US5067810A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Shared laser tandem optical time domain reflectometer
Assignee: Tellabs Enterprise Inc
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Filing: 1990-06-21
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Granted: 1991-11-26
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Expires: 2010-06-21
Abstract
Abstract An instrument such as an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) in which a single source of light such as a laser shares N (N≧2) optical fibers. The pulse of light from the laser is split into N pulses each having essentially the same power. The N pulses are input to an associated one of the N fibers. The instrument has N detectors each associated with one of the fibers. Two or more of the instruments in which each single laser shares two fibers can be connected in tandem with one or more optical fibers. The light pulses from each of the instrument's single lasers are split into two pulses each having essentially the same power. The light pulses from each of the instruments which propagate in opposite directions on the same fiber are synchronized to each other so that a light pulse from one of the instruments which propagates in one direction on that fiber does not interfere with the light pulse from another of the instruments which propagates in the opposite direction on that same fiber and also does not interfere with the backscatter from that another light pulse on that same fiber.
Inventors
- 👤 Bu-Abbud
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:55
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M11/00; G01M11/30; G01M11/31; G01M11/3109; G01M11/3136; G01M11/3154
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
An instrument for sharing N (N≧2) optical fibers comprising: a) a single means for generating a pulse of light: b) means for splitting said pulse of light into N pulses of light each having essentially the same power and each associated with one of said N optical fibers; and c) means responsive to light from each of said N optical fibers for monitoring each of said N optical fibers independently of any other of said N optical fibers when each of said N light pulses are input to said associated one of said N fibers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
An instrument for sharing N (N≧2) optical fibers comprising: a) a single means for generating a pulse of light: b) means for splitting said pulse of light into N pulses of light each having essentially the same power and each associated with one of said N optical fibers; and c) means responsive to light from each of said N optical fibers for monitoring each of said N optical fibers independently of any other of said N optical fibers when each of said N light pulses are input to said associated one of said N fibers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said monitoring means is responsive to backscattered light from each of said N optical fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said monitoring means includes N monitoring means each associated with one of said N optical fibers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The instrument of claim 3 wherein each of said N light detecting means detects light backscattered from said associated one of said N optical fibers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said monitoring means generates an electrical signal for the light from each of said N fibers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The instrument of claim 5 wherein said monitoring means is responsive to backscattered light from each of said N optical fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The instrument of claim 6 wherein said monitoring means includes means individually responsive to each of said N electrical signals for monitoring said associate done of said N optical fibers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The instrument of claim 7 wherein said monitoring means further includes an N:1 multiplexer for multiplexing said N electrical signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The instrument of claim 1 further comprising means for connecting each of said N light pulses to an associated one of said N fibers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
The instrument of claim 9 wherein each of said N fibers are live fibers for propagating light having a first predetermined wavelength and said connecting means includes means for wave division multiplexing each of said N light pulses with said first predetermined wavelength propagating light, each of said N light pulses having a second predetermined wavelength which is different than said first predetermined wavelength.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
99 words
A system comprising: a) a first instrument for sharing first and second optical fibers comprising: i) a signal means for generating a pulse of light; ii) means for splitting said pulse of light into two pulses of light each having essentially the same power and each associated with one of said first and second optical fibers; and iii) means responsive to light from at least said second optical fiber for monitoring at least said second optical fiber independently of said first optical fiber when said associated one of said two light pulses is input to said second optical fiber.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
99 words
A system comprising: a) a first instrument for sharing first and second optical fibers comprising: i) a signal means for generating a pulse of light; ii) means for splitting said pulse of light into two pulses of light each having essentially the same power and each associated with one of said first and second optical fibers; and iii) means responsive to light from at least said second optical fiber for monitoring at least said second optical fiber independently of said first optical fiber when said associated one of said two light pulses is input to said second optical fiber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said first instrument further comprises means for connecting said associated one of said two light pulses to said second fiber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
69 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said second fiber is a live fiber for propagating light having a first predetermined wavelength and said first instrument connecting means includes means for wave division multiplexing said associated one of said two light pulses with said second fiber first predetermined wavelength propagating light, said single means pulse of light having a second predetermined wavelength which is different than said first predetermined wavelength.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said first instrument monitoring means is also responsive to light from said first fiber for monitoring at least said first optical fiber independently of said second optical fiber when said associated one of said two light pulses is input to said first optical fiber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said first instrument monitoring means includes two light detecting means each associated with one of said first and second fibers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The instrument of claim 15 wherein each of said two light detecting means detects light backscattered from said associated one of said first and second fibers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
