JP2005102107A - Signal light reflection preventing circuit, remote excitation unit, and light transmission system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a signal light reflection preventing circuit which prevents a reflection of signal light. <P>SOLUTION: A signal light reflection preventing circuit in which light of a wavelength within a reflection preventing band is only transmitted unidirectionally and light of a wavelength out of the reflection preventing band is transmitted bidirectionally has an optical circulator with the first to fourth terminals and a transmission wavelength selection circuit which transmits only light of a wavelength out of the reflection preventing band within inputted light and which interrupts light of a wavelength within the reflection preventing band. A signal light input port is connected to the first terminal of the optical circulator, and the second terminal of the optical circulator is connected to a signal light output port. The output of the third terminal of the optical circulator is inputted to the transmission wavelength selection circuit, the output of the transmission wavelength selection circuit is inputted to the fourth terminal of the four-terminal optical circulator, and one or more reflection preventing bands exist on a wavelength axis. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical transmission system that prevents signal degradation due to multiple reflections, and in particular, a signal light reflection blocking circuit that prevents monitoring light from going backward in the optical transmission path with respect to signal light. Relates to the remote excitation unit.

In a high-speed optical transmission system, multiple reflection of signal light, which is caused by reflection by a plurality of optical connectors or double Rayleigh scattering, becomes a problem. The signal light that has been multiple-reflected in the optical transmission line becomes noise and causes the quality of the received signal to deteriorate. In addition, multiple reflections in the optical amplifier may cause oscillation, which causes the operation of the optical amplifier to become unstable. In order to prevent multiple reflections, it is effective to place an isolator in the optical transmission line, particularly in the optical amplifier. However, if an isolator is disposed in the optical transmission line, all light traveling backward from the signal light is blocked. As a result, it becomes impossible to employ a test method for detecting light that travels backward with respect to signal light, such as an OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometry) signal. Further, it becomes impossible to transmit the supervisory control light from the receiving station to the transmitting station.
In order to solve this problem, a configuration has been proposed in which uplink / downlink lines are used in pairs and are used separately for monitoring light and signal light (Patent Documents 1 and 2). In addition, an optical circulator is used in the optical fiber amplifier to cause the signal light and its reflected light to follow different paths, thereby preventing the reflected light of the signal light from passing through the erbium-doped fiber (hereinafter referred to as EDF) again. A plurality of configurations have been proposed (Non-patent Document 1 and Patent Documents 3 to 6). Further, in Patent Document 7, optical components that use unidirectional transmission at the first wavelength and bidirectional transmission at the second wavelength, the first wavelength is assigned to the system signal, and the second wavelength is assigned to the OTDR signal. Communication systems have been proposed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 04-264430 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-240715 JP 05-102583 A JP 09-210847 A JP 09-261187 A JP 2000-150997 A Japanese National Patent Publication No. 09-508495 1990 National Congress Autumn Fall National Convention B-766, Yoshiaki Sato et al.

  However, these configurations have the following problems. The configurations described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 require an optical transmission network configuration in which, for example, it is necessary to transfer the monitoring light between the upstream and downstream optical transmission lines, and the coupling between the upstream and the downstream is necessary. Limits arise. In the configuration described in Non-Patent Document 1, it is necessary to prepare one set of EDF and excitation light that does not contribute to amplification of signal light for OTDR, and the device configuration becomes redundant. In addition, in the configurations described in Patent Documents 3, 4, and 6, the reflected light of the signal light bypasses the EDF, but cannot prevent multiple reflections or double Rayleigh scattering between the optical connectors. Taking Patent Document 4 as an example, when signal light is reflected at the entrance end (8) and the exit end (9), multiple reflection cannot be prevented, and upstream and downstream of the signal light amplification section (2). It is impossible to prevent double Rayleigh scattering that occurs between the two optical paths. In Patent Document 6, a transmission signal optical transmission line 3a and a failure point locating transmission line (5) are provided between the terminal station (1) and the remote amplifier (2). However, the configuration is not only redundant. When the failure occurs between the terminal station (1) and the remote amplifier (2), there is a problem that it becomes difficult to accurately locate the failure point. Moreover, since the structure of a nonpatent literature 1 and the patent documents 1-6 is an active optical circuit containing the linear repeater, an installation place will be limited. According to the configuration of Patent Document 7, this problem can be solved, but only a wavelength-dependent optical isolator is disclosed for the specific configuration of the “optical component” described in Patent Document 7. In this case, it is technically difficult to bring the “first wavelength” and the “second wavelength” close to each other. Furthermore, in the embodiment described in Patent Document 7, both wavelengths are set to 1.55 μm and 1.3 μm, but the loss of the optical fiber and the gain of the EDF are completely different at these wavelengths. For this reason, there is a problem that it is impossible to accurately measure the power diagram of signal light by OTDR.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and prevents bidirectional reflection of signal light, enables bidirectional propagation of OTDR signals and supervisory control light, and sets the number of wavelength intervals between the signal light and the OTDR signal. In addition to providing a passive signal light reflection blocking circuit and an irreversible remote excitation unit that can be in the order of nm, the signal light reflection blocking circuit or the irreversible remote excitation unit is used to An object of the present invention is to provide an optical transmission system in which an OTDR signal or supervisory control light propagates through the same optical transmission line in the same direction or in the reverse direction.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a signal light reflection blocking circuit in which light having a wavelength in the reflection blocking band is transmitted only in a single direction, and light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band is transmitted in both directions. It has a signal light input port for inputting light, a signal light output port for outputting the signal light, and first to fourth terminals, the first terminal to the second terminal, and the second terminal to the second terminal. 3, an optical circulator for propagating light in the direction from the third terminal to the fourth terminal and from the fourth terminal to the first terminal and blocking light in the other directions, and the input light A transmission wavelength selection circuit that transmits only light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band and blocks light having a wavelength within the reflection blocking band, and the signal light input port is a first terminal of the optical circulator. And a second terminal of the optical circulator is connected to the signal light output port. The output of the third terminal of the optical circulator is input to the transmission wavelength selection circuit, the output of the transmission wavelength selection circuit is input to the fourth terminal of the four-terminal optical circulator, and the reflection prevention One or more bands exist on the wavelength axis.

  The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the transmission wavelength selection circuit includes an interference type optical filter that blocks light having a wavelength within the reflection blocking band and transmits light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band. And

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the transmission wavelength selection circuit includes a demultiplexing AWG having one input terminal and a plurality of n output terminals, and a multiplexing AWG having a plurality of n input terminals and one output terminal. The light input to the transmission wavelength selection circuit is input to an input terminal of the demultiplexing AWG, and n output terminals of the demultiplexing AWG are n inputs of the multiplexing AWG. The light output from the output terminal of the multiplexing AWG is connected to each of the terminals as the output of the transmission wavelength selection circuit, and only light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band is output from the output terminal of the demultiplexing AWG. It is output after being demultiplexed, and only light having a wavelength outside the antireflection band is multiplexed and output from the output terminal of the multiplexing AWG.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a signal light reflection blocking circuit in which light having a wavelength in the reflection blocking band is transmitted only in one direction, and light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band is transmitted in both directions. It has a signal light input port for inputting light, a signal light output port for outputting the signal light, and first to third terminals, the first terminal to the second terminal, and the second terminal to the second terminal. And a light circulator that propagates light in the direction from the third terminal and the third terminal to the first terminal and blocks light in the other directions, and light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band of the input light. A reflection wavelength selection circuit that reflects only light and terminates light having a wavelength within the reflection stopband, and the signal light input port is connected to a first terminal of the optical circulator, and a second terminal of the optical circulator Is connected to the signal light output port, and the optical circular The output of the third terminal is input to the reflection wavelength selection circuit, the reflection stop band is characterized in that there are one or more the wavelength axis.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the reflection wavelength selection circuit includes an interference type optical filter and a total reflection mirror, and light input to the reflection wavelength selection circuit is input to an input terminal of the interference type optical filter. And the output terminal of the interference type optical filter is connected to the total reflection mirror, and the interference type optical filter blocks light having a wavelength within the reflection stop band and transmits light having a wavelength outside the reflection stop band. It is characterized by making it.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the reflection wavelength selection circuit includes a demultiplexing AWG having one input terminal and a plurality of n output terminals, and a multiplexing AWG having a plurality of n input terminals and one output terminal. And the total reflection mirror, the light input to the reflection wavelength selection circuit is input to the input terminal of the demultiplexing AWG, and the n output terminals of the demultiplexing AWG are the AWG for multiplexing Are connected to each of the n input terminals, the output terminal of the multiplexing AWG is connected to the total reflection mirror, and only light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band is separated from the output terminal of the demultiplexing AWG. In this case, only light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band is combined and output from the output terminal of the multiplexing AWG.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the reflection wavelength selection circuit includes a fiber grating and an optical termination, and an input of the reflection wavelength selection circuit is input to an input terminal of the fiber grating, and an output of the fiber grating The terminal is connected to the optical terminal, and the fiber grating reflects light having a wavelength outside the reflection stop band.

