Patent ID: 6134032
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
A method for automatically identifying a system fault in an optical communication system that includes first and second transmission paths for supporting bidirectional communication, said method comprising the steps of:measuring a plurality of optical gain values respectively generated by a plurality of optical amplifier units disposed in respective loop back paths extending through said first and second transmission paths of the optical communication system;obtaining a gain signature by subtracting a plurality of baseline values from the plurality of optical gain values;locating directional state changes along said gain signature to identify a plurality of directional states;assigning to each of said directional states a pre-established state such that said gain signature is represented by a sequence of pre-established states;comparing said sequence of pre-established states of said gain signature to a plurality of predetermined sequences of pre-established states, said predetermined sequences each corresponding to a known fault condition;identifying at least one exact match between said sequence of pre-established states of said gain signature and said pre-determined sequences, said matching predetermined sequence identifying the system fault that gives rise to said gain signature.