JP2006235482A - Optical monitor module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To monitor the transmitting direction of each of light beams of different wavelengths in an optical communication path in which light beams having different wavelengths are propagating in a common optical transmission path along both directions. <P>SOLUTION: The optical monitor module is provided with: a first multi-layered film optical filter which passes a part of incident light beams having a first wavelength to be detected and reflects the rest; a second multi-layered film optical filter which passes a part of incident light beams having a second wavelength to be detected and reflects the rest; a first light receiver which detects whether the light beams made incident on a first port pass the first multi-layered film optical filter or not; a second light receiver which detects whether the light beams made incident on a second port are reflected by the second multi-layered film optical filter and the reflected light beams pass the first multi-layered film optical filter or not; a third light receiver which detects whether the light beams made incident on the second port pass the second multi-layered film optical filter or not; and a fourth light receiver which detects whether the light beams made incident on the first port are reflected by the first multi-layered film optical filter and the reflected light beams pass the second multi-layered film optical filter or not. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical monitor module used for monitoring whether or not a system is operating normally in an optical fiber communication system.

  In an optical fiber communication system, it is necessary to monitor the operation of the system. In such an application, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, light is incident and emitted, and two optical fibers F1 and F2 having a spherical tip are transmitted, and a part of the light is transmitted, but most of the light is reflected. A partially transmissive reflective mirror 204 and a light receiving element 202 that receives light transmitted from the partially transmissive reflective mirror 204 are provided, and the angle θ formed between the optical axis directions of the tip spherical optical fibers F1 and F2 is 30 ° or less. Thus, an optical monitor has been proposed in which two light receiving elements 202 are used to monitor the light incident / exit directions in each optical fiber (Patent Document 1).

As another example of the prior art, a branch film 20 is disposed at the junction of optical fibers F1 and F2 shown in FIG. 11, and most of the light transmitted through the optical fibers F1 and F2 passes through the branch film 20 to the other optical fiber. A part of the light is reflected by the branch film 20. The reflected light of the light transmitted from the optical fiber F1 side is detected by the light receiving element 21A, and the reflected light of the light transmitted from the optical fiber F2 side is received by the light receiving element 21B. The intensity of the light received by the light receiving elements 21A and 21B is compared by the level comparison circuit shown in FIG. 12, and the light transmission diode 22A or 22B corresponding to the light receiving element on the side where strong reflected light is detected emits light. An optical monitor that displays the direction has also been proposed (Patent Document 2).
JP 2004-62144 A JP 2002-214487 A

In the conventional technology described above, in the optical fiber communication system, when performing optical communication using light of a plurality of wavelengths simultaneously with a single optical fiber, the direction of light incident / exiting one wavelength is detected, Although it is possible to monitor, other wavelengths have the disadvantage that they cannot detect and monitor the direction of incoming and outgoing light.
An object of the present invention is to detect and monitor the propagation direction of light of all wavelengths when performing optical fiber communication at different wavelengths simultaneously with a single optical fiber in an optical fiber communication system. It is intended to provide a monitor module.

