Patent ID: 6381010
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
A method of determining at least one characteristic of an optical fiber using a reflectometer, wherein the fiber to be characterized is connected at both ends to first and second reference fibers, respectively, comprising the steps of:performing a first reflectometry measurement using the first reference fiber by connecting a free end of the first reference fiber to a first terminal of an optical switch of a system for generating laser pulses; performing a second reflectometry measurement using the second reference fiber by connecting a free end of the second reference fiber to a second terminal of the optical switch of the system for generating laser pulses; comparing a reflectometer data value at one point of the first reference fiber from the first reflectometry measurement to a reflectometer data value at one point of the second reference fiber from the second reflectometry measurement, wherein the one point of the first reference fiber is a first predetermined distance from an end of the first reference fiber that is connected to one of both ends of said fiber to be characterized, and the one point of the second reference fiber is a second predetermined distance from an end of the second reference fiber that is connected to the other of both ends of said fiber to be characterized, wherein the first predetermined distance is equal to the second predetermined distance; and retaining reflectometer data for said fiber to be characterized only if the data values are the same for both reflectometry measurements.