Patent ID: 9680569
Date: 2017-06-13
CPC Classifications: H04B,H04J,H04Q

Claim:
1. A method of validating connections in an optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) comprising a plurality of modules configured to route optical signals through the OADM, and at least one multi-fiber cable connecting modules of the OADM, the method comprising: controlling a light source connected to a first port of a first module of the plurality of modules to emit a test signal, wherein the light source comprises an optical amplifier disposed in the first module, and wherein controlling the light source comprises driving the amplifier to emit Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) light as the test signal; determining whether or not the test signal is received at a first photo-detector connected to a second port; and validating a continuity of an unused connection that is out-of-service in the OADM between the first port and the second port when the test signal is received at the first photo-detector, wherein the light source and the photo-detector are disposed in the OADM, and wherein the unused connection between the first port and the second port comprises one or more loop-backs in the at least one multi-fiber cable connecting modules via loop-back connectors connected on unused ports thereon, wherein the one or more loop-backs optically connect corresponding pairs of fibers in the at least one multi-fiber cable connecting modules such that an optical signal is routed back to a particular module from which the optical signal was received.