JP7361206B2 - Optical signal attenuator and optical signal transmission system - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure claims priority based on the Chinese utility model application whose application number is 202020444531.0 and whose filing date is March 31, 2020. is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to the field of optical communications, and more particularly to optical signal attenuators and optical signal transmission systems.

Optical signal attenuator is one of the important components of optical fiber communication systems, and is mainly used to reduce or control optical signals and realize power balance between different communication channels. In an optical signal transmission system, the optical characteristics of each optical device change in response to changes in temperature, so it is necessary to adjust the attenuation strength of an optical signal attenuator in accordance with changes in temperature. Here, the attenuation intensity of the optical signal attenuator means the difference in intensity between the signal before passing through the optical signal attenuator and the intensity of the optical signal after passing through the optical signal attenuator.

The related optical signal attenuator realizes the adjustment of the attenuation strength of the optical signal attenuator by a temperature sensor and an actuator, and such an optical signal attenuator needs to consume external energy.

The present disclosure provides an optical signal attenuator and an optical signal transmission system that can automatically adjust the attenuation strength of the optical signal attenuator in response to changes in temperature without consuming external energy.

An embodiment of the present disclosure includes an optical signal path provided with an accommodation space, an attenuation element that is at least partially located in the accommodation space and absorbs a part of the optical signal in the optical signal path, and an attenuation element that absorbs a part of the optical signal in the optical signal path. a deformable element connected to the attenuator and deformable according to temperature so as to displace the attenuator, the displacement direction of the attenuator and the extending direction of the optical signal path forming a predetermined angle; Provide a signal attenuator.

The optical signal attenuator further includes a fixing member, one end of the deformable element is fixedly connected to the fixing member along the extending direction of the deformable element, and the other end of the deformable element is connected to the fixed member. It is connected to an attenuation element, and the extending direction of the deformable element and the extending direction of the optical signal path form the predetermined angle.

Further, the optical signal attenuator includes a fixed member, a first connecting member connected to the fixed member and connected to the deformable element, and a first connecting member connected to the fixed member and connected to the deformable element. further comprising a second connection member, the first connection member and the second connection member are provided along the extending direction of the deformation element, and the deformation element and the damping element are connected. The position is located between the first connecting member and the second connecting member.

Further, the first connecting member and the second connecting member are separated by a predetermined distance along the extending direction of the deformable element.

Further, the distance between the first connection member and the second connection member is greater than or equal to a minimum distance, and the minimum distance is

であり、ここで、Ｌ_ｍｉｎは前記最小間隔であり、Ｅは前記変形素子の弾性率であり、Ｉは前記変形素子の慣性モーメントであり、Ｐ_ｍｉｎは最小圧縮応力であり、前記最小圧縮応力は、前記変形素子を湾曲させることができる圧縮応力の最小値である。

, where L _min is the minimum spacing, E is the elastic modulus of the deformation element, I is the moment of inertia of the deformation element, P _min is the minimum compressive stress, and the minimum compressive stress is is the minimum value of the compressive stress that can cause the deformable element to curve.

Further, the deformation element includes a first metal sheet connected to the damping element and connected to the fixing member via the first connection member and the second connection member, and the first metal sheet. a second metal sheet connected to the sheet and having a coefficient of thermal expansion different from that of the first metal sheet.

The optical signal attenuator further includes a locking element, and the first connection member is slidably connected to the fixed member and slidably connected to the deformable element, and the first connection member is slidably connected to the fixed member and the deformable element. a member is removably connected to the locking element so as to limit relative movement between the first connection member and the deformation element and between the first connection member and the fixed member; /Or, the second connecting member is slidably connected to the fixing member and slidably connected to the deformable element, and the first connecting member is connected to the first connecting member and the deformable element. The locking element is removably connected to the locking element so as to limit relative movement between the locking element and the first connecting member and between the first connecting member and the fixing member.

Moreover, the optical signal attenuator further includes a mounting base connected to the deformation element and the attenuation element.

Further, the optical signal path includes a first collimator located on one side of the attenuation element and a second collimator located on the other side of the attenuation element, and the first collimator and the second collimator are located on the other side of the attenuation element. The accommodation space is formed between the collimator and the collimator.

Further, an antireflection film is provided at the end of the first collimator and the end of the second collimator.

An embodiment of the present disclosure includes an optical splitter provided with a first signal output end and a second signal output end, a first optical fiber connected to the first signal output end, and a second optical fiber connected to the first signal output end. Further provided is an optical signal transmission system comprising: a second optical fiber connected to a signal output end; and the above-mentioned optical signal attenuator provided on the first optical fiber or the second optical fiber. do.

An embodiment of the present disclosure is a failure detection method for an optical signal transmission system, which is applied to the optical signal transmission system described in the above embodiments, and includes: measuring the optical signal attenuator; a step of obtaining a correspondence relationship between the attenuation intensity and the temperature; a step of obtaining an environmental temperature and obtaining a theoretical attenuation intensity based on the correspondence relationship between the attenuation intensity of the optical signal attenuator and the temperature; The intensity of the optical signal not attenuated by the optical signal attenuator in the optical fiber is subtracted from the intensity of the optical signal attenuated by the optical signal attenuator in the second optical fiber, and the actual intensity of the optical signal attenuator is obtaining an attenuation intensity; and if the absolute value of the difference between the theoretical attenuation intensity and the actual attenuation intensity is smaller than a predetermined threshold, determining that there is no failure in the optical signal transmission system; A fault detection method is further provided, comprising determining that there is a fault in the optical signal transmission system if the absolute value of the difference from the actual attenuation strength is greater than a predetermined threshold.

