Patent ID: 7016024

Claim:
An apparatus for performing automated optical time domain reflectometry optical return loss measurements on an optical fiber under test, comprising: an illumination module having a controllable illumination source that provides illumination controllable in intensity with respect to time at a predefined wavelength; a radiation detection module having an electromagnetic radiation detector and an amplifier, said electromagnetic radiation detector responsive to said illumination provided by said illumination source and configured to generate a signal representative of said detected illumination; a first control module in communication with and configured to control said illumination module; a second control module in communication with and configured to control said radiation detection module; an analysis module in bi-directional communication with said first and second control modules and in communication with said radiation detection module, and configured to analyze characteristics of said signal representative of said detected illumination; and a launch optical fiber module having at least one predefined characteristic, said launch optical fiber module having a first end configured to receive illumination from said illumination module, and configured to return reflected illumination to said radiation detection module, and a second end configured to be connected to an optical fiber under test; whereby said respective first and second control modules and said analysis module cooperate to control at least a selected one of said illumination provided by said illumination module and a response of said radiation detection module, thereby automatically to determine an optical return loss of an optical fiber under test.