Patent ID: 8218964
Filing Date: 2012-07-10
Classification: H04J

Abstract:
1. An interface between a network component and an optical fiber section to a remote interface and a remote network component at an opposite end of said optical fiber section, said optical fiber section having transmitting optical fibers and receiving optical fibers, said interface comprising: a network component input port receiving optical signals from said network component; a network component output port transmitting optical signals to said network component; an optical fiber link output port sending optical signals from said network component input port to said optical fiber section and said remote interface and component, said optical signals modulated at least one data frequency; an optical fiber link input port receiving optical signals from said optical fiber link for said network component output port; a switch unit selecting receiving optical fibers of said optical fiber link for optical signals for said network component output port; a plurality of photodiodes monitoring optical signals sent from said optical fiber link output port and monitoring optical signals received through said optical fiber link input port; a plurality of VOAs (Variable Optical Attenuators) controlling the strength of signals sent on said optical fiber link output port; and a control unit responsive to said plurality of photodiodes and controlling said plurality of VOAs and said switch unit, said control unit directing protection operations upon detection of a fault on a receiving optical fiber of said optical fiber section and further directing management, testing and maintenance operations for said interface including over-modulating said optical signals sent from said optical fiber link output port at frequencies much lower than said at least one data frequency to communicate such functions to said remote interface.