Abstract:
The present invention is directed to methods and an apparatus for reading, displaying, and transmitting data obtained from Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) optical modules and 10 Gigabit Small Form-factor Pluggable (XFP) optical modules, as well as other type of optical modules. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a small handheld unit including an LCD (liquid crystal display) panel, an electrical interface circuit, a battery, and a user-operated switch, is used to interrogate an inserted optical module.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/490,241 filed Jul. 23, 2003, titled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR READING, DISPLAYING, TRANSMITTING AND USING DATA OBTAINED FROM OPTICAL MODULES”, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates generally to the field of optical modules used in communications systems and other devices and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for reading, displaying, transmitting and using data obtained from one or more optical modules and/or for generating a record of such information, e.g., as part of an optical module inventory. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   State of the art optical telecommunication and data communications systems often include elements that employ removable optical interface modules, which in turn provide configuration flexibility in terms of transmission rate, range, protocol, and so forth as well as improved serviceability. These modules, in general, are used in optical telecommunications and data communications equipment, to provide optical-to-electrical conversion of signals, and vice versa. Standardization of these optical modules within the telecommunications and data communications industries has resulted in a wide variety of these modules being available from many vendors and having markedly different operating capabilities while the modules themselves are of the same general size and shape when viewed from the outside. The characteristics of a given module, however, must be compatible with the application of the telecommunications equipment in which it is to be installed. Therefore it is very useful to have a priori knowledge of this compatibility in order to provision and continue telecommunications and data communications services. Moreover, it is useful to generate and maintain inventory control for modules that are stored as replacement spares. 
   Due to the very small size of these modules, it is often not practical to list all relevant operating parameters on the exterior of the module housing.  FIG. 1  illustrates a first exemplary optical module  100  with a limited amount of relatively small text  102  which can be difficult to read.  FIG. 2  illustrates another exemplary optical module  104  with even less information printed thereon than the module of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  illustrates a third module  108  shown next to a dime  110  to give a perspective of the actual size of such devices. 
   Optical telecommunications and data communications systems generally require a cumbersome set of procedures and commands in order to retrieve and display characteristics of installed pluggable optical modules. These systems typically do not provide means to create and maintain an inventory of pluggable optical modules. Furthermore, due to the complexity of these optical telecommunications systems, it is not easy to perform the tasks necessary to obtain characteristic data from the pluggable optical modules. A simple mistake in entry of the cumbersome commands could result in serious undesired side effects including disruption of service to other customers. 
   In view of the above, it should be appreciated that there is a need for a better way and/or device for obtaining optical module information from existing modules. This is particularly important to field service people where insertion of the wrong optical module can be time consuming to detect and possibly harmful to the hardware being serviced. There is also a need for improved inventory control and methods and apparatus given the relatively high cost of such modules and the ease by which mistakes in identifying different modules based on the information printed thereon can occur. Furthermore, going to a service site with the wrong module or troubleshooting problems caused by use of a wrong module can be costly in terms of service technician time and downtime of the unit to be serviced. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to methods and an apparatus for reading, displaying, and transmitting data obtained from Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) optical modules and 10 Gigabit Small Form-factor Pluggable (XFP) optical modules, as well as other types of optical modules. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a small handheld unit including an LCD (liquid crystal display) panel, an electrical interface circuit, a battery, and a user-operated switch, is used to interrogate an inserted optical module. Various characteristics of the inserted module are displayed on the LCD panel and optionally transmitted to an attached computer for non-volatile storage and further manipulation, e.g., printing. 
   The computer, which may be attached by a serial cable or other type of communications link to the portable optical module reader of the present invention, automatically adds or removes optical module information, obtained from optical modules inserted into the reader, from a database of optical module inventory information. During a first mode of operation, under direction of a program included in the memory of the computer, the computer adds optical module identification information read from each optical module inserted into the reader during the first mode of operation, to the database of optical module inventory information. During a second mode of operation, the computer removes optical module identification information obtained from each optical module inserted into the reader, from the database of optical module inventory information. 
   The first mode of operation corresponds to, e.g., adding modules to an inventory while the second mode corresponds to removing modules from an inventory. 
   The portable optical module reader of the present invention is light weight, e.g., under one pound in weight. In some embodiments the case is made of plastic and weighs less than 9 ounces. In other embodiments the total weight of the portable reader is under 6 ounces. 