256 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said first instrument monitoring means is responsive to backscattered light from said second optical fiber and said first instrument further comprises: iv) means for controlling said single means to generate said pulse of light at times nT where n=0, 2, 4, etc.; said system further comprising: b) a second instrument for sharing said second optical fiber and a third optical fiber comprising: i) a single means for generating a pulse of light; ii) means for splitting said pulse of light into two pulses of light each having essentially the same power and each associated with one of said second and third optical fibers; iii) means responsive to light from at least said second optical fiber for monitoring at least said second optical fiber independently of said third optical fiber when said associated one of said second instrument two light pulses is input to said second fiber, said second instrument pulse of light associated with said second fiber input to an end of said second fiber opposite the end of said second fiber to which said first instrument pulse of light associated with said second fiber is input; and iv) means for controlling said single means to generate said pulse of light at times nT where n=1, 3, 5 etc. ; and T is selected to be more than the time it takes for a pulse of light to propagate on said second fiber from one of said first and second instruments to the other of said first and second instruments.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
246 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said first instrument monitoring means is responsive to backscattered light from said second optical fiber and said first instrument further comprises: iv) means for controlling said single means to generate said pulse of light at times spaced apart from each other by a predetermined time interval; said system further comprising: b) a second instrument for sharing said second optical fiber and a third optical fiber comprising: i) a single means for generating a pulse of light; ii) means for splitting said pulse of light into two pulses of light each having essentially the same power and each associated with one of said second and third optical fibers; iii) means responsive to light from at least said second optical fiber for monitoring at least said second optical fiber independently of said third optical fiber when said associated one of said second instrument two light pulses is input to said second fiber, said second instrument pulse of light associated with said second fiber input to an end of said second fiber opposite the end of said second fiber to which said first instrument pulse of light associated with said second fiber is input; and iv) means for controlling said single means to generate said pulse of light at times which are spaced apart from said first instrument single means pulse of light generating times by half of said predetermined time interval and are spaced apart from each other said predetermined time interval.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said first instrument further comprises means for connecting said associated one of said two light pulses to said second fiber and said second instrument further comprises means for connecting said associated one of said second instrument two light pulses to said second fiber.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
124 words
The system to claim 19 wherein said second fiber is a live fiber for propagating light having a first predetermined wavelength and said first instrument connecting means includes means for wave division multiplex in said associated one of said two light pulses with said second fiber first predetermined wavelength propagating light, said first instrument single means pulse of light having a second predetermined wavelength which is different than said first predetermined wavelength and said second instrument connecting means includes means for wave division multiplexing said associated one of said second instrument two light pulses with said second fiber first predetermined wavelength propagating light, said second instrument single means pulse of light having a third predetermined wavelength which is different than said first predetermined wavelength.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
69 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said first instrument monitoring is responsive to backscattered light from said first optical fiber when said associated one of said first instrument two light pulses is input to said first fiber and said second instrument monitoring is responsive to backscattered light from said third optical fiber when said associated one of said second instrument two light pulses is input to said third fiber.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 21 wherein said first instrument monitoring means comprises first and second light detecting means associated with said first and second fibers, respectively, and said second instrument monitoring means comprises first and second light detecting means associated with said second and third fibers, respectively.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said first instrument monitoring means generates an electrical signal for the backscattered light from each of said first and second fibers and said second instrument monitoring means generates an electrical signal for the backscattered light from each of said second and third fibers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system of claim 23 wherein said first instrument monitoring means includes means individually responsive to said first and second fibers backscattered light electrical signals for monitoring said associated one of said first and second fibers and said second instrument monitoring means includes means individually responsive to said second and third fibers backscattered light electrical signals for monitoring said associated one of said second and third fibers.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 24 wherein said first instrument monitoring means further includes a 2:1 multiplexer for multiplexing said first and second fibers backscattered light detected electrical signals and said second instrument monitoring means further includes a 2:1 multiplexer for multiplexing said second and third fibers backscattered light detected electrical signals.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