  The invention according to claim 8 is an optical transmission having a transmitting station that transmits signal light of one or more wavelengths, a receiving station that receives the signal light, and a transmission section that connects the transmitting station and the receiving station. The transmission section has a configuration in which two or more optical transmission lines and one or more signal light reflection blocking circuits according to any one of claims 1 to 7 are connected in series, and the signal light Is in the reflection stop band.

  The invention according to claim 9 has an OTDR tester in the transmitting station or the receiving station, and an OTDR signal output from the OTDR tester is wavelength-multiplexed with the signal light and passes through the same optical transmission section. The signal light propagates in the same direction or in the opposite direction, and the wavelength of the OTDR signal is outside the reflection rejection band.

  The invention according to claim 10 has a supervisory control light transmitter in the transmitter station or the receiver station, and the supervisory control light output from the supervisory control light transmitter is wavelength-multiplexed with the signal light and is the same Propagating in the same or opposite direction as the signal light in the optical transmission section, the wavelength of the supervisory control light is outside the antireflection band.

  The invention according to claim 11 is characterized in that the transmission section further includes one or more optical amplifying means.

  The invention described in claim 12 is characterized in that the optical amplifying means is a concentrated gain optical amplifier.

  The invention described in claim 13 is characterized in that the optical amplifying means is a distributed amplification type optical amplifier having a gain in the optical transmission line.

  The invention according to claim 14 is characterized in that the optical amplifying means is a rare earth element-doped fiber that is remotely pumped by pumping light transmitted from the transmitting station or the receiving station.

  The invention described in claim 15 is characterized in that the wavelength of the excitation light used in the optical amplifying means is outside the antireflection zone.

In the invention according to claim 16, light having a wavelength within the reflection stop band is transmitted only in one direction, and light having a wavelength outside the reflection stop band is transmitted in both directions, and can be excited by forward pumping or backward pumping. An irreversible type remote excitation unit having a signal light input port for inputting signal light, a signal light output port for outputting the signal light, and first to third terminals, the first terminal The light propagates from the first terminal to the second terminal but does not propagate in the reverse direction, and the light is propagated from the second terminal to the third terminal but does not propagate in the reverse direction. Two optical circulators,
A transmission wavelength selection circuit that transmits only light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band and blocks light having a wavelength within the reflection blocking band among the input light, a rare earth doped fiber, a shared port, and a non-excitation wavelength port; A first and second WDM coupler that has a pump wavelength port and can branch the pump wavelength of the rare earth-doped fiber and other wavelengths; and the signal light input port is the first optical circulator A second terminal of the second optical circulator is connected to a non-excitation wavelength port of the first WDM coupler, and a shared port of the first WDM coupler is connected to the signal light output. A first terminal of the first optical circulator and a third terminal of the second optical circulator are connected via the transmission wavelength selection circuit, and are connected to the first optical circulator. The third terminal of the circulator and the first terminal of the second optical circulator are arranged in cascade with the rare earth doped fiber, the shared port of the second WDM coupler, and the non-excitation wavelength port of the second WDM coupler. The excitation wavelength port of the first WDM coupler and the excitation wavelength port of the second WDM coupler are connected to each other, and the excitation light input from the signal light output port is The rare earth doped fiber reaches the rare earth doped fiber through the excitation wavelength port of one WDM coupler and the second WDM coupler, and one or more reflection blocking bands exist on the wavelength axis.

  In the invention according to claim 17, light having a wavelength within the reflection stop band is transmitted only in a single direction, and light having a wavelength outside the reflection stop band is transmitted in both directions, and can be excited by forward pumping or backward pumping. An irreversible type remote excitation unit having a signal light input port for inputting signal light, a signal light output port for outputting the signal light, and first to third terminals, the first terminal The light propagates from the first terminal to the second terminal but does not propagate in the reverse direction, and the light is propagated from the second terminal to the third terminal but does not propagate in the reverse direction. An optical circulator, a transmission wavelength selection circuit that transmits only light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band and blocks light having a wavelength within the reflection blocking band, and a rare earth-doped fiber, and a shared port. And has a non-excitation wavelength port and an excitation wavelength port A first and second WDM coupler capable of branching a pumping wavelength of the rare earth-doped fiber and other wavelengths; and the signal light input port is connected to a second terminal of the first optical circulator. The second terminal of the second optical circulator is connected to the signal light output port, the first terminal of the first optical circulator is connected to the transmission wavelength selection circuit, and the transmission wavelength selection circuit is The first WDM coupler is connected to a non-excitation wavelength port, the shared port of the first WDM coupler is connected to a third terminal of the second optical circulator, and a third terminal of the first optical circulator And the first terminal of the second optical circulator include the rare earth-doped fiber and the shared port of the second WDM coupler and the second WDM coupler. Non-pumping wavelength ports are connected by arranging them in tandem, and the pumping wavelength port of the first WDM coupler and the pumping wavelength port of the second WDM coupler are connected to each other and input from the signal light output port The pumped light reaches the rare earth doped fiber via the third terminal of the second optical circulator and the pump wavelength ports of the first WDM coupler and the second WDM coupler, and the reflection blocking band has a wavelength One or more exist on the axis.

  In the invention according to claim 18, light having a wavelength within the reflection stop band is transmitted only in one direction, and light having a wavelength outside the reflection stop band is transmitted in both directions, and can be excited by forward pumping or backward pumping. An irreversible type remote excitation unit having a signal light input port for inputting signal light, a signal light output port for outputting the signal light, and first to third terminals, the first terminal The light propagates from the first terminal to the second terminal but does not propagate in the reverse direction, and the light is propagated from the second terminal to the third terminal but does not propagate in the reverse direction. An optical circulator, a transmission wavelength selection circuit that transmits only light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band and blocks light having a wavelength within the reflection blocking band among the input light, a rare earth-doped fiber, and a shared port And has a non-excitation wavelength port and an excitation wavelength port A first and second WDM coupler capable of branching a pumping wavelength of the rare earth-doped fiber and other wavelengths; and the signal light input port is connected to a second terminal of the first optical circulator. A second terminal of the second optical circulator is connected to a non-pumping wavelength port of the first WDM coupler, a shared port of the first WDM coupler is connected to the signal light output port, and The first terminal of the optical circulator and the third terminal of the second optical circulator are connected via the transmission wavelength selection circuit, and the third terminal of the first optical circulator and the second WDM The shared port of the coupler is connected via the rare earth doped fiber, and the non-excitation wavelength port of the second WDM coupler is the first terminal of the second optical circulator. The excitation wavelength port of the first WDM coupler and the excitation wavelength port of the second WDM coupler are connected to each other, and the excitation light input from the signal light output port is the first WDM coupler and The rare earth doped fiber reaches the rare earth doped fiber through the excitation wavelength port of the second WDM coupler, and one or more reflection blocking bands exist on the wavelength axis.

