Patent ID: 8682159
Filing Date: 2014-03-25
Classification: H04B,H04J

Abstract:
1. An optical communication system comprising: a first shore station; a second shore station; an optical fiber cable extending from said first shore station to said second shore station through a body of water, said optical fiber cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers and a power conductor; a detection network transmitter at said first shore station for transmitting only one or more detection network signals on a detection network transmission path comprising a first one of said plurality of optical fibers, whereby said detection network transmission path carries only said one or more detection network signals, each of said detection network signals having an associated low data rate; at least one detection node coupled to said detection network transmission path between said first shore station and said second shore station, said detection node including at least one detector configured to detect at least one condition and provide detector data representing said detected condition on at least one of said detection network signals; a detection network receiver coupled to said detection network transmission path at said second shore station for receiving said at least one of said detection network signals from said detection network transmission path; a communication network transmitter at said first shore station for transmitting only a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signal on a communication network transmission path comprising a second one of said plurality of optical fibers, said second one of said plurality of optical fibers being a different one of said plurality of optical fibers than said first one of said plurality of optical fibers, whereby said communication network transmission path carries only said WDM signal, each channel of said WDM signal having an associated high data rate higher than said associated low data rates of each of said detection network signals; at least one optical amplifier coupled to said communication network transmission path for amplifying said WDM signal; a communication network receiver coupled to said communication network transmission path at said second shore station for receiving said WDM signal from said communication network transmission path; and power feed equipment (PFE) configured for supplying a current on said power conductor of said optical fiber cable for providing power to said at least one detection node coupled to said detection network transmission path and said at least one optical amplifier coupled to said optical communication network transmission path; wherein said detection network transmission path extends between said first and second shore stations and bypasses said at least one optical amplifier whereby said at least one of said detection network signals is transmitted from said first shore station to said second shore station without amplification by said at least one optical amplifier, and wherein said communication network transmission path extends between said first and second shore stations and bypasses said at least one detection node whereby said WDM signal is transmitted from said first shore station to said second shore station without passing to said at least one detection node.