Patent Description:
The present invention relates to optical fiber network technologies, and in particular, to an optical path processing method and apparatus.

As an access network involves a large quantity of end users and complexly distributed optical link branches, and an all-fiber passive network is used for an entire network, how to implement appropriate monitoring and maintenance on optical links becomes a technical problem that needs to be urgently resolved by an operator. Currently, a monitoring system of an operator mainly uses an optical time domain reflectometer (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer, OTDR for short) to test a link. A relatively mainstream manner of the testing is: using a <NUM>×N optical switch and a dense wavelength division multiplexer (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexer, DWDM for short) to access N access ends. Specifically, <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a principle of a monitoring system in the prior art. As shown in <FIG>, the monitoring system may be placed in a central office optical distribution frame (Optical Distribution Frame, ODF for short), and monitors multiple passive optical networks (Passive Optical Network, PON for short), where the PONs include an optical line terminal (Optical Line Terminal, OLT for short), and the monitoring system includes an OTDR <NUM>, a <NUM>×N optical switch <NUM>, and N WDMs <NUM>. An operating principle of the monitoring system is as follows: The OTDR <NUM> is connected to an input end of the <NUM>×N optical switch <NUM>; after the OTDR <NUM> inputs OTDR test light to the <NUM>×N optical switch <NUM> by using the input end of the <NUM>×N optical switch <NUM>, the OTDR test light may be switched to a particular output channel by using a control system; then, by using a WDM <NUM> corresponding to the particular output channel, the OTDR test light is coupled to a corresponding PON, and is transmitted downstream to an ONU to generate backscattering, where backscattered light coupled to the PON is transmitted upstream to the WDM <NUM> and is returned to the OTDR <NUM>.

However, each output end of a <NUM>×N optical switch needs one WDM, and therefore, when a large-split ratio optical switch is used, costs of the monitoring system and difficulty in managing a fiber patch cord between the optical switch and a WDM may be increased. In addition, space pressure on an equipment room whose space resource is already tight is also increased.

<CIT> describes multi-channel optical assembly that comprises a light channel array, a first light gathering element, a filtering device and a light path transforming device; wherein the light channel array comprises a plurality of first light channel mediums, a plurality of second light channel mediums and third light channel mediums, and the N is an integer greater than <NUM>. A first light signal passing through at least one first light channel medium of the first light gathering element is gathered to a first position, a second light signal comes from the third light channel medium is transmitted to the light path transforming device, and a third light signal returned by the light path transforming device is transmitted and outputted to the first light gathering element.

The present invention provides an optical path processing method and an optical path processing apparatus according to the independent claims, so as to avoid management of a fiber optic patch cord between an optical switch and a WDM in the prior art, and further reduce assembling costs and improve space utilization.

A first aspect of the present invention provides an optical path processing apparatus, including:.

With reference to the first aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the FA further includes a service optical channel, where the service optical channel includes a first segment service optical channel and a second segment service optical channel, where.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the particular channel is the second segment service optical channel.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the first aspect, a distance between the filter and a focus of the service light of the aspheric lens is less than or equal to a second preset value.

With reference to the first aspect or any one of the first to the third possible implementation manners of the first aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the test optical channel is coaxial with the LA and the aspheric lens.

A second aspect of the present invention provides an optical path processing method, including:.

With reference to the second aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the optical path processing method further includes:.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the optical path processing method further includes:.

With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the enabling reflected light corresponding to the test light to pass through the filter, the aspheric lens and the LA, and outputting, through a particular channel, the reflected light corresponding to the test light includes:
enabling the reflected light corresponding to the test light to pass through the filter, the aspheric lens and the LA, and outputting, through the second segment service optical channel, the reflected light corresponding to the test light.

With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, a distance between the filter and a focus of the service light of the aspheric lens is less than or equal to a second preset value.

