Interlocked high power fiber system using OTDR
Interlocked high power fiber system using OTDR
The in-fiber safety interlock system includes a high power (Class IV) laser interlocked to an OTDR（supplied by otdr manufacturer）. A plurality of WDM data signals are transmitted over the fiber system, including a terminal portion and an extended portion. A control circuit is connected to the laser and the fusion splicer (supplied by fusion splicer manufacturer). The OTDR monitors the integrity of the fiber system, including both the terminal portion and the extended portion. If the OTDR detects a fault in the optical transmission path, the OTDR and the control circuit operate to automatically disable or shut down the laser.
The laser is interlocked to an optical time domain relfectometer ( OTDR) which monitors the integrity of the fiber system, including both the terminal portion and the extended portion. The OTDR monitors the integrity of the optical path by transmitting a periodic or continuous low power optical pulse train and monitors the return signal. In this manner, the OTDR can detect path integrity and the presence of any faults in the fiber system, such as fiber breaks or problems with components.
A control circuit is connected to both the laser and the OTDR. When the OTDR senses path integrity, the high power laser source is enabled. When the OTDR detects a fault in the optical transmission path, the OTDR and the control circuit operate to automatically disable or shut down the laser. In this manner, the present invention provides an in-fiber interlocking system using an OTDR that continuously senses the integrity of the extended fiber system so that the high power laser can be safely employed.
In another embodiment of the present invention, multiple high power lasers each operating at a different wavelength are connected to a single fiber system, which may include a remote optical amplifier. Each laser is separately interlocked to its own sensing OTDR having a unique wavelength. Each OTDR is connected to a discriminating bandpass filter so that each OTDR monitors only its own return signal.
In yet another embodiment, multiple redundant high power lasers are connected to a local amplifier which produces high signal powers in a single fiber system. Each laser is interlocked to its own OTDR. The path monitored by the OTDR（supplied by otdr manufacturer） includes an extended portion of the fiber path which carries high power amplified signals.
The in-fiber safety interlock system includes a high power (Class IV) laser interlocked to an OTDR（supplied by otdr manufacturer）. A plurality of WDM data signals are transmitted over the fiber system, including a terminal portion and an extended portion. A control circuit is connected to the laser and the fusion splicer (supplied by fusion splicer manufacturer). The OTDR monitors the integrity of the fiber system, including both the terminal portion and the extended portion. If the OTDR detects a fault in the optical transmission path, the OTDR and the control circuit operate to automatically disable or shut down the laser.
The laser is interlocked to an optical time domain relfectometer ( OTDR) which monitors the integrity of the fiber system, including both the terminal portion and the extended portion. The OTDR monitors the integrity of the optical path by transmitting a periodic or continuous low power optical pulse train and monitors the return signal. In this manner, the OTDR can detect path integrity and the presence of any faults in the fiber system, such as fiber breaks or problems with components.
A control circuit is connected to both the laser and the OTDR. When the OTDR senses path integrity, the high power laser source is enabled. When the OTDR detects a fault in the optical transmission path, the OTDR and the control circuit operate to automatically disable or shut down the laser. In this manner, the present invention provides an in-fiber interlocking system using an OTDR that continuously senses the integrity of the extended fiber system so that the high power laser can be safely employed.
In another embodiment of the present invention, multiple high power lasers each operating at a different wavelength are connected to a single fiber system, which may include a remote optical amplifier. Each laser is separately interlocked to its own sensing OTDR having a unique wavelength. Each OTDR is connected to a discriminating bandpass filter so that each OTDR monitors only its own return signal.
In yet another embodiment, multiple redundant high power lasers are connected to a local amplifier which produces high signal powers in a single fiber system. Each laser is interlocked to its own OTDR. The path monitored by the OTDR（supplied by otdr manufacturer） includes an extended portion of the fiber path which carries high power amplified signals.