In the invention according to claim 19, light having a wavelength within the reflection stop band is transmitted only in a single direction, and light having a wavelength outside the reflection stop band is transmitted in both directions, and can be excited by forward pumping or backward pumping. An irreversible type remote excitation unit having a signal light input port for inputting signal light, a signal light output port for outputting the signal light, and first to third terminals, the first terminal The light propagates from the first terminal to the second terminal but does not propagate in the reverse direction, and the light is propagated from the second terminal to the third terminal but does not propagate in the reverse direction. Two optical circulators,
A transmission wavelength selection circuit that transmits only light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band and blocks light having a wavelength within the reflection blocking band among the input light, a rare earth doped fiber, a shared port, and a non-excitation wavelength port; A first and second WDM coupler that has a pump wavelength port and can branch the pump wavelength of the rare earth-doped fiber and other wavelengths; and the signal light input port is the first optical circulator A second terminal of the second optical circulator is connected to a non-excitation wavelength port of the first WDM coupler, and a shared port of the first WDM coupler is connected to the signal light output. A first terminal of the first optical circulator and a third terminal of the second optical circulator are connected via the transmission wavelength selection circuit, and are connected to the first optical circulator. The third terminal of the circulator is connected to the non-excitation wavelength port of the second WDM coupler, and the shared port of the second WDM coupler and the first terminal of the second optical circulator are connected to the rare earth element. The pumping wavelength port of the first WDM coupler and the pumping wavelength port of the second WDM coupler are connected to each other via a fiber, and the pumping light input from the signal light output port is the first WDM coupler. The rare earth doped fiber reaches the rare earth doped fiber through the excitation wavelength ports of the WDM coupler and the second WDM coupler, and one or more reflection blocking bands exist on the wavelength axis.

  In the invention according to claim 20, light having a wavelength within the reflection stop band is transmitted only in one direction, and light having a wavelength outside the reflection stop band is transmitted in both directions, and can be excited by forward pumping or backward pumping. An irreversible type remote excitation unit having a signal light input port for inputting signal light, a signal light output port for outputting the signal light, and first to third terminals, the first terminal The light propagates from the first terminal to the second terminal but does not propagate in the reverse direction, and the light is propagated from the second terminal to the third terminal but does not propagate in the reverse direction. An optical circulator, a transmission wavelength selection circuit that transmits only light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band and blocks light having a wavelength within the reflection blocking band, and a rare earth-doped fiber, and a shared port. And has a non-excitation wavelength port and an excitation wavelength port A first and second WDM coupler capable of branching a pumping wavelength of the rare earth-doped fiber and other wavelengths; and the signal light input port is connected to a second terminal of the first optical circulator. The second terminal of the second optical circulator is connected to the signal light output port, the first terminal of the first optical circulator is connected to the transmission wavelength selection circuit, and the transmission wavelength selection circuit is The first WDM coupler is connected to a non-excitation wavelength port, the shared port of the first WDM coupler is connected to a third terminal of the second optical circulator, and a third terminal of the first optical circulator And the shared port of the second WDM coupler are connected via the rare-earth doped fiber, and the non-excitation wavelength port of the second WDM coupler is connected to the second WDM coupler. Connected to the first terminal of the circulator, the excitation wavelength port of the first WDM coupler and the excitation wavelength port of the second WDM coupler are connected to each other, and the excitation light input from the signal light output port is The rare earth doped fiber reaches the rare earth doped fiber through the third terminal of the second optical circulator and the excitation wavelength ports of the first WDM coupler and the second WDM coupler, and one reflection stop band is provided on the wavelength axis. It exists above.

  In the invention according to claim 21, light having a wavelength in the reflection stop band is transmitted only in one direction, and light having a wavelength outside the reflection stop band is transmitted in both directions, and can be excited by forward pumping or backward pumping. An irreversible type remote excitation unit having a signal light input port for inputting signal light, a signal light output port for outputting the signal light, and first to third terminals, the first terminal The light propagates from the first terminal to the second terminal but does not propagate in the reverse direction, and the light is propagated from the second terminal to the third terminal but does not propagate in the reverse direction. An optical circulator, a transmission wavelength selection circuit that transmits only light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band and blocks light having a wavelength within the reflection blocking band, and a rare earth-doped fiber, and a shared port. And has a non-excitation wavelength port and an excitation wavelength port A first and second WDM coupler capable of branching a pumping wavelength of the rare earth-doped fiber and other wavelengths; and the signal light input port is connected to a second terminal of the first optical circulator. The second terminal of the second optical circulator is connected to the signal light output port, the first terminal of the first optical circulator is connected to the transmission wavelength selection circuit, and the transmission wavelength selection circuit is The first WDM coupler is connected to a non-excitation wavelength port, the shared port of the first WDM coupler is connected to a third terminal of the second optical circulator, and a third terminal of the first optical circulator Is connected to the non-excitation wavelength port of the second WDM coupler, and the shared port of the second WDM coupler and the first terminal of the second optical circulator are: The excitation wavelength port of the first WDM coupler and the excitation wavelength port of the second WDM coupler are connected to each other through the rare earth doped fiber, and the excitation light input from the signal light output port is The rare earth doped fiber reaches the rare earth doped fiber through the third terminal of the second optical circulator and the excitation wavelength ports of the first WDM coupler and the second WDM coupler, and one reflection stop band is provided on the wavelength axis. It exists above.

  According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, the transmission wavelength selection circuit includes an interference type optical filter, and the interference type optical filter blocks light having a wavelength within the antireflection band and a wavelength outside the antireflection band. It is characterized by transmitting the light.

  According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, the transmission wavelength selection circuit includes the demultiplexing AWG having one input terminal and a plurality of n output terminals, and the multiplexing having a plurality of n input terminals and one output terminal. And the light input to the transmission wavelength selection circuit is input to an input terminal of the demultiplexing AWG, and n output terminals of the demultiplexing AWG are n of the multiplexing AWG. The light output from the output terminal of the multiplexing AWG is used as the output of the transmission wavelength selection circuit, and the light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band is output from the output terminal of the demultiplexing AWG. Only the light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band is multiplexed and output from the output terminal of the multiplexing AWG.

  The invention according to claim 24 is an optical transmission system having a transmitting station that transmits signal light of one or more wavelengths, a receiving station that receives signal light, and a transmission section that connects the transmitting station and the receiving station. The transmission section has a configuration in which two or more optical transmission lines and the remote pumping unit according to any one of claims 16 to 23 are connected in cascade, and the wavelength of the signal light is the reflection blocking band. It is characterized by being inside.

  The invention described in claim 25 has an OTDR tester in the transmitting station or the receiving station, and the OTDR signal output from the OTDR tester is wavelength-multiplexed with the signal light and passes through the same optical transmission section. The signal light propagates in the same direction or in the opposite direction, and the wavelength of the OTDR signal is outside the reflection rejection band.

  According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, there is a supervisory control light transmitter in the transmitter station or the receiver station, and the supervisory control light output from the supervisory control light transmitter is wavelength-multiplexed with the signal light and is the same Propagating in the same or opposite direction as the signal light in the optical transmission section, the wavelength of the supervisory control light is outside the antireflection band.

  According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, the OTDR tester is disposed in the receiving station, an OTDR signal output from the OTDR tester passes through the transmission wavelength selection circuit, and the transmitter station and the remote excitation unit are connected. The OTDR signal reflected in the transmission section to be connected is configured to pass through the rare earth doped fiber.

  The invention according to claim 28 is characterized in that the wavelength of the OTDR signal is a band outside the band of the signal light, and is a band where the loss of the rare earth-doped fiber is small when there is no excitation light. .

  In the invention according to claim 29, the wavelength band of the OTDR signal has a maximum difference between the gain of the rare earth-doped fiber in the presence of pumping light and the loss of the rare earth-doped fiber in the absence of pumping light. The value is a band of 10 dB or less.

  According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, the wavelength band of the OTDR signal has a maximum difference between the gain of the rare earth-doped fiber in the presence of pumping light and the loss of the rare earth-doped fiber in the absence of pumping light. The value is a band of 5 dB or less.

  In a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, the wavelength band of the OTDR signal has a minimum difference between the gain of the rare earth-doped fiber when pump light is present and the loss of the rare-earth doped fiber when pump light is not present. The value is a band of 1 dB or more.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent an optical signal from being deteriorated by preventing multiple reflections of signal light, and to enable the configuration of an optical transmission system capable of propagating an OTDR signal or monitoring control light that is reverse to the signal light. It is done.