With reference to the second aspect or any one of the first to the fourth possible implementation manners of the second aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the adjusting a reflector, so that the reflector reflects, at a preset angle, the test light transmitted through the filter to a specular surface of the reflector includes:
controlling, in a MEMS manner, a mechanical manner or a waveguide manner, a position or an angle that is of the specular surface of the reflector and in three-dimensional space, so that the reflector reflects, at the preset angle, the test light transmitted through the filter to the specular surface of the reflector.

With reference to the second aspect or any one of the first to the fourth possible implementation manners of the second aspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the test optical channel is coaxial with the LA and the aspheric lens.

Technical effects of the present invention are as follows: a test optical channel receives test light, and enables the test light to be incident through an LA and an aspheric lens to a surface of afilter; the filter then transmits the test light to a reflector located behind the filter; and the reflector then reflects, at a preset angle, the test light transmitted to a specular surface of the reflector, so that reflected light corresponding to the test light passes through the filter, the aspheric lens and the LA, and is output through a particular channel, where a distance between the reflector and a focus of light transmitted through the aspheric lens is less than or equal to a first preset value. Compared with that an optical switch needs a large quantity of separate WDMs in the prior art, that is, each output end of the optical switch needs one WDM, that a WDM is built in an optical switch is implemented in the present invention, thereby not only avoiding management of a fiber optic patch cord between an optical switch and a WDM in the prior art, but also reducing assembling costs and improving space utilization.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of an optical path processing apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, the optical path processing apparatus in this embodiment may be an optical switch, where the optical switch includes a fiber array (Fiber Array, FA for short) <NUM>, a lens array (Lens Array, LA for short) <NUM>, an aspheric lens <NUM>, a filter <NUM>, and a reflector <NUM>. The FA <NUM> includes a test optical channel <NUM>, where the test optical channel <NUM> is configured to receive test light, and enable the test light to be incident through the LA <NUM> and the aspheric lens <NUM> to a surface of the filter <NUM>. The filter <NUM> is located between the aspheric lens <NUM> and the reflector <NUM>, and is configured to perform transmission on the test light. The reflector <NUM> is at a distance of less than or equal to a first preset value away from a focus of light transmitted through the aspheric lens <NUM>, and is configured to reflect, at a preset angle, the test light transmitted through the filter <NUM> to a specular surface of the reflector <NUM>, so that reflected light corresponding to the test light passes through the filter <NUM>, the aspheric lens <NUM> and the LA <NUM>, and is output through a particular channel.

The test light is OTDR test light, where the OTDR test light is within a transmission band whose range is <NUM> to <NUM>. The first preset value is <NUM>.

In this embodiment, for example, <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a principle of a test optical channel. As shown in <FIG>, the test light is input through the test optical channel <NUM>, and the test light is incident through the LA <NUM> and the aspheric lens <NUM> to the surface of the filter <NUM> and is transmitted through the filter <NUM>. The reflector <NUM> is placed less than or equal to <NUM> behind a focus f2 corresponding to a wavelength of the test light. After the test light is incident to the specular surface of the reflector <NUM>, the reflector <NUM> reflects the test light at the preset angle. The reflected light corresponding to the test light passes through the filter <NUM>, the aspheric lens <NUM> and the LA <NUM>, and is output through the particular channel of the FA. It should be noted that, for a same lens (a lens may be a spherical lens or an aspheric lens), after different bands are incident, a focus shift occurs. A focus of light with a short wavelength is located before a focus of light with a long wavelength.