The means for solving the problem and the function thereof will be described below with reference to FIGS.
In the first embodiment of the present invention, the optical axis of the light incident on the first port 1A is disposed at a position where the optical axes obliquely intersect, and a part of the incident light having the first detection target wavelength λ1 is transmitted. The first multilayer optical filter 3A that reflects the remaining light and reflects all other wavelengths, and the optical axis of the light incident on the second port 1B are arranged at a position where the optical axis obliquely intersects, and the second detection target wavelength λ2 A second multilayer optical filter 3B that transmits a part of incident light having a wavelength, reflects the rest and reflects all other wavelengths, and the optical axis of the light incident on the first port 1A. The first light receiver 4B that is disposed and detects whether a part of the light incident on the first port 1A passes through the first multilayer optical filter 3A, and the light incident on the second port 1B is the first The second multilayer optical filter 3B is reflected on the optical axis of the reflected light, and the second multilayer On the optical axis of the light incident on the second light receiver 4A for detecting whether a part of the reflected light reflected by the film light filter 3B passes through the first multilayer light filter 3A and the second port 1B A third light receiver 4C that is disposed and detects whether a part of the light incident from the second port 1B passes through the second multilayer optical filter 3B, and the light incident on the first port is the first Whether or not part of the reflected light reflected by the multilayer optical filter 3A and disposed on the optical axis of the reflected light and reflected by the first multilayer optical filter 3A passes through the second multilayer optical filter 3B. An optical monitor module including a fourth light receiver 4D for detection is proposed.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the first multilayer optical filter 3A and the second multilayer optical filter 3B are formed on two adjacent surfaces of a prism that form a relative angle of 90 degrees with each other. The first port 1A and the second port 1B propose an optical monitor module in which two parallel optical paths are arranged side by side in the same direction.
In the third embodiment of the present invention, the first multilayer optical filter 3A and the second multilayer optical filter 3B are respectively formed on two transparent plates that are arranged with a relative angle of approximately 90 degrees between the plate surfaces. Proposed is an optical monitor module in which the first port 1A and the second port 1B are formed with two parallel optical paths arranged side by side in the same direction.

In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, each of the first port 1A and the second port 1B is composed of two optical receptacles that can receive the connection of the optical connectors, respectively, and the first and second multilayer optical filters, respectively. An optical monitor module is proposed that includes optical collimating lenses 2A and 2B, respectively, between 3A and 3B.
In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, each of the first port and the second port is composed of two end portions of optical fibers that are positioned and fixed in the V-groove on the substrate, respectively, and the first and second ports respectively. An optical monitor module is proposed that includes optical collimating lenses 2A and 2B between the multilayer optical filters 3A and 3B, respectively.
The sixth embodiment of the present invention also proposes a configuration in which optical monitor modules each including a first multilayer optical filter and a second multilayer optical filter having different detection target wavelengths are connected in cascade.

Effect according to the present invention, according to the configuration of the optical monitor module, when the first light receiver 4B detects the transmitted light from the first multilayer film optical filter 3A, detecting the presence of light having a first detection target wavelength λ1 Further, it can be seen that the propagation direction is the direction from the first port 1A to the second port 1B (FIG. 1).

Further, when the second light receiver 4A detects the transmitted light from the first multilayer optical filter 3A, the presence of light having the first detection target wavelength λ1 is detected, and the propagation direction thereof is from the second port 1B to the second port 1B. It can be seen that the direction is toward 1 port 1A (FIG. 2).
On the other hand, when the third light receiver 4C detects the transmitted light from the second multilayer optical filter 3B, the presence of the light having the second detection target wavelength λ2 is detected, and the propagation direction is the second port 1B through the second port 1B. It can be seen that the direction is toward 1 port 1A (FIG. 3).
4 When the light receiver 4D detects the transmitted light from the second multilayer optical filter 3B, it detects the presence of light having the second detection target wavelength λ2, and the propagation direction of the light is from the first port 1A to the second. It can be seen that the direction is toward the port 1B (FIG. 4).

Therefore, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to monitor the presence and the propagation direction of at least two lights having different wavelengths propagating through the same optical propagation path.
Furthermore, according to the second and third embodiments of the present invention, the angle formed by the first and second multilayer optical filters 3A and 3B can be configured at various angles, particularly in the vicinity of 90 °. By setting, the first port 1A and the second port 1B to which the module of the present invention should be connected to the optical system can be arranged side by side, which is effective for downsizing of the apparatus.
Further, by forming the first multilayer optical filter 3A and the second multilayer optical filter 3B on a prism or a transparent plate arranged orthogonally, the first port 1A and the second port 1B can be connected to one side with a small number of parts. It can be provided adjacent to the substrate, and a compact and convenient form for connection to the optical system can be obtained. In particular, when the first port 1A and the second port 1B are configured by optical receptacles as proposed in the fourth embodiment, the convenience of attachment / detachment is achieved by using a two-core optical connector and a receptacle that are linked to each port. Can be planned.