Hereinafter, a signal light reflection preventing circuit and an optical transmission system according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the principle of the signal light reflection prevention circuit of the present invention will be briefly described.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a signal light reflection blocking circuit 3 using a four-terminal optical circulator 1 having first to fourth four terminals. Light incident from the terminal A travels from the port 1 to the port 2 of the optical circulator 1 and is output to the terminal B. On the other hand, the light incident from the terminal B travels from the second terminal of the optical circulator 1 to the third terminal and enters the optical filter 2. If the light incident from the terminal B is outside the transmission band of the optical filter 2, it is terminated here, but if it is within the transmission band, it passes through the optical filter 2 and is again a four-terminal optical circulator 1. Is output from terminal A via terminal 4 and terminal 1.

  As a result, light of an arbitrary wavelength travels from terminal A to B, and only a signal within the transmission band of optical filter 2 can travel from terminal B to A. The wavelength of the signal light is set outside the transmission band of the optical filter 2, the wavelength of the OTDR signal or the monitoring control light is set within the transmission band of the optical filter 2, the terminal A is set as the signal light input terminal, and the terminal B is set as the signal light output terminal. As a result, it is possible to prevent the reflection of the signal light and to allow the OTDR signal or the supervisory control light to proceed in both directions. Since the transmission band of the optical filter can be set to the order of nm, and the center wavelength can be controlled flexibly, the problem of the configuration described in Patent Document 7 is solved.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration example of the signal light reflection blocking circuit 3 using a three-terminal optical circulator 4 instead of the four-terminal optical circulator 1. Light incident from the terminal A travels from the first terminal of the three-terminal optical circulator 4 to the second terminal and is output to the terminal B. On the other hand, the light incident from the terminal B travels from the second terminal of the three-terminal optical circulator 4 to the third terminal and enters the optical filter 2. If the light incident from the terminal B is outside the transmission band of the optical filter 2, it is terminated here, but if it is within the transmission band, it is transmitted through the optical filter 2 and reflected by the total reflection mirror 5. Then, it passes through the optical filter 2 again, returns to the third terminal of the three-terminal optical circulator 4, and is output from the terminal A via the first terminal. As a result, similarly to the example of FIG. 1, light of an arbitrary wavelength can travel from terminal A to B, and only a signal within the transmission band of optical filter 2 can travel from terminal B to A.

  When the signal light reflection blocking circuit 3 is incorporated in the optical transmission system, the wavelength of the signal light is outside the transmission band of the optical filter 2, and the wavelength of the OTDR signal or the monitoring control signal is within the transmission band of the optical filter 2. Is set as the signal light input port, and the terminal B is set as the signal light output port, so that reflection of the signal light can be prevented and at the same time the OTDR signal or the monitoring control light can travel in both directions.

(First embodiment of signal light reflection prevention circuit)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the signal light reflection prevention circuit 3 in the first embodiment. The optical circulator 1 has four terminals from first to fourth and can use light that can propagate light cyclically between the terminals. That is, the first to fourth terminals are provided, the first terminal to the second terminal, the second terminal to the third terminal, the third terminal to the fourth terminal, and the fourth terminal to the second terminal. A type that transmits light in the direction of the terminal 1 and blocks light in other directions is used. Although it is technically difficult to completely prevent propagation in the reverse direction, it is desirable that the transmittance be −50 dB or less. In order to avoid reflection in the signal light reflection preventing circuit 3, the other optical components are connected by a fused or obliquely polished connector. The reflection reduction amount of the signal light input port and the signal light output port is desirably -50 dB or less. In this embodiment, a BPF (band pass filter) 21 is used as the optical filter 2, but an optical filter having at least one transmission band and one cutoff band on the wavelength axis can be realized in addition to the BPF 21. It may be composed of an etalon, or by combining AWG (arrayed waveguide grating), multiple periodic transmission and blocking bands may be created on the wavelength axis, using MEMS (micro electro mechanical systems) You may use the optical device which can set loss for every wavelength like a gain equalizer. It is desirable that the loss in the transmission region is several dB or less and the loss in the blocking region is 50 dB or more. The relation between the input / output characteristics of the signal light input port and the signal light output port and the optical characteristics of the BPF is as described above.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the loss of the BPF 21. In this example, the vicinity of 1.55 μm at which the loss of the optical fiber is minimized is defined as a transmission band, and the L band region often used for WDM transmission is defined as a cutoff region. By installing the signal light reflection preventing circuit 3 at an arbitrary position in the optical transmission line, 1.55 μm light can be propagated in both directions, and multiple reflection of L band light can be prevented. . This wavelength arrangement is an example, and the transmission region may be narrowed or the number of blocking regions may be increased as will be described later.

(Second embodiment of signal light reflection prevention circuit)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the signal light reflection prevention circuit 3 in the second embodiment. In this embodiment, a three-terminal optical circulator is used in place of the four-terminal optical circulator 1 in the first embodiment. The optical circulator 4 has three terminals from first to third and can use light that can propagate light cyclically between the terminals. That is, it has three terminals from first to third, and light propagates from the first terminal to the second terminal, from the second terminal to the third terminal, and from the third terminal to the first terminal. In the other direction, use a type that blocks light. The transmittance of the optical circulator 4 and the reflection reduction amount of the connector are the same as those in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the BPF 21 is used as the optical filter 2. However, in addition to the BPF, an optical filter having at least one transmission band and one cutoff band on the wavelength axis can be realized. It may be configured with an etalon, or by combining AWGs, a plurality of periodic transmission bands and cutoff bands may be created on the wavelength axis, and a loss like a gain equalizer using MEMS can be set for each wavelength. An optical device may be used. The relation between the input / output characteristics of the signal light reflection blocking circuit 3 and the optical characteristics of the BPF 21 is as described above. Unlike the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the light in the transmission region passes through the BPF 21 twice, so the loss is doubled in dB. The total reflection mirror 5 desirably has a flat reflectance in a wide wavelength region, but the reflectance may be lowered as long as the wavelength is in the blocking region of the BPF 21. It is desirable that the reflection reduction amount of the system composed of the combination of the BPF 21 and the total reflection mirror 5 is several dB or less in the transmission region of the BPF 21 and 50 dB or more in the blocking region of the optical filter 2.

(Third embodiment of signal light reflection prevention circuit)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the signal light reflection prevention circuit 3 in the third embodiment. This is obtained by replacing the BPF 21 and the total reflection mirror 5 in the second embodiment with a fiber grating 22 and an optical terminal 9. The transmittance of the optical circulator 4 and the reflection reduction amount of the connector are the same as those in the first embodiment. The fiber grating 22 may be of a type that reflects light of a specific wavelength, and may have one or more reflection wavelengths on the wavelength axis. The relationship between the input / output characteristics of the signal light reflection blocking circuit 3 and the optical characteristics of the fiber grating 22 is substantially the same as in the second embodiment. However, the wavelength of the transmission region of the BPF 21 in the second embodiment corresponds to the reflection wavelength of the fiber grating 22 in the third embodiment, and the wavelength of the cutoff region of the BPF 21 in the second embodiment is the third embodiment. This corresponds to the transmission wavelength of the fiber grating 22 in the embodiment. That is, when the light input from the signal light output port is the reflection wavelength of the fiber grating 22, this light is reflected without reaching the optical terminal 9 and passes through the ports 3 and 1 of the three-terminal optical circulator 4. Output from the signal light input port. When the light input from the signal light output port is not the reflection wavelength of the fiber grating 22, this light is terminated at the optical terminal 9. The reflection attenuation amount at the reflection wavelength of the fiber grating 22 is preferably several dB or less, and the reflection attenuation amount of the optical terminal 9 is preferably 50 dB or more.

(Fourth embodiment of signal light reflection prevention circuit)
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the signal light reflection prevention circuit 3 in the fourth embodiment. This is obtained by replacing the BPF 21 in the second embodiment with the first AWG 23 and the second AWG 24. The transmittance of the optical circulator 4 and the reflection reduction amount of the connector are the same as those in the first embodiment. The wavelengths Λ1 to Λn that can transmit the output Pb of the second AWG 24 from the input Pa of the first AWG 23 are equally spaced on the wavelength axis. The relationship between the input / output characteristics of the signal light reflection blocking circuit 3 and the optical characteristics of the system composed of the first AWG 23 and the second AWG 24 is the same as in the second embodiment, and n types of wavelengths Λ1 to Λn are Propagate in both directions. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the transmittance (transmittance from Pa to Pb) of the system composed of the first AWG 23 and the second AWG 24. In this example, a plurality of transmission bands and cutoff bands are periodically arranged in the L band often used for WDM transmission. By installing the signal light reflection blocking circuit 3 at an arbitrary position in the optical transmission line, a wavelength that can be propagated in both directions and a wavelength that can be propagated in only one direction are periodically arranged on the L band. be able to.

Next, an optical transmission system using the signal light reflection blocking circuit 3 will be described.
(First embodiment of optical transmission system using signal light reflection blocking circuit)
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the optical transmission system of the first embodiment using the signal light reflection blocking circuit 3 described above. Transmitting station 31 includes a n number of transmitters 32 for each output signal light of the wavelength of .lambda.1 to .lambda.n, the OTDR tester 33 that emits OTDR signal of the wavelength of lambda _OTDR. The first AWG 34 combines the signal lights having the wavelengths λ1 to λn, and further combines the OTDR signal with the WDM coupler 35 and outputs the multiplexed signal light to the optical transmission line 51. The optical transmission line 51 is configured by cascading a plurality of optical fibers and the signal light reflection prevention circuit 3 with an optical connector 52. An arrangement in which the optical connector 52 is included in both the upstream optical transmission path and the downstream optical transmission path of the signal light reflection blocking circuit 3 is desirable. Although the transmission band of the signal light reflected blocking circuit 3 as described above is dependent on the direction of the incident light, illustrated from the transmitting station 31 for the light and vice versa to proceed to the receiving station 41, 10 together with the lambda _OTDR and wavelength λ1~λn To do. Signal signal reflection by the optical connector 52 and multiple reflection resulting from Rayleigh scattering of signal light in the optical fiber are blocked by the signal light reflection blocking circuit 3, but the OTDR signal propagates in both directions, so the OTDR test Is possible. In this embodiment, an OTDR signal having a wavelength of λ _OTDR is used, but a monitoring control signal may be used instead of the OTDR signal. Further, the OTDR signal and the monitoring control signal may be transmitted from the receiving station 41 side. In this embodiment, the transmission band of the signal light reflection blocking circuit 3 is single for the light traveling from the receiving station 41 to the transmitting station 31, but the signal light reflection blocking circuit 3 of the fourth embodiment described above is used. Thus, the transmission band in this direction may be separated into a plurality.

(Second embodiment of optical transmission system using signal light reflection blocking circuit)
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optical transmission system according to the second embodiment using the signal light reflection blocking circuit 3 described above. The configurations of the transmitting station 31 and the receiving station 41 are the same as those in the first embodiment. A transmission section connecting the transmission station 31 and the reception station 41 is composed of an optical transmission path 51 and a concentrated gain amplifier 61. The concentrated gain amplifier 61 includes an EDF 62, two excitation light sources 63, and two WDM couplers 64, as in the prior art. In this embodiment, the signal light reflection blocking circuit 3 is further arranged at the input / output end. Although the transmission band of the signal light reflected blocking circuit 3 as described above is dependent on the direction of the incident light, the light and vice versa to proceed to the receiving station 41 from the transmission station 31, shown in FIG. 12 with lambda _OTDR and λ1~λn . In this embodiment, for the light traveling from the receiving station 41 to the transmitting station 31, a plurality of transmission bands and stop bands are periodically arranged, the signal lights λ1 to λn are arranged in the stop band, and λ _OTDR is It is arranged in one of the transmission bands. Since Rayleigh scattering of signal light in the optical fiber is blocked by the signal light reflection blocking circuit 3, oscillation due to multiple reflection in the EDF 62 is blocked, but since the OTDR signal propagates in both directions, the OTDR test is It becomes possible. In addition, since the OTDR signal is close to the wavelength of the signal light, the power diagram of the signal light can be correctly measured even in an optical transmission system that combines an optical device whose wavelength depends on the loss.
In this embodiment, an OTDR signal having a wavelength of λ _OTDR is used, but a monitoring control signal may be used instead of the OTDR signal. Further, the OTDR signal and the monitoring control signal may be transmitted from the receiving station 41 side. Further, in this embodiment, with respect to the light traveling from the receiving station 41 to the transmitting station 31, a plurality of transmission bands of the signal light reflection blocking circuit 3 are provided. However, when the wavelength dependence of the loss of the transmission system can be ignored, the first The transmission band may be single like the signal light reflection prevention circuit 3 of the embodiment.

(Third embodiment of optical transmission system using signal light reflection blocking circuit)
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optical transmission system according to the third embodiment using the signal light reflection blocking circuit 3 described above. The configurations of the transmitting station 31 and the receiving station 41 match the transmitter 32 and the OTDR tester 33 as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, however, an excitation light source for remotely exciting the EDF 72 in the transmission section Match 36. The wavelength λp of the excitation light may be any wavelength that can excite the EDF 72, but is 1.48 μm here. By selecting this excitation wavelength, the signal light receives a gain not only by the EDF 72 but also by Raman amplification in the optical transmission line. Excitation light λp is the WDM coupler 35, is combined with the signal light λ1~λn and OTDR signals lambda _OTDR. A transmission section connecting the transmitting station 31 and the receiving station 41 is composed of an optical transmission path 51 and a remote pumping unit 71. The remote excitation unit 71 has an EDF 72 as in the conventional remote excitation configuration, but in this embodiment, the signal light reflection prevention circuit 3 is further arranged at the input / output end. As described above, the transmission band of the signal light reflection blocking circuit 3 depends on the direction of incident light, but the light traveling from the transmitting station 31 to the receiving station 41 and vice versa are shown in FIG. 14 together with λ _OTDR , λp and λ1 to λn. Illustrated. Since the signal light reflection by the optical connector and the multiple reflection resulting from the Rayleigh scattering of the signal light in the optical fiber are blocked by the signal light reflection blocking circuit 3, oscillation due to the multiple reflection in the EDF 72 is blocked. Since the OTDR signal propagates in both directions, the OTDR test becomes possible. In addition, since the pumping light transmitted from the receiving station 41 and the transmitting station 31 can propagate through the entire section without being blocked by the signal light reflection blocking circuit 3, the Raman of the signal light in the optical transmission line can be transmitted. Amplification can be performed efficiently.
In this embodiment, an OTDR signal having a wavelength of λ _OTDR is used, but a monitoring control signal may be used instead of the OTDR signal. Further, the OTDR signal and the monitoring control signal may be transmitted from the receiving station 41 side.

(First embodiment of optical transmission system using irreversible remote excitation unit)
In the optical transmission system using the signal light reflection blocking circuit 3 shown in FIG. 13, the transmission band of the signal light reflection blocking circuit 3 is slightly complicated, and a cyclic optical circulator (that is, light is propagated cyclically). It was necessary to prepare an optical circulator that can extract light from the first port. Here, a simpler configuration (having three terminals from first to third, light propagates from the first terminal to the second terminal but does not propagate in the reverse direction, and from the second terminal The remote excitation unit 71 enables the reflection prevention of the signal light and the OTDR test in the configuration using the first and second optical circulators in which the light propagates to the third terminal but does not propagate in the reverse direction. Will be described.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing another configuration of the remote excitation unit 71 shown in FIG.
The signal light input from the signal light input port includes first and second optical circulators 73 and 74, an EDF 72, a shared port (a port that can input and output a pump wavelength and other wavelengths), and a non-pump wavelength port (non-pump wavelength port). The signal is output to the signal light output port via first and second WDM couplers 76 and 77 having a pump wavelength port (a port capable of inputting and outputting only the pump wavelength) and a pump wavelength port (a port capable of inputting and outputting only the pump wavelength). The two WDM couplers 76 and 77 have a branching path (denoted as pump in the figure) that branches the pumping light wavelength, but the signal light does not travel on this branching path and passes through the second optical circulator.
When the signal light is reflected from the outside and flows back to the signal light output port, it passes through the second optical circulator 74 and reaches the BPF 75, but the signal light is blocked here.
Excitation light input from the signal light input port excites the EDF 72 via the first optical circulator 73. The pumping light input from the signal light output port pumps the EDF 72 via the pumping wavelength pumps of the first and second WDM couplers 76 and 77.
Note that the EDF 72 and the second WDM coupler 77 shown in FIG. 15 may be arranged at the positions shown in FIG. 17 (the connection order of the EDF 72 and the second WDM coupler 77 is reversed).

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing another configuration of the remote excitation unit 71 shown in FIG.
Like the signal light, the OTDR light input from the signal light input port passes through the EDF 72 and is finally output from the signal light output port. When OTDR light is reflected from the outside and inputted to the signal light output port, it passes through the second optical circulator 74 and reaches the BPF 75, but the OTDR light passes through this and passes through the first optical circulator 73. Are sent back from the signal light input port to the transmitting station.
Note that the EDF 72 and the second WDM coupler 77 shown in FIG. 16 may be arranged at the positions shown in FIG. 18 (the connection order of the EDF 72 and the second WDM coupler 77 is reversed).

In these embodiments, an OTDR signal having a wavelength of λ _OTDR is used, but a monitoring control signal may be used instead of the OTDR signal. Further, the OTDR signal and the monitoring control signal may be transmitted from the receiving station side. The OTDR signal is generally a periodic pulse signal. However, when the instantaneous intensity and period of the OTDR signal can affect the gain dynamics of the erbium-doped fiber, it is desirable that the OTDR signal is emitted from the receiving side. In this case, the OTDR signal bypasses the erbium-doped fiber in the forward path, and only the reflected light of the OTDR signal passes through the erbium-doped fiber, but the reflected light of the OTDR signal is less intense than the OTDR signal itself, so The effect on gain dynamics is mitigated.

In the case of a signal light wavelength multiplexed signal and the interaction between the OTDR light and each signal light cannot be ignored, it is desirable that the wavelength of the OTDR light be arranged outside the signal band. That is, in FIG. 10 and FIG. 14, it is desirable to satisfy either λ _OTDR <λ 1 or λ _OTDR > λ 3. Whether the outside of the short wavelength side or the outside of the long wavelength side is selected, in order to ensure the dynamic range of the OTDR measurement even if the excitation light intensity is reduced or blocked due to an accident or the like, What is necessary is just to select the side where the loss of EDF in the case where it does not exist is small. Specifically, for a sufficiently small OTDR light, the difference between the EDF gain Gpump (Gpump> 0 dB) in the presence of pumping light and the EDF loss L (L <0 dB) in the absence of pumping light. The maximum value of is desirably 10 dB or less. This is because the dynamic range of OTDR is about 40 dB and the loss of the optical transmission line connecting the remote excitation unit and the OTDR device is expected to be 10 to 20 dB. In consideration of the measurement over the entire area of the two optical transmission lines arranged on both sides of the remote pumping unit, it is more preferable that the maximum difference between the EDF gain Gpump and the EDF loss L is 5 dB or less. . In order to accurately detect the decrease in the excitation light intensity, it is desirable that the minimum value of the difference between the EDF gain Gpump and the EDF loss L is 1 dB or more.

  In addition, you may replace the erbium dope fiber (EDF) in embodiment mentioned above with another rare earth element dope fiber.

It is a block diagram for demonstrating the principle of the signal light reflection prevention circuit of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the principle of the signal light reflection prevention circuit of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the signal light reflection prevention circuit 3 in 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the loss of BPF. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the signal light reflection prevention circuit 3 in 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the signal light reflection prevention circuit 3 in 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the signal light reflection prevention circuit 3 in 4th Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the transmittance | permeability (transmittance from Pa to Pb) of the system which consists of 1st AWG23 and 2nd AWG24. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an optical transmission system according to a first embodiment using a signal light reflection blocking circuit 3; FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the transmittance | permeability of the signal light reflection prevention circuit. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the optical transmission system of 2nd Embodiment using the signal light reflection prevention circuit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the transmittance | permeability of the signal light reflection prevention circuit. . It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the optical transmission system of 3rd Embodiment using the signal light reflection prevention circuit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the transmittance | permeability of the signal light reflection prevention circuit. It is a block diagram which shows the other structure of the remote excitation unit 71 shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the other structure of the remote excitation unit 71 shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the other structure of the remote excitation unit 71 shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the other structure of the remote excitation unit 71 shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... 4 terminal optical circulator, 2 ... optical filter,
21 ... BPF, 22 ... Fiber grating,
23 ... 1st AWG, 24 ... 2nd AWG,
3 ... signal light reflection prevention circuit, 4 ... optical circulator with 3 terminals,
5 ... Total reflection mirror, 9 ... Optical termination,
31 ... Transmitting station, 32 ... Transmitter,
33 ... OTDR tester, 34 ... first AWG,
35 ... WDM coupler, 36 ... Excitation light source,
41 ... receiving station, 42 ... receiver,
43 ... 2nd AWG, 44 ... Excitation light source,
45 ... WDM coupler, 51 ... optical transmission line,
52 ... Optical connector 61 ... Concentrated gain amplifier,
62 ... EDF, 63 ... Excitation light source,
64 ... WDM coupler, 71 ... Remote excitation unit,
72 ... EDF, 73 ... first optical circulator,
74 ... second optical circulator, 75 ... BPF,
76: First WDM coupler

Claims (31)

A signal light reflection blocking circuit that transmits light in a wavelength in the reflection blocking band only in a single direction, and transmits light in a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band in both directions.
A signal light input port for inputting signal light;
A signal light output port for outputting the signal light;
It has four terminals from the first to the fourth, from the first terminal to the second terminal, from the second terminal to the third terminal, from the third terminal to the fourth terminal, and from the fourth terminal to the first. An optical circulator that propagates light in the direction of the terminal and blocks light in other directions;
A transmission wavelength selection circuit that transmits only light having a wavelength outside the reflection rejection band among input light and blocks light having a wavelength within the reflection rejection band; and
The signal light input port is connected to a first terminal of the optical circulator;
A second terminal of the optical circulator is connected to the signal light output port;
The output of the third terminal of the optical circulator is input to the transmission wavelength selection circuit,
An output of the transmission wavelength selection circuit is input to a fourth terminal of the four-terminal optical circulator, and one or more reflection blocking bands exist on the wavelength axis.   2. The signal according to claim 1, wherein the transmission wavelength selection circuit includes an interference type optical filter that blocks light having a wavelength within the reflection blocking band and transmits light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band. Light reflection prevention circuit. The transmission wavelength selection circuit includes:
A demultiplexing AWG having one input terminal and a plurality of n output terminals;
A multiplexing AWG having a plurality of n input terminals and one output terminal;
The light input to the transmission wavelength selection circuit is input to the input terminal of the demultiplexing AWG,
N output terminals of the demultiplexing AWG are respectively connected to n input terminals of the multiplexing AWG;
The light output from the output terminal of the multiplexing AWG is the output of the transmission wavelength selection circuit,
From the output terminal of the demultiplexing AWG, only light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band is demultiplexed and output,
2. The signal light reflection blocking circuit according to claim 1, wherein only light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band is combined and output from an output terminal of the multiplexing AWG. A signal light reflection blocking circuit that transmits light in a wavelength in the reflection blocking band only in a single direction, and transmits light in a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band in both directions.
A signal light input port for inputting signal light;
A signal light output port for outputting the signal light;
It has three terminals from the first to third, and propagates light in the direction from the first terminal to the second terminal, from the second terminal to the third terminal, and from the third terminal to the first terminal, An optical circulator that blocks light in other directions,
A reflection wavelength selection circuit that reflects only light having a wavelength outside the reflection stop band of input light and terminates light having a wavelength within the reflection stop band; and
The signal light input port is connected to a first terminal of the optical circulator;
A second terminal of the optical circulator is connected to the signal light output port;
The output of the third terminal of the optical circulator is input to the reflection wavelength selection circuit,
The signal light reflection blocking circuit, wherein one or more reflection blocking bands exist on the wavelength axis. The reflection wavelength selection circuit includes:
An interference optical filter;
A total reflection mirror,
The light input to the reflection wavelength selection circuit is input to the input terminal of the interference optical filter, the output terminal of the interference optical filter is connected to the total reflection mirror,
5. The signal light reflection blocking circuit according to claim 4, wherein the interference type optical filter blocks light having a wavelength within the reflection blocking band and transmits light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band. The reflection wavelength selection circuit includes:
A demultiplexing AWG having one input terminal and a plurality of n output terminals;
A multiplexing AWG having a plurality of n input terminals and one output terminal;
A total reflection mirror,
The light input to the reflection wavelength selection circuit is input to the input terminal of the demultiplexing AWG,
N output terminals of the demultiplexing AWG are respectively connected to n input terminals of the multiplexing AWG;
The output terminal of the multiplexing AWG is connected to the total reflection mirror,
From the output terminal of the demultiplexing AWG, only light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band is demultiplexed and output,
5. The signal light reflection blocking circuit according to claim 4, wherein only light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band is combined and output from an output terminal of the multiplexing AWG. The reflection wavelength selection circuit includes:
Fiber grating,
With an optical termination,
The input of the reflection wavelength selection circuit is input to the input terminal of the fiber grating,
The output terminal of the fiber grating is connected to the optical termination,
5. The signal light reflection blocking circuit according to claim 4, wherein the fiber grating reflects light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band. An optical transmission system having a transmission station that transmits signal light of one or more wavelengths, a reception station that receives the signal light, and a transmission section that connects the transmission station and the reception station,
The transmission section has a configuration in which two or more optical transmission lines and one or more signal light reflection prevention circuits according to any one of claims 1 to 7 are connected in series.
The optical transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the wavelength of the signal light is within the reflection blocking band. An OTDR tester in the transmitting station or the receiving station;
The OTDR signal output from the OTDR tester is wavelength-multiplexed with the signal light and propagates in the same optical transmission section in the same direction as or in the opposite direction to the signal light,
9. The optical transmission system according to claim 8, wherein the wavelength of the OTDR signal is outside the reflection stop band. A supervisory control optical transmitter in the transmitting station or the receiving station;
The supervisory control light output from the supervisory control light transmitter is wavelength-multiplexed with the signal light and propagates through the same optical transmission section in the same direction or the reverse direction with the signal light,
The optical transmission system according to claim 8, wherein a wavelength of the supervisory control light is outside the reflection blocking band.   9. The optical transmission system according to claim 8, wherein the transmission section further includes one or more optical amplification means.   12. The optical transmission system according to claim 11, wherein the optical amplification means is a concentrated gain optical type optical amplifier.   12. The optical transmission system according to claim 11, wherein the optical amplifying means is a distributed amplification type optical amplifier having a gain in the optical transmission line.   12. The optical transmission system according to claim 11, wherein the optical amplifying means is a rare earth element doped fiber that is remotely pumped by pumping light transmitted from the transmitting station or the receiving station.   The optical transmission system according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the wavelength of the excitation light used in the optical amplifying means is outside the antireflection band. It is an irreversible remote excitation unit that transmits light in a wavelength in the reflection stopband only in one direction and transmits light in a wavelength outside the reflection stopband in both directions, and can be excited by forward excitation or backward excitation. And
A signal light input port for inputting signal light;
A signal light output port for outputting the signal light;
It has three terminals from the first to third, and light propagates from the first terminal to the second terminal but does not propagate in the reverse direction, and light travels from the second terminal to the third terminal. First and second optical circulators configured to propagate but not propagate in the reverse direction;
A transmission wavelength selection circuit that transmits only light having a wavelength outside the reflection rejection band among the input light and blocks light having a wavelength within the reflection rejection band; and
A rare earth doped fiber;
Having a shared port, a non-pumping wavelength port, and a pumping wavelength port, and having first and second WDM couplers capable of branching the pumping wavelength of the rare earth doped fiber and other wavelengths,
The signal light input port is connected to a second terminal of the first optical circulator;
A second terminal of the second optical circulator is connected to a non-excitation wavelength port of the first WDM coupler;
A shared port of the first WDM coupler is connected to the signal light output port;
The first terminal of the first optical circulator and the third terminal of the second optical circulator are connected via the transmission wavelength selection circuit,
The third terminal of the first optical circulator and the first terminal of the second optical circulator are the non-excitation of the rare earth doped fiber and the shared port of the second WDM coupler and the second WDM coupler. Are connected by arranging the wavelength ports in tandem,
The excitation wavelength port of the first WDM coupler and the excitation wavelength port of the second WDM coupler are connected to each other;
The pumping light input from the signal light output port reaches the rare earth-doped fiber through the pumping wavelength ports of the first WDM coupler and the second WDM coupler,
The remote excitation unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one reflection stop band exists on a wavelength axis. It is an irreversible remote excitation unit that transmits light in a wavelength in the reflection stopband only in one direction and transmits light in a wavelength outside the reflection stopband in both directions, and can be excited by forward excitation or backward excitation. And
A signal light input port for inputting signal light;
A signal light output port for outputting the signal light;
It has three terminals from the first to third, and light propagates from the first terminal to the second terminal but does not propagate in the reverse direction, and light travels from the second terminal to the third terminal. First and second optical circulators configured to propagate but not propagate in the reverse direction;
A transmission wavelength selection circuit that transmits only light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band among the input light and blocks light having a wavelength within the reflection blocking band; and
A rare earth doped fiber;
Having a shared port, a non-pumping wavelength port, and a pumping wavelength port, and having first and second WDM couplers capable of branching the pumping wavelength of the rare earth doped fiber and other wavelengths,
The signal light input port is connected to a second terminal of the first optical circulator;
A second terminal of the second optical circulator is connected to the signal light output port;
A first terminal of the first optical circulator is connected to the transmission wavelength selection circuit;
The transmission wavelength selection circuit is connected to a non-excitation wavelength port of the first WDM coupler;
A shared port of the first WDM coupler is connected to a third terminal of the second optical circulator;
The third terminal of the first optical circulator and the first terminal of the second optical circulator are the non-excitation of the rare earth doped fiber and the shared port of the second WDM coupler and the second WDM coupler. Are connected by arranging the wavelength ports in tandem,
The excitation wavelength port of the first WDM coupler and the excitation wavelength port of the second WDM coupler are connected to each other;
The pumping light input from the signal light output port reaches the rare earth doped fiber through the third terminal of the second optical circulator and the pumping wavelength ports of the first WDM coupler and the second WDM coupler. ,
The remote excitation unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one reflection stop band exists on a wavelength axis. It is an irreversible remote excitation unit that transmits light in a wavelength in the reflection stopband only in one direction and transmits light in a wavelength outside the reflection stopband in both directions, and can be excited by forward excitation or backward excitation. And
A signal light input port for inputting signal light;
A signal light output port for outputting the signal light;
