Patent ID: 9494484
Filing Date: 2016-11-15
CPC Classification: G01M,H01S

Claim Text:
1. An arrangement for performing optical time reflectometry (OTDR) within a communication system utilizing distributed Raman amplification, the arrangement comprising a Raman pump source for supplying continuous power pump light to generate optical gain in a propagating signal a pulse generator coupled to the Raman pump source, the pulse generator for injecting pulses of a predetermined polarity, duration, modulation depth and repetition interval onto the continuous power pump light such that the injected pulses co-propagate with the continuous power pump light along a span of optical waveguide to be measured while generating optical gain, the injected pulses propagating along the optical waveguide and creating a plurality of reflected pulses as a function of conditions along the optical waveguide; and a monitoring module responsive to the plurality of reflected optical pulses, the monitoring module including a photodetector for converting the reflected optical signals into an electrical reflection signal and a signal processing component for determining OTDR measurements from the electrical reflection signal.