the nature of troubleshooting problems involving computer software, mobile device software applications; network inventory data extraction, data transformation and loading data into software; communication network test data integration between our computer software and customer's or third-party application software or repositories; installation, repair, and maintenance of computer software and mobile device software applications; technical support services in the nature of troubleshooting and repair of operation systems and virtual host servers.
An inspection system for inspecting a multiple-fiber connector is provided. The inspection system includes a microscope probe and a probe tip configured to provide an optical path between the microscope probe and the multiple-fiber connector. The probe tip and microscope probe are configured so that the field of view of the microscope probe is sufficiently large to cover a portion of the connector surface encompassing a plurality of the optical fiber endfaces. The system further includes a shifting mechanism operable to shift the field of view of the microscope probe between at least two discrete positions over the connector surface. Each discrete position encompasses a different subset of the multiple optical fiber endfaces and optionally at least one positioning reference. A probe tip and a method of inspection are also provided.
H04B 10/00 - Transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio-waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or employing corpuscular radiation, e.g. quantum communication
G02B 6/38 - Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
There is provided an adapter tip to be employed with an optical-fiber inspection microscope probe and an optical-fiber inspection microscope system suitable for imaging the optical-fiber endface of an angled-polished optical-fiber connector deeply recessed within a connector adapter. The adapter tip or microscope system comprises a relay lens system having at least a first relay lens which is disposed so as to directly receive light reflected from the optical-fiber endface during inspection, the lens axis of the first relay lens being offset relative to the optical-fiber endface so as to deviate light reflected from the optical-fiber endface towards the optical-fiber axis of the connector.
There is provided a method for measuring an optical power attenuation value of a multimode DUT. The method generally has, using an optical source, propagating test light along a multimode device link having a first multimode device, the multimode DUT and a second multimode device serially connected to one another; said propagating including inducing a preferential attenuation of high-order optical fiber modes of the test light along the first multimode device and along the second multimode device; using an optical power detector, detecting an optical signal resulting from the propagation of the test light along the multimode device link and transmitting an output signal based on the detected optical signal; and using a processor, determining the optical power attenuation value of the multimode DUT based on the output signal.
H04B 10/08 - Equipment for monitoring, testing or fault measuring
H04B 10/079 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using an in-service signal using measurements of the data signal
H04B 10/071 - Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systemsArrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using a reflected signal, e.g. using optical time domain reflectometers [OTDR]
G01M 11/00 - Testing of optical apparatusTesting structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for
