Patent ID: 8792091

Claim:
A monitoring system for an optically amplified link, comprising: a first optical fiber amplification node comprising: a single optical source for generating optical signals, with which link continuity verification (LCV) testing and optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) testing are carried out, wherein the single optical source is coupled to a first fiber and the first fiber is also coupled to a second optical fiber amplification node; a light receiver coupled to a second fiber, wherein the second fiber is also coupled to the second optical fiber amplification node, and is configured to detect optical signals sent from the second optical fiber amplification node; a Raman laser used to generate Raman gain in a fiber selected from a group consisting of: the first fiber, and the second fiber; and a controller configured to: cause the single optical source to generate a first optical signal that is sent to the second optical fiber amplification node via the first fiber; perform OTDR testing based on receipt of reflections of the first optical signal via the first fibre at the first optical fibre node; perform LCV testing based-in part on a receipt of a second optical signal, by the light receiver, via the second optical fiber, wherein the second optical signal is sent to the first optical fiber amplification node after the second optical fiber amplification node receives the first optical signal, and adjust a power level of the Raman laser based in part on the performed LCV testing.