In addition, although any type of optical collimating lens used in Embodiments 4 and 5 of the present invention may be used, a lens array in which a ball lens or two convex lenses described later in the example are integrated at a predetermined interval, Furthermore, a cylindrical GRIN lens can also be used.
Furthermore, according to the sixth embodiment, it is possible to monitor the propagation direction of each wavelength corresponding to multiplex transmission of any number of wavelengths.

  The first port 1A and the second port 1B are arranged side by side on the support substrate. The first multilayer optical filter 3A is disposed at a position that intersects the optical axis of the light incident on the first port at an angle of about 45 °. Further, the second multilayer optical filter 3B is disposed at a position that intersects with the optical axis of the light incident on the second port 1B at an angle of about 45 °. The first multilayer optical filter 3A and the second multilayer optical filter 3B are appropriately selected with respect to the material, thickness, etc. of the film, partially transmit with respect to the wavelength to be detected and reflect the rest, and all other wavelengths are reflected. The reflection characteristic is set (this technique is conventionally known).

The first light receiver 4B is disposed on the optical axis of the light incident on the first port. The light incident on the second port is reflected by the second multilayer optical filter 3B, and the second light receiver 4A is disposed on the optical axis of the reflected light.
Further, the third light receiver 4C is arranged on the optical axis of the light incident from the second port 1B, the light incident from the first port 1A is reflected by the first multilayer optical filter 3A, and the light of the reflected light is reflected. A fourth light receiver 4D is arranged on the axis.
As described above, by arranging the first light receiver 4A to the fourth light receiver 4D with respect to the first multilayer optical filter 3A and the second multilayer optical filter 3B, the first light receiver 4B becomes the first multilayer optical filter. When the transmitted light is received from 3A, the light is light having a wavelength to be detected by the first multilayer optical filter 3A, and the propagation direction is the direction from the first port 1A to the second port 1B. I understand.

Further, when the second light receiver 4A detects the transmitted light from the first multilayer optical filter 3A, the light is light having a wavelength to be detected by the first multilayer optical filter 3A, and It can be seen that the propagation direction is the direction from the second port 1B to the first port 1A.
Further, when the third light receiver 4C detects the transmitted light from the second multilayer optical filter 3B, the light has a wavelength to be detected by the second multilayer optical filter 3B and the propagation direction is the first. It can be seen that the direction is from the 2 port 1B to the first port 1A.
Further, when the fourth light receiver 4D detects the transmitted light from the second multilayer optical filter 3B, the light has a wavelength to be detected by the second multilayer optical filter 3B and the propagation direction thereof. Is the direction from the first port 1A to the second port 1B.

  In this way, the presence of two wavelengths of light and the propagation directions thereof can be constantly monitored.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an optical monitor module according to the present invention. In this embodiment, an amplifier 7, an AD converter 8, an arithmetic unit 9, and a display unit 10 are added to the configuration of the optical monitor module according to the present invention, and two wavelengths λ1 and λ2 different between the units 11 and 12 are integrated. An embodiment of an optical monitor module 100 configured to monitor an optical transmission line that transmits light through optical fibers F1 and F2 is shown.
Here, the wavelength of light transmitted from the device 11 to the device 12 is λ1, and the wavelength of light transmitted from the device 12 to the device 11 is λ2. Further, optical receptacles are used as the first port 1A and the second port 1B, and optical connectors 6A and 6B connected to the optical fibers F1 and F2 are attached to the optical receptacle, and the device 11 and the optical fiber are connected through the optical connectors 6A and 6B. The case where it is set as the structure which connects the optical transmission path between the monitor module 100 and the apparatus 12 is shown.