426 words
A system comprising: a) N instruments where N>2, one of said N instruments located at one end of said system and another of said N instruments located at the other end of said system, each of said N instruments other than said one system end located instrument and said other system end located instrument located between said one system end and said other system end; b) N-1 optical fibers, one of said N-1 fibers connected to said instrument located at said one system end and the one of said N instruments next adjacent said one system end located instrument in a direction towards said other system end and another one of said N-1 fibers connected to said instrument located at said other system end and the one of said N instruments next adjacent said other system end located instrument in a direction towards said one system end, each of said N-1 fibers other than said one fiber connected to said one system end located instrument and said another fiber connected to said other system end located instrument connected between one of said other than N instruments and that one of said other than N instruments next adjacent; each of N instruments comprising: i) a single means for generating a pulse of light; ii) means for splitting said pulse of light into two pulses of light each having essentially the same power and each associated with one of those two of said N-1 optical fibers connected to said instrument; iii) means responsive to light backscattered from each of said associated one of those two of said N-1 optical fibers for monitoring each of said associated one of those two of said N-1 optical fibers independently of each other when said two pulses of light are input to said associated one of those two of said N-1 optical fibers; and iv) means for causing said single means to generate said pulse of light at times separated by a time 2T where T is selected to be longer than the time it takes for a pulse of light to propagate from one end to the other end of the longest one of said N-1 fibers and in a manner such that a pulse of light from any one of said N instruments propagating in one direction one said associated one of those two of said N-1 fibers does not interfere with a pulse of light from an adjacent one of said N instruments propagating in the opposite direction on said associated one of those two of said N-1 fibers.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
426 words
A system comprising: a) N instruments where N>2, one of said N instruments located at one end of said system and another of said N instruments located at the other end of said system, each of said N instruments other than said one system end located instrument and said other system end located instrument located between said one system end and said other system end; b) N-1 optical fibers, one of said N-1 fibers connected to said instrument located at said one system end and the one of said N instruments next adjacent said one system end located instrument in a direction towards said other system end and another one of said N-1 fibers connected to said instrument located at said other system end and the one of said N instruments next adjacent said other system end located instrument in a direction towards said one system end, each of said N-1 fibers other than said one fiber connected to said one system end located instrument and said another fiber connected to said other system end located instrument connected between one of said other than N instruments and that one of said other than N instruments next adjacent; each of N instruments comprising: i) a single means for generating a pulse of light; ii) means for splitting said pulse of light into two pulses of light each having essentially the same power and each associated with one of those two of said N-1 optical fibers connected to said instrument; iii) means responsive to light backscattered from each of said associated one of those two of said N-1 optical fibers for monitoring each of said associated one of those two of said N-1 optical fibers independently of each other when said two pulses of light are input to said associated one of those two of said N-1 optical fibers; and iv) means for causing said single means to generate said pulse of light at times separated by a time 2T where T is selected to be longer than the time it takes for a pulse of light to propagate from one end to the other end of the longest one of said N-1 fibers and in a manner such that a pulse of light from any one of said N instruments propagating in one direction one said associated one of those two of said N-1 fibers does not interfere with a pulse of light from an adjacent one of said N instruments propagating in the opposite direction on said associated one of those two of said N-1 fibers.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 26 wherein each of said other than N instruments monitoring means comprises two light detecting means each associated with said associated one of those two of said N-1 optical fibers.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 26 wherein each of said N instruments monitoring means generates an electrical signal for the backscattered light from each of said associated one of those two of said N-1 optical fibers.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 28 wherein each of said N instruments monitoring means including means individually responsive to each of said electrical signals for monitoring said associated one of those two of said N-1 optical fibers.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 29 wherein each of said N instruments monitoring means further includes a 2:1 multiplexer for multiplexing said electrical signals.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 26 wherein each of said N instruments further comprise means for connecting each of said two light pulses to said associated one of those two of said N-1 optical fibers.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system of claim 31 wherein each of said N-1 fibers are live fibers for propagating light having a first predetermined wavelength and each of said N instruments connecting means includes means for wave division multiplexing each of said two light pulses with said first predetermined wavelength propagating light, each of said two light pulses having a second predetermined wavelength which is different than said first predetermined wavelength.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-11-25 | 1995-05-27 | 1995-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-11-25 | 1999-05-27 | 1999-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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