Patent ID: 9312953
Filing Date: 2016-04-12
CPC Classification: G01M,H04B,H04J

Claim Text:
1. A method for performing optical measurements on one or more wavelengths of one or more optical fibers by a network terminal for use in an optical fiber network, wherein the network terminal is disposed to using frames of a network protocol for data communications on the one or more optical wavelengths, the method for performing optical measurements on the one or more wavelengths of the one or more optical fibers by the network terminal comprising: scheduling a test interval in synchrony with the frames of the network protocol, the test interval comprising a first time interval for transmitting an optical test signal followed by a second time interval for turning off an optical transmitter followed by a third time interval for measuring the optical test signal; during the first time interval of the test interval, using the optical transmitter for transmitting the optical test signal on one of the one or more wavelengths used for data communications onto one of the one or more optical fibers; during the second time interval of the test interval, turning off the optical transmitter resulting in no further light transmissions by the optical transmitter for the duration of the second time interval; setting the bias voltage of an avalanche photo diode responsive to the turning off the optical transmitter; during the third time interval of the test interval, measuring a portion of the optical test signal using the avalanche photo diode, and turning on the optical transmitter after the test interval.