  The first port 1A, the second port 1B, the lenses 2A and 2B, the optical block 5, the first light receiver 4A to the fourth light receiver 4D, the amplifier 7, the AD converter 8, the arithmetic device 9, and the display device 10 are support substrates, respectively. 14 is supported. The optical block 5 uses, for example, a low refractive index cryolite or a fluorine polymer having a refractive index n of light smaller than n = 1.34. When a material having a refractive index n of n> 1.41 is used, all light incident on the surface at 45 ° is reflected regardless of the presence or absence of the multilayer optical filters 3A and 3B, and the outside of the optical block 5 Does not exit. 1 to 4 show a state in which the optical axis of the light emitted from the optical block 5 is refracted in the direction along the surface of the optical block 5, this is a state of the medium propagating from the optical block 5 to the air. It represents the refraction caused by the difference.

  The optical connector 6A provided in the terminal of the optical fiber F1 is connected to the first port 1A of the optical monitor module 100, and the optical connector 6B provided in the optical fiber F2 is connected to the second port 1B of the optical monitor module 100. The light of wavelength λ1 that is optically transmitted from the device 11 to the device 12 passes through the optical fiber F1, passes through the optical connector 6A, passes through the first port 1A of the optical monitor module 100, passes through the lens 2A, and passes through the first multilayer optical filter 3A. To reach. The light reaching the first multilayer optical filter 3A is branched into light traveling toward the first light receiver 4B and light traveling toward the second multilayer optical filter 3B due to the characteristics of the first multilayer optical filter 3A. The light directed to the first light receiver 4B is converted from light to an electrical signal by the first light receiver 4B, the signal is amplified by the amplifier 7, digitized by the AD converter 8, and another light receiver 4A is obtained by the arithmetic unit 9. 4C and 4D are checked against the presence or absence of signals, and it is confirmed that there is no signal from the other light receivers, particularly the light receiver 4A. Light of wavelength λ1 is incident from the first port 1A, and the second port 1B Is displayed on the display device 10. At the same time, the light reflected by the first multilayer optical filter 3A and directed toward the second multilayer optical filter 3B is also reflected by the second multilayer optical filter 3B, and is transmitted through the lens 2B, the second port 1B, and the optical fiber F2. 12 is transmitted.

  The light of wavelength λ2 that is optically transmitted from the device 12 to the device 11 passes through the optical fiber F2, the connector 6B, the optical receptacle constituting the second port 1B, and the lens 2B, and enters the second multilayer optical filter 3B. The second multilayer optical filter 3B transmits a part of the light with the wavelength λ2, and reflects the other remainder. As a result, a part is directed toward the third light receiver 4C, and the other is reflected toward the first multilayer optical filter 3A. The light directed to the third light receiver 4C is converted into an electric signal by the third light receiver 4C. The converted electric signal is amplified by the amplifier 7, AD converted by the AD converter 8, and the digital signal is input to the arithmetic unit 9. The arithmetic unit 9 confirms that there is no signal from other light receivers, particularly the fourth light receiver 4D, and light is received only by the third light receiver 4C, so that light of wavelength λ2 is transmitted from the second port 1B. It is determined that the light is incident and propagated toward the first port 1 </ b> A, and is displayed on the display device 10. At the same time, the light of wavelength λ2 reflected by the second multilayer optical filter 3B is also reflected by the first multilayer optical filter 3A and transmitted to the device 11 through the lens 2A, the first port 1A, the optical connector 6A, and the optical fiber F1. The

Here, the operation when the optical connector 6A is connected to the second port 1B and the optical connector 6B is connected to the first port 1A will be described.
The light of wavelength λ1 transmitted from the device 11 enters the second multilayer optical filter 3B through the optical fiber F1, the optical connector 6A, the second port 1B, and the lens 2B. The second multilayer optical filter 3B totally reflects the light of wavelength λ1 and makes it incident on the first multilayer optical fiber 3A. Part of the first multilayer optical filter 3A is transmitted, and the transmitted light is received by the second light receiver 4A. The arithmetic unit 10 knows that the second light receiver 4A has detected the received light, determines that the light having the wavelength λ1 is incident from the second port 1B, and causes the display unit 10 to display the state. At the same time, the light reflected by the first multilayer optical filter 3A is transmitted to the device 12 through the lens 2A, the first port 1A, the optical connector 6B, and the optical fiber F2.

