OPTICAL TIME DOMAIN REFLECTOMETER AND METHOD

Abstract: An optical time domain Reflectometer has means (40, 42) for generating three different wavelengths. Means (40, 42) is provided for alternating between one of the wavelengths ( lambda 1) and the other two wavelengths ( lambda 1+ DELTA lambda , lambda 1- DELTA lambda ) in response to a signal generator (44). This enables the provision of a test signal for transmission on an optical fibre transmission cable.

Description: OPTICAL TIME DOMAIN REFLECTOMETER AND METHOD This invention relates to an optical time domain reflectomer (OTDR) and a method of fault or break detection by optical line domain reflectometry. Optical communication systems are increasingly relying on the use of optical amplifiers to boost the optical signals so that communication at high bit rates over long ranges can be achieved. The cable and amplifiers for such systems are often located in inaccessible places, so a method of fault finding remotely from the ends of the system is required. One method for measuring faults in fibre spans which has been used extensively is the Optical Time Domain Reflectometer. This injects an optical pulse into the fibre and then measures the relative magnitude and delay of the back scatter from the pulse as it propagates through the fibre. Generally optical amplifiers used in commercial applications include an optical isolator which prevents the backscattered light from passing back through the amplifier. the isolator therefore precludes the use of this type of OTDR on fibre spans employing optical amplifiers. Several methods have been proposed for fault location on a bidirectional optically amplified line e.g. R. Jensen, C. Davidson, D. Wilson and J. Lyons. "Novel technique for monitoring long haul undersea optical amplifier systems. Conference on Optical fibre Communications 1994. Paper ThR3. The most convenient is the inclusion of cross couplers between the send and return amplifiers within a repeater as illustrated in Figure 1. Note: AScC are an amplifier pair in one repeater, B&C are an amplifier pair in the next repeater in the line. Conventional OTDR's using an amplitude modulation pulse stream are not suitable for use in a system employing optical amplifiers since the amplifiers require a constant mean power with respect to the erbium fibre time constant. To overcome this it has been proposed by Y. Horiuchi, S. Ryu, K. ochizuki and H. Wakabayashi, in "Novel Coherent Hetrodyne Optical Time Domain Reflecto etry for Fault Localisation of Optical Amplifier Submarine Cable Systems". IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, Vol 2, No. 4. April 1990, that the pulses used are in the form of frequency shift keying of an optical carrier (as in FSK RADAR) . Such systems suffer from degradation due to polarisation effects and the present invention seeks to reduce the effect of polarisation. The present invention seeks to provide an improved optical time domain Reflectometer. According to the invention there is provided an optical time domain Reflectometer comprising means for generating three different wavelengths and means for alternating between one of the wavelengths λ x and the other two wavelengths in response to a signal generator for providing a test signal for transmission on an optical fibre transmission cable. By employing a different wavelength for alternate signal portions polarisation reflection states would be different in each case so that polarisation sensitivity is reduced. The three different wavelengths may be derived from a common narrow linewidth laser source by means of one or more optical modulators responsive to an RF signal which is triggered to provide the alternation between one of the wavelengths being the narrow linewidth, and the other two wavelengths. In a refinement of the invention a single acousto-optical modulator is coupled to the laser source and is provided with oppositely disposed modulating inputs driven alternately from an RF generator in response to a pulse signal generator. The modulator may have individual outputs for the three wavelengths, which outputs are combined onto a single line by optical coupling means to provide the test signal for transmission. In one advantage construction there may be provided first, second and third acousto-optical modulators, all optically coupled to the output of the laser source, the first and second of which modulators are coupled to an RF generator which provides a modulating signal, the third of which modulators is gated on and off to communicate the laser wavelength to an output line and fourth and fifth acousto-optic modulators coupled between the output of first and second acousto-optic modulators respectively to an optical coupler which communicates to the output line and wherein a complementary code generator is effective to provide the gating signal to the third acousto-optic modulator to gate on in the absence of