In this embodiment, test light is received by using a test optical channel, and is incident through an LA and an aspheric lens to a surface of the filter; the filter then transmits the test light to a reflector located behind the filter; and the reflector then reflects, at a preset angle, the test light transmitted to a specular surface of the reflector, so that reflected light corresponding to the test light passes through the filter, the aspheric lens and the LA, and is output through a particular channel, where a distance between the reflector and a focus of light transmitted through the aspheric lens is less than or equal to a first preset value. Compared with that an optical switch needs a large quantity of separate WDMs in the prior art, that is, each output end of the optical switch needs one WDM, that a WDM is built in an optical switch is implemented in the present invention, thereby not only avoiding management of a fiber optic patch cord between an optical switch and a WDM in the prior art, but also reducing assembling costs and improving space utilization.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of another embodiment of an optical path processing apparatus according to the present invention. Based on the foregoing embodiment shown in <FIG>, as shown in <FIG>, the FA <NUM> further includes a service optical channel (not drawn in the diagram), where the service optical channel includes a first segment service optical channel <NUM> and a second segment service optical channel <NUM>. Specifically, the first segment service optical channel <NUM> is configured to receive service light, and enable the service light to be incident through the LA <NUM> and the aspheric lens <NUM> to the surface of the filter <NUM>. The filter <NUM> is further configured to reflect the service light, so that reflected light corresponding to the service light passes through the aspheric lens <NUM> and the LA <NUM>, and is output through the second segment service optical channel <NUM>. The first segment service optical channel <NUM> is located in a first part of the FA <NUM>, and the second segment service optical channel <NUM> is located in a second part of the FA <NUM>, where the first part and the second part are two horizontally and vertically symmetric parts into which the FA <NUM> is divided with the test optical channel <NUM> as a center.

In this embodiment, the FA <NUM> may specifically be an N×N array, where N is an integer. When N is an odd number, the FA <NUM> may be divided into two horizontally and vertically symmetric parts with a central channel (that is, the test optical channel <NUM>) as a center, separately being the first part and the second part.

When N is an even number, the FA <NUM> may be divided into two horizontally and vertically symmetric parts with central channels as centers, separately being the first part and the second part. There are two central channels, where one of the central channels may be used as the test optical channel, and the other may be used as a backup test optical channel.

In this embodiment, for example, <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a principle of a service optical channel. As shown in <FIG>, the service light is input through the first segment service optical channel <NUM> in the first part or through the second segment service optical channel <NUM> in the second part, and converges at a focus f1 after passing through the LA22 and the aspheric lens <NUM>. The filter <NUM> is placed at f1, and the service light is within a reflection band of the filter <NUM>, where a range of the reflection band is <NUM> to <NUM>. Therefore, the reflected light corresponding to the service light is output through the second segment service optical channel <NUM> in the second part or through the first segment service optical channel <NUM> in the first part.

In addition, optionally, when a quantity of ports of the service optical channel is <NUM>, the FA may specifically be a <NUM>×<NUM> array.

Further, when the service light is input through the first segment service optical channel <NUM> in the first part and converges at the focus f1 after passing through the LA <NUM> and the aspheric lens <NUM>, and the reflected light corresponding to the service light is output through the second segment service optical channel <NUM> in the second part by using the filter <NUM>, the particular channel is the second segment service optical channel, that is, the test light and the reflected light that is corresponding to the service light are output through a same channel.

When the service light is input through the second segment service optical channel <NUM> in the second part and converges at the focus f1 after passing through the LA22 and the aspheric lens <NUM>, and the reflected light corresponding to the service light is output through the first segment service optical channel <NUM> in the first part by using the filter <NUM>, the particular channel is the first segment service optical channel, that is, the test light and the reflected light that is corresponding to the service light are output through a same channel.

Further, a distance between the filter <NUM> and a focus of the service light of the aspheric lens <NUM> is less than or equal to a second preset value.

In this embodiment, for example, the second preset value may be <NUM> millimeter.

Further, the test optical channel <NUM> is coaxial with the LA <NUM> and the aspheric lens <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart of an embodiment of an optical path processing method according to the present invention. The method in this embodiment is executed by an optical path processing apparatus. The optical path processing apparatus may specifically be the foregoing optical path processing apparatus shown in <FIG>; then, the method includes:.

A distance between the reflector and a focus of light transmitted through the aspheric lens is less than or equal to a first preset value.