  The light of wavelength λ2 transmitted from the device 12 enters the first multilayer optical filter 3A through the optical fiber F2, the optical connector 6B, the first port 1A, and the lens 2A. Since the first multilayer optical filter 3A reflects all of the light with the wavelength λ2, all the incident light with the wavelength λ2 is reflected by the second multilayer optical filter 3B. Since the second multilayer optical filter 3B transmits part of the light with the wavelength λ2, in this case, the transmitted light is input to the fourth light receiver 4D, and the fourth light receiver 4D outputs an electric signal. To do. Based on this electrical signal, the arithmetic unit 9 determines that light of wavelength λ2 is incident from the first port A, and displays the determination result on the display device 10.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the display device. The indicator is sorted into wavelengths λ1 and λ2, and light of these two wavelengths λ1 and λ2 is propagating from the first port 1A to the second port 1B, and from the second port 1B to the first port 1A. The case where it has comprised so that the state which is propagating may each be displayed by lighting of light emitting element LED1-LED4 is shown. That is, when the LED 1 is turned on, a state in which light having the wavelength λ1 is propagating from the first port 1A toward the second port 1B is displayed. When the LED is turned on, a state in which light having a wavelength λ1 is propagating from the second port 1B toward the first port 1A is displayed. Further, when the LED 3 is turned on, a state in which the light with the wavelength λ2 is propagating from the first port 1A to the second port 1B is displayed. When the LED 4 is turned on, the light with the wavelength λ2 is transmitted from the second port 1B. The state of propagation to 1 port 1A is displayed.

  Accordingly, it is possible to display the presence of light of wavelengths λ1 and λ2 and the propagation direction thereof by the combination of lighting of the light emitting elements LED to LED4.

  FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, two optical fiber supporting V grooves 15A and 15B whose axes are parallel to each other are formed on the support substrate 14, and the optical fibers F1 and F2 are positioned in the optical fiber supporting V grooves 15A and 15B. And fix. Further, the lenses 2A and 2B are arranged to face the end faces of the optical fibers F1 and F2, and light is incident on the optical block 5 through the lenses 2A and 2B. Accordingly, the first port 1A is configured by the optical fiber support V-groove 15A and the optical fiber F1, and the second port 1B is configured by the optical fiber support V-groove 15B and the optical fiber F2. The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 shows a case where a ball lens is used. In the second embodiment, the first light receiver 4A to the fourth light receiver 4D are shown as using sealed light receiving elements. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the sealed type, and chip-type light receiving elements are used. You can also. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, further detailed description is omitted here.

  FIG. 8 shows Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the case where the lenses 2A and 2B are integrated in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is shown. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first multilayer optical filter 3A and the second multilayer optical filter 3B are formed on the transparent plate 17, and the transparent plate 17 is supported and arranged in a posture that is substantially 90 ° crossed. Show. Also when comprised in this way, the effect similar to the above can be acquired.

  FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment corresponds to the embodiment of the optical monitor module proposed in claim 6. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, two sets of optical monitor modules 101 and 102 are mounted on a support substrate 14, and the first multilayer optical filter 3A and the second multilayer optical filter 3B used in each of the optical monitor modules 101 and 102. By making the detection target wavelengths of λ1 and λ2 and λ3 and λ4 different from each other, it is possible to monitor the presence and propagation direction of light of wavelengths λ1 and λ2, and λ3 and λ4. Although FIG. 9 shows an example in which two sets of optical monitor modules 101 and 102 are configured on a common support substrate 14, it can be easily understood that the number of sets is not particularly limited. In addition, a plurality of optical monitor modules 100 having different detection wavelengths may be prepared with the configuration shown in FIG. 5, and the plurality of optical monitor modules 100 may be connected in cascade using optical fibers.