a test signal transmission and on and off during a test signal transmission when it provides complementary gating signals to the fourth and fifth acousto-optical modulators to provide the test signal for transmission. The reflectomer may comprise an optical receiver for receiving the test signal after reflection from the optical fibre transmission cable, wherein the receiver is arranged to hetrodyne the received wavelengths with said one of the wavelengths such that the difference frequency between that wavelength and the other returning wavelengths are detected, an envelope detector for the detected difference frequency signals and a signal processor for determining the location of a break or fault in the transmission cable as a function of the time delay between transmitted and received test signals . The reflectomer may comprise two optical receivers both coupled to receive the test signal after reflection from the optical fibre transmission cable, wherein one receiver is arranged to heterodyne the received wavelengths with a first one of said other two wavelengths and is routed via a low pass filter and envelope detector to a signal processor to provide an input indicative of the receipt of the first one of the wavelengths and the other receiver is arranged to heterodyne the received wavelengths with a second one of said other two wavelengths and is routed via another low pass filter and envelope detector to the signal processor such that the signal processor can distinguish between the received first and second wavelengths thereby to permit transmission and detection of a bipolar test signal. The test signal transmission may constitute a complimentary code e.g. Golay code and the signal processor may be adapted to detect that code. In one advantageous embodiment said other two wavelengths are equidistantly displaced in frequency one above and one below the frequency of said one of the wavelengths . According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of fault detection in an optical fibre transmission line comprising the steps of generating three different wavelengths, transmitting an outgoing signal which comprises a first one of the wavelengths in the absence of a test signal and a digital test signal which alternates between the first wavelength and a second and third wavelength to provide the test signal, receiving and detecting the test signal after reflection from a fault or break on the line and determining the location of the fault or break as a function of the time delay between transmission and receipt of the test signal. In order that the inventions and its various other preferred features may be understood more easily, some embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example only with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates schematically a conventional system which permits optical time domain reflectometers to be employed in an optically amplified system for detection of breaks, Figure 2 is a block schematic diagram of an OTDR constructed in accordance with the invention and suitable for use in the system of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a waveform amplitude/time diagram to illustrate the signals generated by the OTDR of Figure 2, and Figure 4 is a block schematic diagram of an alternative OTDR constructed in accordance with the invention. In Figure 1 an outgoing optical fibre line 10, for transmission of traffic, has a pair of amplifiers A&B and is illustrated to have a break 12. A return optical fibre line 14 for receipt of traffic has a pair of optical amplifiers D & C. An OTDR transmitter is coupled to input 16 so as to launch a pulse onto the line 10. The pulse is reflected or backscattered from the break 12 and is coupled via optical couplers 18, line 10 and optical coupler 11 across to the return line 14 and is amplified by the amplifier C before passing out of the output 22 of the return line to an OTDR receiver. The present invention is useable in such a system. Referring now to Figure 2 there is shown an acousto- optic modulator 30 for example a Bragg cell which is employed to generate three wavelengths from a single narrow linewidth laser source 32 e.g. a distributed feedback laser or an external cavity laser. A suitable laser wavelength is 1550nm. An RF generator 34 having a frequency of e.g. 50MHz is coupled to oppositely disposed modulator inputs 36, 38 via individual optical multiplier or optical switches 40, 42. The multipliers 40, 42 are each coupled to a different outputs of a pulse generator 44 which outputs are arranged both to provide a logic 0 out in a quiescent state and to provide complementary pulses when in operation to generate a test signal. In the quiescent state a logic 0 applied to each of the multipliers prevents passage of the RF drive frequency to the inputs 36 and 38 of the modulator 30. When the pulse generator 44 is in operation it provides complementary switching pulses to the mixers 40, 42 so that the RF drive is alternately switched between the inpucs 36 and 38 in response to generator pulses such that the modulator produces the waveform illustrated in Figure 3 where λ 1 is the wavelength of the laser 32 and Δλ is the wavelength equivalent of the 50MHz RF oscillator. The pulses λ,+Δλ and λ α -Δλ may or may not be the same amplitude as the signal k 1 . The acousto-optic modulator has three outputs one for λ x one for λ^+ λ and one for λ^-Δλ. The outputs for wavelengths λj+Δλ and λ 1 -Δλ are each coupled via optical couplers 46, 48 an output line for the wavelength λ x and the output line is connected via an amplifier 52 to a transmission system under test. A return line 54 from an amplifier 56 is coupled to the input of an optical receiver and receives the reflected OTDR signals. The output of the laser 32 at wavelength λ 1 is coupled via optical coupler 60, optical fibre 62 and optical coupler 64 to the return line 54 and into the receiver 58. The receiver heterodynes λ x with the returning signal and produces a common difference frequency of wavelength Δλ (50 MHz) from both wavelengths λ x +Δλ and λ-Δλ and this permits the generation of a common frequency for each test pulse. This is then passed through a bandcase filter and envelope detector circuit to a signal processor 59. The signal processor also receives pulses from the pulse generator 44 and compares the time delay between transmission and reception of test pulses and determines the location of the break as a function of the time delay. The arrangement of Figure 1 is advantageous in that a single laser is employed to generate three wavelengths. The use of three wavelengths has a beneficial effect in reducing the effect of polarisation sensitivity which results in reduction of dynamic range of the systems. However, the arrangement does not permit distinction between the two return pulse wavelengths, as they both have the same frequency after heterodyning, and this prevents the use of bipolar complementary coding. Figure 4 illustrates an alternative OTDR which permits distinction of a bipolar complementary coded test signal. In this arrangement a narrow linewidth laser source 70 of wavelength λ λ has an output line 72. First second and third acousto-optical modulators 74, 76 and 78 respectively are optically coupled to the line 72. The first and second modulators are coupled to the line 72 via optical couplers 80, 82. The fist and second modulators 74, 76 are each coupled to an RF generator 77 of e.g. 50MHz so as to provide a wavelength at their outputs of X-^+AX & λ : -Δλ respectively. The third modulator 78 has an output to a line 84 to a system under test and has a gating input 86 which receives an output from complementary code generator which is effective to gate the modulator 78 on an off to communicate the laser wavelength X x to the output line 84. Fourth and fifth acousto-optic modulators 90, 92 are coupled between the output of first and third acousto-optic modulators respectively and to an optical coupler 94, 96 which communicates to the output line 84. The complimentary code generator 88 has two further outputs coupled one to each of the modulators 90, 92 via gating inputs 98, 100. The complementary code generator is effective to provide a gating signal to the third modulator to gate on in the absence of a test signal transmission and on and off during a test signal transmission when it provides complementary gating signals to the fourth and fifth modulators so as to provide on the output line 84 a signal which alternates between wavelength X x and X x + Δλ and λ j -Δλ. The receiving path 102 from the line is split via an optical coupler 104 into two paths one to each of two optical receivers 106, 108 so that they receive the test signals after reflection from the fault in the optical fibre transmission cables. The input to one of the receivers 106 is coupled to the output of modulator 76 and receives the additional wavelength X X - ΔX whilst the input to the receiver 108 is coupled to the output of modulator 74 and receives the additional wavelength X λ +AX . These additional wavelengths heterodyned with the received wavelengths and are routed via a low pass filter and envelope detector 110 or 112 to a signal processor 114. Accordingly the signal processor can distinguish between the received first and second wavelengths. This permits the transmission and detection of a bipolar test signal which can be transmitted in complementary code pairs such as a Golay code. Employment of Complementary coding results in increased sensitivity of detection and hence dynamic range.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. An optical time domain Reflectometer comprising means (30, 32, 34) for generating three different wavelengths and means (40, 42) for alternating between one of the wavelengths X x and the other two wavelengths (λ : , +Δλ, λi-Δλ) in response to a signal generator (44) for providing a test signal for transmission on an optical fibre transmission cable. 2. A Reflectometer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the three different wavelengths are derived from a common narrow linewidth laser source (32) by means of one or more optical modulators (30) responsive to an RF signal which is triggered to provide the alternation between one of the wavelengths (λ : being the narrow linewidth, and the other two wavelengths ( X x +X , X - ΔX ) . 3. A Reflectometer as claimed in claim 2, wherein a single acousto-optical modulator (30) is coupled to the laser source (32) and is provided with oppositely disposed modulating inputs (36, 38) driven alternately from an RF generator (34) in response to a pulse signal generator (44) . 4. A Reflectometer as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the modulator (30) has individual outputs for the three wavelengths, which outputs are combined onto a single line (40) by optical coupling means (46, 38) to provide the test signal for transmission. 5. A Reflectometer as claimed in claim 2, comprising first, second and third acousto-optical modulators (74, 76, 78) , all optically coupled to the output of the laser source (70) , the first and second of which modulators (74, 76) are coupled to an RF generator (77) which provides a modulating signal, the third of which modulators (78) is gated on and off to communicate the laser wavelength to an output line (84) and fourth and fifth acousto-optic modulators (90, 92) coupled between the output of first and second acousto-optic modulators (74, 76) respectively to an optical coupler (94, 96) which communicates to the output line and wherein a complementary code generator (88) is effective to provide the gating signal to the third acousto-optic modulator (86) to gate on in the absence of a test signal transmission and on and off during a test signal transmission when it provides complementary gating signals to the fourth and fifth acousto-optical modulators (90, 92) to provide the test signal for transmission. 6. A Reflectometer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising an optical receiver for receiving the test signal after reflection from the optical fibre transmission cable, wherein the receiver is arranged to hetrodyne the received wavelengths with said one of the wavelengths such that the difference frequency between that wavelength and the other returning wavelengths are detected, an envelope detector (66) for the detected difference frequency signals and a signal processor (50 for determining the location of a break or fault in the transmission cable as a function of the time delay between transmitted and received test signals. 7. A Reflectometer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising two optical receivers (106, 108) both coupled to receive the test signal after reflection from the optical fibre transmission cable, wherein one receiver (106) is arranged to heterodyne the received wavelengths with a first one of said other two wavelengths (λ x ~Δλ) and is routed via a low pass filter and envelope detector (110) to a signal processor (114) to provide an input indicative of the receipt of the first one of the wavelengths and the other receiver (108) is arranged to heterodyne the received wavelengths with a second one of said other two wavelengths (λ Δλ) and is routed via another low pass filter and envelope detector (112) to the signal processor (114) such that the signal processor can distinguish between the received first and second wavelengths thereby to permit transmission and detection of a bipolar test signal. 8. A Reflectometer as claimed in claim 7, wherein the test signal transmission constitutes a complimentary code and the signal processor may be adapted to detect that code. 9. A Reflectometer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said other two wavelengths are adequately displaced in frequency one above and one below the frequency of said oneof the wavelengths. 10. A method of fault detection in an optical fibre transmission line comprising the steps of generating three different wavelengths, transmitting an outgoing signal which comprises a first one of the wavelengths in the absence of a test signal and a digital test signal which alternates between the first wavelength and a second and third wavelength to provide the test signal, receiving and detecting the test signal after reflection from a fault or break on the line and determining the location of the fault or break as a function of the time delay between transmission and receipt of the test signal.

Inventors: BUTLER DAVID, SPENCER GEOFFREY, BUTLER, DAVID, SPENCER, GEOFFREY
Applicants: BUTLER DAVID, SPENCER GEOFFREY, STC SUBMARINE SYSTEMS LTD, BUTLER, DAVID, SPENCER, GEOFFREY, STC SUBMARINE SYSTEMS LIMITED
Application year: 1997
Main classification: G01M11
IPC codes: G01M11