   For cost and size reasons, a relatively small display, e.g., a display smaller than a conventional notebook computer display is used in various embodiments. The display may have a total area which is less than 25 square inches in size. In various embodiments, the display is less than 2.5″×4″ in size. 
   For portability reasons the case is made, in various embodiments, of a durable plastic capable of withstanding being dropped on a concrete surface without breaking from a height of at least 3 feet. The housing includes a loop which can be used for attaching the portable reader to a belt clip or hook for suspending the device. The loop may be molded and formed at the time the housing is molded. In such cases, the loop is secured to the housing by the very same plastic which is used to form the housing. The housing may be small, e.g., less than 5″×5″×2.5″ in size. Generally it is less than 6″×5″×4″ in size. 
   For ease of use and from a cost perspective, in some embodiments a relatively small number of buttons are provided on the device, e.g., 5 or less, which the user can operate. In one embodiment a single button is provided. Operation of the button causes screens of displayed module information to change. The screens may ultimately be repeated as the various possible screens are viewed in sequence. 
   A serial or other type of computer interface port may be included in the portable device for supplying data read from optical modules to a computer system coupled thereto, e.g., by a serial cable. 
   While being described as being powered by a battery, solar power or other types of power may be, and sometimes are, used to power the portable device of the present invention. 
   Numerous additional features, embodiments and benefits of the methods and apparatus of the present invention are discussed below in the detailed description which follows. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary optical module. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates another exemplary optical module. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a third exemplary optical module shown next to a dime to give a perspective of the actual size of such devices. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the portable Optical Module Reader of the present invention and an exemplary optical module. 
       FIG. 5  shows a front view of the Optical Module Reader of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a rear view of the Optical Module Reader of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a rear view of the Optical Module Reader of  FIG. 4  with the back cover removed. 
       FIG. 8  shows a block diagram of the Optical Module Reader of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates, the sequence of available screen types ( 1 – 5 ) for the exemplary Optical Module Reader of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 10  describes and provides examples of the appearance of the Optical Module Reader&#39;s display screen for each of the available screen types ( 1 – 5 ). 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an exemplary Optical Module Reading Device Inventory System including an Optical Module Reader of  FIG. 4  and a computer which uses the methods of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a portable, lightweight, pluggable, Optical Module Reader  10 , of the present invention, next to an exemplary pluggable Optical Module  13 . Exemplary pluggable optical module  13  is illustrative of a typical SFP optical module. Optical Module Reader  10  includes a display screen  11 , a user button  12 , an SFP optical module receptacle  14 , a XPF optical module receptacle  17 , an attachment point  15 , and a case  8 . Display screen  11 , may be, e.g, a LCD panel with a 2 line screen display, and is used to display operating instructions, module characteristics, warning messages, and other similarly related information. The user button  12  is depressed by the operator to change modes, cause additional data to be displayed, and signal other information. SFP optical module receptacle or socket  14  and XFP optical module receptacle or socket  17  accept industry standard SFP and XFP optical modules, respectively. Attachment point  15  is a loop formed in case  8  which provides a means for attaching the Optical Module Reader  10  to a lanyard or belt clip for user convenience. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of the Optical Module Reader  10  of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 5  shows that Optical Module Reader  10  also includes a serial interface port  18 . The serial interface port  18  provides an interface to couple the Optical Module Reader  10  to a computer system which may be used for inventory purposes. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates a rear view of the Optical Module Reader  10  of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 6  shows that Optical Module Reader  10  also includes a back cover screw  60 . 
     FIG. 7  illustrates another rear view of the Optical Module Reader  10  of  FIG. 4 . In  FIG. 7 , it may be seen the cover  8  includes a front cover portion  8 ″ and a back cover portion  8 ′. In  FIG. 7 , back cover screw  60 , which is used to secure the back cover  8 ′ to device  10 , has been removed exposing the inside of device  10 , showing a battery  72 , and a printed circuit board  70 . Battery  72  is used to power the Optical Module Reader  10 , and the battery  72  may be easily replaced, when required by removing the back cover  8 ′. Circuit board  70  is secured to the front portion of the case  8 ″ by screws  61 ,  62 . The circuit board  70  includes electronics, e.g. a microcontroller, RAM (Random Access Memory), and Flash ROM (Read Only Memory). Circuit board  70  includes circuitry that performs operations of the invention and implements methods of the present invention including, e.g., accessing the information stored in the optical devices which are plugged into the reader  10 , processing input selections generated by the user, outputting onto display  11 , and communicating with external computers through serial port  18  for providing inventory information and for other functions. 
