US5013907A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical time domain testing instrument
Assignee: Tektronix Inc
•
Filing: 1990-03-27
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Granted: 1991-05-07
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Expires: 2010-03-27
Abstract
Abstract An optical time domain testing instrument comprises a laser light source that is optically coupled to an optical fiber under test. The instrument further comprises a photodetector for receiving light from the fiber, and an optical amplifier optically coupled between the fiber and the photodetector.
Inventors
- 👤 Glenn Bateman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:42
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M11/00; G01M11/30; G01M11/31; G01M11/3109; G01M11/319; H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/07; H04B10/071
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
An optical time domain testing instrument comprising: a laser light source, means for optically coupling the laser light source to an optical fiber under test, means for energizing the laser light source to launch a light pulse into the fiber under test, an optical amplifier, means for optically coupling the optical amplifier to the fiber under test, a photodetector, means for optically coupling the optical amplifier to the photodetector, and means for selectively adjusting the gain of the optical amplifier as a function of the time following launch of a light pulse.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
An optical time domain testing instrument comprising: a laser light source, means for optically coupling the laser light source to an optical fiber under test, means for energizing the laser light source to launch a light pulse into the fiber under test, an optical amplifier, means for optically coupling the optical amplifier to the fiber under test, a photodetector, means for optically coupling the optical amplifier to the photodetector, and means for selectively adjusting the gain of the optical amplifier as a function of the time following launch of a light pulse.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
An instrument according to claim 1, wherein the means for optically coupling the laser light source to the optical fiber under test comprise a first optical waveguide, and the means for optically coupling the optical amplifier to the fiber under test comprise a second optical waveguide, the first and second optical waveguides being respective waveguides of a directional coupler.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An instrument according to claim 1, further comprising an optical bandpass filter coupled between the optical amplifier and the photodetector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
An instrument according to claim 1, wherein the optical amplifier is a semiconductor laser amplifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
An instrument according to claim 1, wherein the optical amplifier is a fiber amplifier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
An optical time domain testing instrument comprising: a laser light source, an optical amplifier, first optical coupling means for optically coupling the optical amplifier in series between the laser light source and an optical fiber under test, means for energizing the laser light source to launch a light pulse into the fiber under test, a photodetector, and second optical coupling means for optically coupling the optical amplifier to the photodetector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
An optical time domain testing instrument comprising: a laser light source, an optical amplifier, first optical coupling means for optically coupling the optical amplifier in series between the laser light source and an optical fiber under test, means for energizing the laser light source to launch a light pulse into the fiber under test, a photodetector, and second optical coupling means for optically coupling the optical amplifier to the photodetector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
An instrument according to claim 6, wherein the first optical coupling means comprise a first optical waveguide coupled between the laser light source and the optical amplifier, and the second optical coupling means comprise a second optical waveguide, the first and second optical waveguides being respective waveguides of a directional coupler.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An instrument according to claim 7, further comprising an optical bandpass filter coupled between the optical amplifier and the photodetector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
An instrument according to claim 7, wherein the optical amplifier is a fiber amplifier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
An instrument according to claim 6 comprising means for selectively adjusting the gain of the optical amplifier as a function of the time following launch of a light pulse.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-05-06 | 1994-11-05 | 1995-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-05-06 | 1998-11-05 | 1999-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-05-06 | 2002-11-05 | 2003-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |