JP2012002571A - Device for measuring optical fiber transmission property - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for measuring optical fiber transmission properties which can selectively set an optical signal source function into a disabled state, as needed, and can temporarily release the disabled state according to a predetermined condition.SOLUTION: A device for measuring optical fiber transmission properties having an optical signal source function for outputting an optical signal to an optical fiber and an optical power measurement function for measuring the intensity of the optical signal input by the optical fiber includes: function restriction means for selectively setting the optical signal source function into a disabled state; and temporary release means for temporarily releasing the disabled state of the optical signal source function set by the function restriction means.

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical fiber transmission characteristic measuring apparatus, and more particularly to management of a measurement function.

  Along with the recent expansion of optical fiber networks to ordinary homes due to FTTH (Fiber To The Home), the optical fiber transmission characteristic measuring device that measures the transmission characteristics of optical fibers is also portable and small in size. High-precision distance measurement resolution from a relatively long-distance backbone optical fiber network to a relatively short-distance FTTH-based optical fiber network and a hot-line measurement function that does not affect optical transmission are required. Is also expanding from skilled to beginners.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a conventional optical fiber transmission characteristic measuring apparatus. In FIG. 6, the entire measurement apparatus is largely composed of an operation control unit 10, a sequence control unit 20, and a measurement unit 30.

  The operation control unit 10 includes switches, soft keys, and the like for an operator who performs measurement work to set and input various measurement conditions.

  The sequence control unit 20 controls each unit so that the measurement unit 30 performs a predetermined operation according to the measurement purpose based on the measurement conditions set and input by the operation control unit 10.

  The measurement unit 30 is configured to perform OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometry) measurement. That is, the clock generator 31 outputs a clock as a timing signal to the pulse generator 32 and the A / D converter 36. The laser diode 33 is driven by the output pulse of the pulse generator 32 to emit predetermined pulsed light, and this pulsed light is incident on one end of the measured optical fiber FB via the optical coupler 34 and the port P1.

  Rayleigh scattering occurs inside the optical fiber FB, and part of it becomes backscattered light traveling in the direction opposite to the progress of the pulsed light and returns to the optical coupler 34. Further, the Fresnel reflected light generated at the connection point also returns to the optical coupler 32.

  The reflected light that has returned to the optical coupler 34 enters the light receiving unit 35, is converted into an electrical signal, and is input to the A / D converter 36. The A / D converter 36 converts the output signal of the light receiving unit 35 into a digital signal at the timing of the output pulse of the clock generation unit 31. Since the signal level of the reflected light is very weak, the averaging unit 37 obtains the average of the measurement values by repeating a plurality of measurements and reduces noise. These measurement results are displayed on the display unit 38.

  According to the measurement unit 30 configured as described above, the connection loss, the return loss, the distance to the reflection point, and the like of the optical fiber FB can be measured.

  Further, the measuring apparatus of FIG. 6 uses an optical signal source that outputs an optical signal to the optical fiber FB by using a part of functions for performing OTDR measurement, or an optical signal input through the optical fiber FB. It can also be used as an optical wattmeter for measuring the intensity of light.

  When used as an optical signal source, the optical fiber FB is connected to the port P1 similarly to the OTDR measurement, and the pulsed light output from the laser diode 33 is supplied to the optical fiber FB via the optical coupler 34.

  When used as an optical power meter, an optical fiber FB is connected to the port P2, and an optical signal input via the optical fiber FB is directly given to the light receiving unit 35.

  Non-Patent Document 1 describes a technology related to a commercialized optical fiber transmission characteristic measuring device.

“New OTDR AQ7260 Series for Installation and Maintenance of Optical Fiber”, Yokogawa Technical Report, Yokogawa Electric Corporation, April 20, 2005, Vol. 49 No. 2, p. 55-58

  By the way, depending on the measurement site of an optical fiber, it may be prohibited to bring a measuring device having a light emitting function in a state where light emission can be output. Therefore, in the conventional measuring apparatus, for example, a lid with a key is attached to the opening of the port P1 from which the optical signal of the optical signal source is output, and the opening is closed with the lid, so that the optical signal source is accidentally driven. Also, measures are taken so that the optical signal from the optical signal source is not output to the outside.

  However, the measure of attaching a lid with a key to the opening of the port P1 from which the optical signal is output and closing the opening with the lid increases the number of parts and complicates the structure around the port P1. is there.

  The present invention pays attention to such a conventional problem, and its purpose is to selectively set the optical signal source function to an inoperable state as necessary and to inoperate based on a predetermined condition. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber transmission characteristic measuring device capable of temporarily releasing the state.

The invention of claim 1 which achieves such a problem,
In an optical fiber transmission characteristic measuring device having an optical signal source function for outputting an optical signal to an optical fiber and an optical power measuring function for measuring the intensity of an optical signal input via the optical fiber,
Function limiting means for selectively setting the optical signal source function to an inoperable state; and
Temporary release means for temporarily releasing the inoperable state of the optical signal source function set by the function restriction means,
Is provided.

The invention of claim 2 is the optical fiber transmission characteristic measuring device according to claim 1,
The function restriction by the function restriction means is set based on a management authority registered in advance.

The invention of claim 3 is the optical fiber transmission characteristic measuring device according to claim 1 or 2,
The temporary canceling means temporarily cancels the inoperable state of the optical signal source function by inputting pre-registered authentication information.

  As a result, the optical signal source function in the optical fiber transmission characteristic measuring device can be selectively set to an inoperable state as needed, and the inoperable state can be temporarily canceled based on a predetermined condition. By setting the function to an inoperable state, it is possible to bring the measuring device into the carry-in prohibited area in a state where the optical signal source function can emit light.

It is a block diagram which shows one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of operation | movement of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of operation | movement of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of operation | movement of FIG. It is a specific example figure of the screen which selects and sets the operation restriction method. It is a block diagram which shows the example of schematic structure of the conventional optical fiber transmission characteristic measuring apparatus.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and the same reference numerals are given to portions common to FIG. The difference between FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 is that, in FIG. 1, the operation control unit 10 is provided with a function restriction setting unit 11, a temporary release unit 12, and an authentication unit 13.

  The function restriction setting unit 11 selectively restricts the output function of the pulsed light from the laser diode 33 to an inoperable state as necessary. This function restriction setting is performed based on management authority registered in advance. When this function restriction is set, the sequence control unit 20 forcibly turns off the power supply to the laser diode 33.

  By setting the optical signal source function to the inoperable state in this way, it is possible to realize bringing-in of the optical fiber transmission characteristic measuring device into the carry-in prohibited area in a state where the optical signal source function can emit and output light.

  The temporary release unit 12 temporarily releases the inoperable state of the optical signal source function set by the function restriction setting unit 11. The temporary release of the inoperable state of the optical signal source function is executed by inputting authentication information registered in advance.

  As the authentication information, a personal identification code specific to an operator designated by an administrator who has management authority to set a function restriction, or biometric information specific to the operator such as a fingerprint, vein, or iris is used.

  The authentication unit 13 performs authentication management of an administrator who has management authority for setting the function restriction by the function restriction setting unit 11 and authentication management of an operator who requests temporary release of the inoperable state of the optical signal source function in the temporary release unit 12. I do.

  FIG. 2 is a timing chart for explaining the operation flow of the entire apparatus of FIG. When the power is turned on, the information set at the time of the previous power-off is restored (step S1), and an operation waiting state waiting for an operation input from the operation control unit 10 is entered (step S2).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the setting information has been changed (step S3). When the setting information is changed, the setting information is changed (step S4), the process returns to the operation waiting state of step S2, and if the setting information is not changed, it is determined whether or not the measurement start key is operated (step S5).

  When the measurement start key is operated, a measurement process is executed (step S6).

  When the series of measurement processes is completed, a drawing process for displaying the measurement results on the display unit 38 is executed (step S7), and the process returns to the operation waiting state in step S2.

  FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining an operation flow when the apparatus of FIG. 1 is used as a light source, and is configured so that the light emission operation for causing the light source to emit light can be arbitrarily set to be inoperable based on the management authority. An example is shown.

  First, from the operation waiting state, it is determined whether or not the light emission operation restriction setting has been changed based on the management authority (step S1). At this time, the security level can be increased by performing authentication of the management authority, but may be omitted if the administrator having the management authority determines that the authentication process is troublesome. When the limit setting is changed, the setting information is changed (step S2), and the process returns to step S1. If the limit setting is not changed, it is determined whether or not the light emission start key is operated (step S3).