     FIG. 8  illustrates a block diagram  800  of the exemplary Optical Module Reader  10  of  FIG. 4 . Block diagram  800  includes a Microcontroller and integral firmware (RAM &amp; FLASH ROM)  802 , a software controlled power supply and battery monitoring circuit with battery connections  804 , a Host interface  806  including serial interface port  18 , button  12 , SFP receptacle or socket  14 , XFP receptacle or socket  17 , a display  11 , e.g., LCD panel, and battery  72 . Microcontroller  802 , central to the operation of the Optical Module Reader  10  and system, sends commands to and retrieves module data from SFP modules inserted into socket  14  or XFP modules inserted into socket  17 , interprets the data, and subsequently formats and presents the data on the LCD panel  11 . Optionally, module data is transmitted via the Host interface  806  through serial port  18  to a PC or other apparatus in the system. The user Button  12  provides an operator input capability to the microcontroller  802  and is used to select, signal, and otherwise convey user input. The battery  72  connects to the software controlled power supply  804  providing a power source for Optical Module Reader  10 . Software controlled power supply  804  interfaces with microcontroller  802  in performing its operations. Software controlled power supply  804  supports voltage regulation/detection circuitry which controls and maintains operating power for the components  802 ,  806 ,  18 , and  11  of the Optical Module Reader  10 . Software controlled power supply  804  also supplies the power to SFP optical modules inserted into socket  14  or XFP modules inserted into socket  17 . 
     FIG. 9  illustrates a block diagram  900  of a pictorial sequence of 5 screen displays available on the display  11  of an exemplary embodiment of the Optical Module Reader  10 .  FIG. 9  shows the uni-direction display sequence and wrap around feature of screen types.  FIG. 9  shows 5 screen types: Screen  1   950 , Screen  2   952 , Screen  3   954 , Screen  4   956 , Screen  5   958 . Each touch of the user button  12  advances one screen. The sequence of screen advancement is as follows: Screen  1   950 =&gt;Screen  2   952 =&gt;Screen  3   954 =&gt;Screen  4   956 =&gt;Screen  5   958 =&gt;Screen  1   950 . Each Screen display type  950 ,  952 ,  954 ,  956 ,  958  provides 2 lines of SFP/XFP data. 
     FIG. 10  provides a table  1000  with a description and example for each of the 5 screen types: Screen  1   950 , Screen  2   952 , Screen  3   954 , Screen  4   956 , and Screen  5   958 . Center column  1003  of  FIG. 10  lists Screen #, which is the screen reference number or screen type. Left column  1001  of  FIG. 10  explains information shown in each row. Right column  1002  of  FIG. 10  shows exemplary information displayed on the two lines of the screen of Optical Reader Module Device  10  for each of the 5 screen types. 
   Referring to the first row of  FIG. 10 , Screen  1   950  descriptive information  1010  includes a first line with Vendor Name and a second line with Part Number. The Vendor Name lists the inserted module manufacturer and may be displayed as an alphanumeric character sequence of up to 16 characters. The part number displayed is a manufacturer-assigned part number, up to 16 alphanumeric characters. Typically the two lines of screen  1   950  are also printed on the cover of the SFP/XFP optical module that is inserted into Optical Reader Module Device  10 . An example of Screen  1   1011  is included as line 1: Vendor=Agilent, line 2 Part Number=HFBR-5701L. 
   Referring to the second row of  FIG. 10 , Screen  2   952  descriptive information  1012  includes a first line with Serial Number and a second line with Revision. The Serial Number lists a unique manufacturer-assigned identification number and may be displayed as an alphanumeric character sequence of up to 16 characters. The Revision Number displayed is an optical module revision number, up to 2 alphanumeric characters. Note: the revision number is not always programmed into the optical module, and in such a case, NA shall be displayed. An example of Screen  2   1013  is included with line 1: Serial Number=XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, line 2 Revision=Revision: [01]. 
   Referring to the third row of  FIG. 10 , Screen  3   954  descriptive information  1014  includes a first line with Transceiver Type information and a second line with Rate and Encoding information. The Transceiver Type is provided on the first line and may include Protocol-related rate, reach, and mode characteristics and may be displayed as an alphanumeric character sequence of up to 16 characters. The second line includes signaling rate and encoding type information, where the maximum signaling rate is displayed as a first character sequence of up to 8 alphanumeric characters, and the encoding is displayed as a second character sequence of up to 5 alphanumeric characters. An example of Screen  3   1015  is included with line 1: Transceiver Type=GbE-SX I/SN, line 2 Rate Encoding=1200 Mb/s 8B10B. 
   Referring to the fourth row of  FIG. 10 , Screen  4   956  descriptive information  1016  includes a first line with Range Data  1  information and a second line with Range Data  2  information. Range  1  is provided on the first line and Range  2  is provided on the second line, and each line may be displayed as an alphanumeric character sequence of up to 16 characters. For single mode transmitters, a maximum range will be provided on line 1 for Range  1  and no data is shown on line 2 for Range  2 . For multimode transmitters, the maximum range on 50 um fiber is shown on line 1 for Range  1  and the maximum range for 62.5 um fiber is shown on line 2 for Range  2 ; each line may be displayed as an alphanumeric character sequence of up to 16 alphanumeric characters. An example of Screen  4   1017  is included with line 1: 50 um 200M, line 2: 62 u 300M, indicating that a multimode transmitter module has been inserted into Reader  10  with maximum ranges of 200M for 50 um fiber and 300M for 62.5 um fiber. 
   Referring to the fifth row of  FIG. 10 , Screen  5   958  descriptive information  1018  includes a first line with Manufacturer date and Lot Number information and a second line with Checksum information. On the first line, the manufacturer date is listed in up to 10 alphanumeric characters using the format MM/DD/YY. The Manufacturer Lot number is listed as up to two alphanumeric characters. The lot may not always be programmed into an optical module, and in such cases, NA shall be displayed. The second line provides a test on the internal memory of the optical devices under test. SFP internal memory is divided into two zones, each with a preprogrammed checksum. The memory is read, the checksum is computed, and the resultant checksum is compared with the programmed checksum. If the checksum matches, “OK” is displayed; otherwise “FA” is displayed indicating a failure. An example of Screen  5   1019  is included with line 1: Mfg Date, Lot No.=Dec. 9, 2001 Lot00, line 2 Checksums=Checksums OK/OK. 
     FIG. 11  illustrates an exemplary system  1100  in accordance with the present invention. System  1100  may be used to perform inventory control functions and other operations relating to optical modules. System  1100  includes Optical Reader Module Device  10  coupled to a computer  1102  via an interface cable  1104 . The interface cable  1104  may be, e.g., a RS232 serial interface port cable. The computer  1102  may include a processor  1110 , e.g., CPU, a display  1112 , e.g. CRT or flat screen display, an input device  1116 , e.g, keyboard, mouse, keypad, an output device  1122 , e.g. printer, an input/output interface  1106 , e.g, serial port, and memory  1114 . The various elements CPU  1110 , display  1112 , output device  1122 , input device  1116 , I/O interface  1106 , and memory  1114  are coupled together via bus  1108  over which the elements can exchange information and data. Memory  1114  includes a module inventory control routine  1118  and a module inventory data base  1120 . The CPU  1110  executes the routines in memory  1114  to control the operation of the system  1100  and implement the various features and methods of the present invention. The module inventory control routine  1118  supports at least two modes of operation. Modes may be selected by operator interaction through input device  1116 . When in an add to inventory mode, each time a user inserts a new optical module into the Optical Module Reader  10 , optical module information is conveyed through serial port  18  over cable  1104  and through I/O interface  1106  so that the computer&#39;s inventory control routine  1118  can update the information in the module inventory data base  1120 . When the system  1100  is in a remove from inventory mode, each time an optical module is inserted into the Optical Module Reader  10 , the information conveyed can be used to remove the module from the list of modules in the module inventory data base  1120 . Other possible modes of operation may include a display mode, where an unknown module is inserted in the Optical Module Reader  10  and the computer  1102  displays the available characteristic information of the module on the display device  1112  and offers an option for a printout on the output device  1122 . Another possible mode of operation may include a matching mode, where a used optical device is inserted into the Optical Module Reader  10 , and the inventory control routine  1118  identifies the optical module, searches the inventory data base  1120  for an identical or substitute modules that is available in stock and may be used and issues a report to the user. 
   Various features and aspects of the present invention may be implemented as hardware, e.g., processor chip, memory devices, software, e.g., routines, or as a combination of hardware and software in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. 
   While various embodiments of the optical module reader of the present invention have been described as showing five different screens of information, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to a particular number of display screens. As newer optical modules are programmed to include additional information than is currently available, the number of display screens supported by the present invention may be increased and/or the amount of information displayed may be increased. 
   While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail, may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.