<FIG> is a flowchart of another embodiment of an optical path processing method according to the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, the method in this embodiment may be executed by an optical path processing apparatus. The optical path processing apparatus may specifically be the foregoing optical path processing apparatus shown in <FIG>; then, the method includes:.

Step <NUM>: Divide an FA so as to acquire a first part, a second part, and a test optical channel, where the first part and the second part are two horizontally and vertically symmetric parts, with the test optical channel as a center, in the FA.

Channels that are in a one-to-one correspondence with the first part and the second part form a service optical channel.

Step <NUM>: Receive service light by using a first segment service optical channel, where a service optical channel includes the first segment service optical channel and a second segment service optical channel, where the first segment service optical channel is located in the first part and the second segment service optical channel is located in the second part.

Step <NUM>: Enable the service light to be incident through an LA and an aspheric lens to a surface of a filter, and reflect the service light by using the filter.

Optionally, a distance between the filter and a focus of the service light of the aspheric lens is less than or equal to a second preset value.

Step <NUM>: Output, through the second segment service optical channel, reflected light that is corresponding to the service light and that passes through the aspheric lens and the LA.

Step <NUM>: Receive test light by using the test optical channel.

Step <NUM>: Enable the test light to be incident through the LA and the aspheric lens to the surface of the filter, and perform transmission on the test light.

Step <NUM>: Adjust a reflector, so that the reflector reflects, at a preset angle, the test light transmitted through the filter to a specular surface of the reflector.

Step <NUM>: Enable reflected light corresponding to the test light to pass through the filter, the aspheric lens and the LA, and output, through the second segment service optical channel, the reflected light corresponding to the test light.

Further, in still another embodiment of the present invention, based on the foregoing embodiment shown in <FIG> or <FIG>, a specific implementation manner of step <NUM> or step <NUM> may be:
controlling, in a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) MEMS manner, a mechanical manner or a waveguide manner, a position or an angle that is of the specular surface of the reflector and in three-dimensional space, so that the reflector reflects, at the preset angle, the test light transmitted through the filter to the specular surface of the reflector.

Optionally, the test optical channel may further be coaxial with the LA and the aspheric lens.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may understand that all or some of the steps of the method embodiments may be implemented by a program instructing relevant hardware. The program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When the program runs, the steps of the method embodiments are performed. The foregoing storage medium includes any medium that can store program code, such as a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disc.

Claim 1:
An optical path processing apparatus, comprising a fiber array FA (<NUM>), a lens array LA (<NUM>), an aspheric lens (<NUM>), a filter (<NUM>), and a reflector (<NUM>), wherein the FA (<NUM>) is configured to comprise a test optical channel (<NUM>) and a plurality of service optical channels, each service optical channel comprising a pair of segments, wherein
the test optical channel (<NUM>) is configured to receive test light, and enable the test light to be incident through the LA (<NUM>) and the aspheric lens (<NUM>) to a surface of the filter (<NUM>);
the test light is Optical Time Domain Reflectometer, OTDR, test light within a transmission band whose range is <NUM> to <NUM>;
the service light is within a reflection band of the filter (<NUM>), where a range of the reflection band is <NUM> to <NUM>;
the filter (<NUM>) is located between the aspheric lens (<NUM>) and the reflector (<NUM>), and is configured to perform transmission on the test light;
the reflector (<NUM>) is at a distance of less than or equal to a first preset value away from a focus of light transmitted through the aspheric lens (<NUM>), and is configured to reflect, at a preset angle, the test light transmitted through the filter (<NUM>) to a specular surface of the reflector (<NUM>), so that reflected light corresponding to the test light passes through the filter (<NUM>), the aspheric lens (<NUM>) and the LA (<NUM>), and is output through a particular channel;
said particular channel is one of the segments of one of the service optical channels;
further characterized in that the first preset value is <NUM>.