  When the light emission start key is operated, it is determined whether or not the light emission operation is restricted (step S4). If it is determined that the light emission operation limit is set, a dialog prompting the operator to input, for example, a password as authentication information is displayed (step S5).

  When the password is input, it is determined whether or not the password matches the authentication information registered in advance (step S6).

  If it is determined that the input password matches the authentication information registered in advance and is correct, the restricted inoperable state is temporarily canceled and the light emission process is executed (step S7). If the light emission operation limit is not set in step S4, the light emission process is executed immediately after skipping steps S5 and S6.

  If the input password does not match the pre-registered authentication information, the process returns to step 1 and the light emission process is not executed unless the correct password is input, and functions to maintain the light emission operation in an inoperable state. Note that the number of password attempts may be limited as necessary.

  FIG. 4 is also a timing chart for explaining the flow of operations when the apparatus of FIG. 1 is used as a light source, and shows an example in which the light emission operation restriction is always set to be effective.

  In the operation waiting state, it is determined whether or not the light emission start key is operated (step S1). If it is determined that the light emission start key has been operated, for example, a dialog prompting the user to input a password is displayed as authentication information (step S2).

  When the password is input, it is determined whether or not the password matches the authentication information registered in advance (step S3).

  If it is determined that the input password matches the authentication information registered in advance and is correct, the restricted inoperable state is temporarily canceled and the light emission process is executed (step S4).

  If the input password does not match the pre-registered authentication information, the process returns to step 1 as in FIG. 3, and the light emission process is not executed unless the correct password is input, and the light emission operation is maintained in an inoperable state. To function.

  By configuring in this way, the optical signal source function in the optical fiber transmission characteristic measuring device can be selectively set to an inoperable state as needed, and the inoperable state can be temporarily released. By setting the function to the inoperable state, it is possible to bring the measuring device into the carry-in prohibited area in a state where the optical signal source function can emit and output light.

  Note that the above-described operation restriction based on the authentication information has an effect of preventing an erroneous operation, but has a problem of increasing the number of operation procedures of the operator. As a solution, as described below, the timing for requesting input of authentication information may be selected based on, for example, management authority.

FIG. 5 is a specific example of a screen for selecting and setting an operation restriction method. According to the screen of FIG. 5, about the input of a personal identification number as authentication information,
a) Always ask for input b) Ask for input only for the first time after power-on c) Select not to do input.

a) A case where the user always wants to input a personal identification number In the case of an operation that also affects the human body such as laser light emission, it is desirable to request the personal identification number every time the operation is executed.

b) Prompt for input only once for the first time after turning on the power For example, in a handheld portable measuring instrument, if it can be confirmed that the operator has administrative authority, the subsequent operations are used based on the administrative authority. You may think. In such a case, it is only necessary to check the management authority only once for the first time and not to perform a redundant check from the next time.

c) No input The initial settings of the product are the above-mentioned restrictions a) and b), but if the user feels bothersome, operate them by removing those restrictions based on administrative authority. Be able to simplify the procedure.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an optical fiber transmission capable of selectively setting an optical signal source function to an inoperable state as needed and temporarily releasing the inoperable state based on a predetermined condition. A characteristic measuring device can be realized, and even when a measuring device having a light emitting function is prohibited from being brought in a state capable of emitting light, it can be brought in appropriately.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Operation control part 11 Function restriction setting part 12 Temporary cancellation | release part 13 Authentication part 20 Sequence control part 30 Measurement part FB Optical fiber

Claims (3)

In an optical fiber transmission characteristic measuring device having an optical signal source function for outputting an optical signal to an optical fiber and an optical power measuring function for measuring the intensity of an optical signal input via the optical fiber,
Function limiting means for selectively setting the optical signal source function to an inoperable state; and
Temporary release means for temporarily releasing the inoperable state of the optical signal source function set by the function restriction means,
An optical fiber transmission characteristic measuring apparatus comprising:   2. The optical fiber transmission characteristic measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the function restriction by the function restriction unit is set based on management authority registered in advance.   3. The light according to claim 1, wherein the temporary canceling unit temporarily cancels the inoperable state of the optical signal source function by inputting authentication information registered in advance. Fiber transmission characteristic measuring device.

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