It has three terminals from the first to third, and light propagates from the first terminal to the second terminal but does not propagate in the reverse direction, and light travels from the second terminal to the third terminal. First and second optical circulators configured to propagate but not propagate in the reverse direction;
A transmission wavelength selection circuit that transmits only light having a wavelength outside the reflection rejection band among the input light and blocks light having a wavelength within the reflection rejection band; and
A rare earth doped fiber;
Having a shared port, a non-pumping wavelength port, and a pumping wavelength port, and having first and second WDM couplers capable of branching the pumping wavelength of the rare earth doped fiber and other wavelengths,
The signal light input port is connected to a second terminal of the first optical circulator;
A second terminal of the second optical circulator is connected to a non-excitation wavelength port of the first WDM coupler;
A shared port of the first WDM coupler is connected to the signal light output port;
The first terminal of the first optical circulator and the third terminal of the second optical circulator are connected via the transmission wavelength selection circuit,
The third terminal of the first optical circulator and the shared port of the second WDM coupler are connected via the rare earth doped fiber,
A non-excitation wavelength port of the second WDM coupler is connected to a first terminal of the second optical circulator;
The excitation wavelength port of the first WDM coupler and the excitation wavelength port of the second WDM coupler are connected to each other;
The pumping light input from the signal light output port reaches the rare earth-doped fiber through the pumping wavelength ports of the first WDM coupler and the second WDM coupler,
The remote excitation unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one reflection stop band exists on a wavelength axis. It is an irreversible remote excitation unit that transmits light in a wavelength in the reflection stopband only in one direction and transmits light in a wavelength outside the reflection stopband in both directions, and can be excited by forward excitation or backward excitation. And
A signal light input port for inputting signal light;
A signal light output port for outputting the signal light;
It has three terminals from the first to third, and light propagates from the first terminal to the second terminal but does not propagate in the reverse direction, and light travels from the second terminal to the third terminal. First and second optical circulators configured to propagate but not propagate in the reverse direction;
A transmission wavelength selection circuit that transmits only light having a wavelength outside the reflection rejection band among the input light and blocks light having a wavelength within the reflection rejection band; and
A rare earth doped fiber;
Having a shared port, a non-pumping wavelength port, and a pumping wavelength port, and having first and second WDM couplers capable of branching the pumping wavelength of the rare earth doped fiber and other wavelengths,
The signal light input port is connected to a second terminal of the first optical circulator;
A second terminal of the second optical circulator is connected to a non-excitation wavelength port of the first WDM coupler;
A shared port of the first WDM coupler is connected to the signal light output port;
The first terminal of the first optical circulator and the third terminal of the second optical circulator are connected via the transmission wavelength selection circuit,
A third terminal of the first optical circulator is connected to a non-excitation wavelength port of the second WDM coupler;
The shared port of the second WDM coupler and the first terminal of the second optical circulator are connected via the rare earth-doped fiber,
The excitation wavelength port of the first WDM coupler and the excitation wavelength port of the second WDM coupler are connected to each other;
The pumping light input from the signal light output port reaches the rare earth-doped fiber through the pumping wavelength ports of the first WDM coupler and the second WDM coupler,
The remote excitation unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one reflection stop band exists on a wavelength axis. It is an irreversible remote excitation unit that transmits light in a wavelength in the reflection stopband only in one direction and transmits light in a wavelength outside the reflection stopband in both directions, and can be excited by forward excitation or backward excitation. And
A signal light input port for inputting signal light;
A signal light output port for outputting the signal light;
It has three terminals from the first to third, and light propagates from the first terminal to the second terminal but does not propagate in the reverse direction, and light travels from the second terminal to the third terminal. First and second optical circulators configured to propagate but not propagate in the reverse direction;
A transmission wavelength selection circuit that transmits only light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band among the input light and blocks light having a wavelength within the reflection blocking band; and
A rare earth doped fiber;
Having a shared port, a non-pumping wavelength port, and a pumping wavelength port, and having first and second WDM couplers capable of branching the pumping wavelength of the rare earth doped fiber and other wavelengths,
The signal light input port is connected to a second terminal of the first optical circulator;
A second terminal of the second optical circulator is connected to the signal light output port;
A first terminal of the first optical circulator is connected to the transmission wavelength selection circuit;
The transmission wavelength selection circuit is connected to a non-excitation wavelength port of the first WDM coupler;
A shared port of the first WDM coupler is connected to a third terminal of the second optical circulator;
The third terminal of the first optical circulator and the shared port of the second WDM coupler are connected via the rare earth doped fiber,
A non-excitation wavelength port of the second WDM coupler is connected to a first terminal of the second optical circulator;
The excitation wavelength port of the first WDM coupler and the excitation wavelength port of the second WDM coupler are connected to each other;
The pumping light input from the signal light output port reaches the rare earth doped fiber through the third terminal of the second optical circulator and the pumping wavelength ports of the first WDM coupler and the second WDM coupler. ,
The remote excitation unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one reflection stop band exists on a wavelength axis. It is an irreversible remote excitation unit that transmits light in a wavelength in the reflection stopband only in one direction and transmits light in a wavelength outside the reflection stopband in both directions, and can be excited by forward excitation or backward excitation. And
A signal light input port for inputting signal light;
A signal light output port for outputting the signal light;
It has three terminals from the first to third, and light propagates from the first terminal to the second terminal but does not propagate in the reverse direction, and light travels from the second terminal to the third terminal. First and second optical circulators configured to propagate but not propagate in the reverse direction;
A transmission wavelength selection circuit that transmits only light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band among the input light and blocks light having a wavelength within the reflection blocking band; and
A rare earth doped fiber;
Having a shared port, a non-pumping wavelength port, and a pumping wavelength port, and having first and second WDM couplers capable of branching the pumping wavelength of the rare earth doped fiber and other wavelengths,
The signal light input port is connected to a second terminal of the first optical circulator;
A second terminal of the second optical circulator is connected to the signal light output port;
A first terminal of the first optical circulator is connected to the transmission wavelength selection circuit;
The transmission wavelength selection circuit is connected to a non-excitation wavelength port of the first WDM coupler;
A shared port of the first WDM coupler is connected to a third terminal of the second optical circulator;
A third terminal of the first optical circulator is connected to a non-excitation wavelength port of the second WDM coupler;
The shared port of the second WDM coupler and the first terminal of the second optical circulator are connected via the rare earth-doped fiber,
The excitation wavelength port of the first WDM coupler and the excitation wavelength port of the second WDM coupler are connected to each other;
The pumping light input from the signal light output port reaches the rare earth doped fiber through the third terminal of the second optical circulator and the pumping wavelength ports of the first WDM coupler and the second WDM coupler. ,
The remote excitation unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one reflection stop band exists on a wavelength axis. The transmission wavelength selection circuit has an interference optical filter,
The remote excitation according to any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein the interference optical filter blocks light having a wavelength within the reflection blocking band and transmits light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band. unit. The transmission wavelength selection circuit includes:
The demultiplexing AWG having one input terminal and a plurality of n output terminals;
The multiplexing AWG having a plurality of n input terminals and one output terminal,
The light input to the transmission wavelength selection circuit is input to the input terminal of the demultiplexing AWG,
N output terminals of the demultiplexing AWG are respectively connected to n input terminals of the multiplexing AWG;
The light output from the output terminal of the multiplexing AWG is the output of the transmission wavelength selection circuit,
From the output terminal of the demultiplexing AWG, only light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band is demultiplexed and output,
The remote excitation unit according to any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein only light having a wavelength outside the reflection blocking band is multiplexed and output from an output terminal of the multiplexing AWG. An optical transmission system having a transmitting station that transmits signal light of one or more wavelengths, a receiving station that receives signal light, and a transmission section that connects the transmitting station and the receiving station,
The transmission section has a configuration in which two or more optical transmission lines and the remote excitation unit according to any one of claims 16 to 23 are connected in a column.
The optical transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the wavelength of the signal light is within the reflection blocking band. An OTDR tester in the transmitting station or the receiving station;
The OTDR signal output from the OTDR tester is wavelength-multiplexed with the signal light and propagates in the same optical transmission section in the same direction as or in the opposite direction to the signal light,
25. The optical transmission system according to claim 24, wherein the wavelength of the OTDR signal is outside the antireflection band. A supervisory control optical transmitter in the transmitting station or the receiving station;
The supervisory control light output from the supervisory control light transmitter is wavelength-multiplexed with the signal light and propagates through the same optical transmission section in the same direction or the reverse direction with the signal light,
The optical transmission system according to claim 24, wherein a wavelength of the supervisory control light is outside the antireflection band. The OTDR tester is located in the receiving station;
The OTDR signal output from the OTDR tester passes through the transmission wavelength selection circuit,
26. The optical transmission system according to claim 25, wherein the OTDR signal reflected in a transmission section connecting the transmitting station and the remote excitation unit is configured to pass through the rare earth doped fiber.   The wavelength of the OTDR signal is a band outside the band of the signal light, and a band where the loss of the rare earth-doped fiber is small when there is no excitation light. The optical transmission system described.   The wavelength band of the OTDR signal is a band in which the maximum value of the difference between the gain of the rare earth-doped fiber in the presence of pumping light and the loss of the rare earth-doped fiber in the absence of pumping light is 10 dB or less. 28. The optical transmission system according to claim 25 or 27.   The wavelength band of the OTDR signal is a band in which the maximum value of the difference between the gain of the rare earth doped fiber in the presence of pumping light and the loss of the rare earth doped fiber in the absence of pumping light is 5 dB or less. 28. The optical transmission system according to claim 25 or 27. The wavelength band of the OTDR signal is a band in which the minimum difference between the gain of the rare earth-doped fiber in the presence of pumping light and the loss of the rare earth-doped fiber in the absence of pumping light is 1 dB or more. 28. The optical transmission system according to claim 25 or 27.

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