  The optical monitor module according to the present invention is utilized in the field of optical communication.

The layout for demonstrating the component of this invention and its operation | movement. The same layout view as FIG. The same layout view as FIG. The same layout view as FIG. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The layout for demonstrating Example 1 of this invention. The figure for demonstrating the display apparatus used for the Example shown in FIG. The layout for demonstrating Example 2 of this invention. The layout for demonstrating Example 3 of this invention. The layout for demonstrating Example 4 of this invention. The layout for demonstrating the prior art. Sectional drawing for demonstrating the other example of a prior art. FIG. 12 is a connection diagram for explaining a configuration of a display device used in the conventional technique shown in FIG. 11.

Explanation of symbols

1A 1st port 4A 2nd light receiver
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1B 2nd port 4B 1st light receiver F1, F2 Optical fiber 4C 3rd light receiver 2A, 2B Lens 4D 4th light receiver 3A 1st multilayer optical filter 5 Optical block 3B 2nd multilayer optical filter

Claims (6)

The optical axis of the light incident on the first port is arranged at a position where the optical axes obliquely intersect with each other, and a part of the incident light having the first detection target wavelength is transmitted and the rest is reflected, and all other wavelengths of light are reflected. A first multilayer optical filter to be reflected;
The optical axis of the light incident on the second port is arranged at a position where the optical axes obliquely intersect with each other, and part of the incident light having the second detection target wavelength is transmitted, the rest is reflected, and light of other wavelengths is reflected. A second multilayer optical filter that reflects all;
A first light receiver that is disposed on the optical axis of light incident on the first port and detects whether a part of the light incident on the first port passes through the first multilayer optical filter. When,
The light incident on the second port is reflected by the second multilayer optical filter, arranged on the optical axis of the reflected light, and part of the reflected light reflected by the second multilayer optical filter is the first multilayer optical filter. A second light receiver for detecting whether or not the light passes through one multilayer optical filter;
A third light receiver that is disposed on the optical axis of the light incident on the second port and detects whether a part of the light incident from the second port passes through the second multilayer optical filter. When,
The light incident on the first port is reflected by the first multilayer optical filter, arranged on the optical axis of the reflected light, and part of the reflected light reflected by the first multilayer optical filter is the first multilayer optical filter. A fourth light receiver for detecting whether or not to pass through the two multilayer optical filter;
An optical monitor module comprising:   The first multilayer optical filter and the second multilayer optical filter are formed on each of two adjacent surfaces of a prism that form a relative angle of 90 degrees with each other. 2. The optical monitor module according to claim 1, wherein the two ports constitute two parallel optical paths arranged side by side in the same direction.   The first multilayer optical filter and the second multilayer optical filter are respectively formed on two transparent plates that are disposed with a relative angle of approximately 90 degrees between the plate surfaces, and the first port and 2. The optical monitor module according to claim 1, wherein two parallel optical paths are arranged adjacent to each other in the same direction as the second port.   The first port and the second port are each composed of two optical receptacles that can be connected to an optical connector, and an optical collimate is provided between each of the first port and the second multilayer optical filter. The optical monitor module according to claim 1, further comprising a lens for use.   The first port and the second port are each composed of two optical fiber ends positioned and fixed in a V-groove on the substrate, and between each of the first and second multilayer optical filters. The optical monitor module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a lens for optical collimation. n is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and the optical monitor modules according to any one of claims 1 to 5 are connected in order of n ports in a column, and 2n optical wavelengths different from each other are monitored. An optical monitor module characterized by that.

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