An embodiment of the present disclosure is an environmental temperature detection method applied to the optical signal transmission system described in the above embodiments, the method comprising measuring the optical signal attenuator and determining the attenuation intensity of the optical signal attenuator. obtaining a correspondence relationship with temperature, and the intensity of the optical signal not attenuated by the optical signal attenuator in the first optical fiber and the light attenuated by the optical signal attenuator in the second optical fiber; obtaining the attenuation intensity of the optical signal attenuator by subtracting the signal intensity; and obtaining the environmental temperature based on the attenuation intensity and the correspondence relationship between the attenuation intensity of the optical signal attenuator and temperature. The present invention further provides a method for detecting an environmental temperature.

An optical signal attenuator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an optical signal path provided with an accommodation space, an attenuation element partially located in the optical signal path, and a deformable element connected to the attenuation element, The deformable element displaces the attenuation element when the temperature changes, and by changing the area of the attenuation element in the cross section of the optical signal path, the proportion of the attenuated optical signal in the total optical signal is changed, and the optical signal is attenuated. Adjust the attenuation strength of the device. That is, embodiments of the present disclosure utilize the kinetic energy generated by the deformable element of the optical signal attenuator when the temperature changes, thereby adjusting the optical signal in response to the temperature change without consuming external energy. Automatically adjust the attenuation strength of the attenuator.

1 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of an optical signal attenuator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of another optical signal attenuator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of another optical signal attenuator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of another optical signal attenuator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a first type of locking element in an optical signal attenuator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a second type of locking element in an optical signal attenuator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an assembly of a mounting base, a deformation element, and an attenuation element in an optical signal attenuator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an assembly of a first collimator, a second collimator, and an attenuation element in an optical signal attenuator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of an optical signal transmission system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between attenuation strength of an optical signal attenuator and temperature in an optical signal transmission system according to an example of the present disclosure.

Each specific technical feature in each example described in the specific embodiment may be combined in various ways unless there is a contradiction, for example, various specific technical features may be combined in various ways. Other embodiments may also be formed. To avoid unnecessary repetition, this disclosure omits descriptions of various combinations of each specific technical feature.

In the specific embodiments below, the optical signal attenuator may be applied to any optical fiber transmission system. For example, the optical signal attenuator may be applied to a network optical signal transmission system, or may be applied to optical signal transmission of a short-range control system.

As shown in FIG. 1, the optical signal attenuator includes an optical signal path 10, an attenuation element 20, and a deformation element 30. Optical signal path 10 is used to transmit optical signals, and optical signal path 10 may be any element capable of transmitting optical signals. For example, it may be an optical fiber, and the optical signal may be transmitted through the optical fiber. Optical signal path 10 may be an optical signal path including, for example, an optical signal transmitter and an optical signal receiver, and the optical signal may be transmitted from the optical signal transmitter and received by the optical signal receiver. The optical signal path 10 is provided with an accommodation space 11, which is used to accommodate the attenuation element 20, that is, the attenuation element 20 enters the optical signal path through the accommodation space 11. Depending on the form of the optical signal path 10, the form of the accommodation space 11 also differs. For example, the optical signal path 10 is a transmission optical fiber, and the transmission optical fiber is provided with a slot, so that the receiving space 11 is formed in the transmission optical fiber. For example, if the optical signal path is an optical signal path that includes an optical signal transmitter and an optical signal receiver, the optical signal transmitter and optical signal receiver are separated by a predetermined distance, and the optical signal transmitter and optical signal receiver are separated by a predetermined distance. A housing space 11 is formed between the signal receiver and the signal receiver.

The attenuation element 20 may be an element capable of absorbing optical signals, and at least a part of the attenuation element 20 is located in the accommodation space 11, that is, at least a part of the attenuation element 20 is located in the optical signal path 10. . This absorbs the optical signal in the optical signal path 10, thereby attenuating the optical signal. Specifically, the damping element 20 occupies at least a portion of the accommodation space 11 . When the optical signal passes through the accommodation space 11 , at least a portion of the optical signal passes through the attenuation element 20 . When the optical signal of this part passes through the attenuation element 20, a part of the optical signal of this part is absorbed by the attenuation element 20, thereby reducing the intensity of the optical signal of this part. Reduces the intensity of the optical signal after passing through it. Preferably, the damping element 20 is an optically polished neutral absorbing glass.

The deformable element 30 is an element that can be deformed according to temperature, that is, the deformable element 30 is a temperature sensitive element. When the temperature of the environment in which the deformable element 30 is located changes, internal stress is generated within the deformable element 30, and the deformable element 30 deforms due to the action of the internal stress. Since the deformation element 30 is connected to the damping element 20, the deformation element 30 displaces the damping element 20 when the temperature of the environment in which the deformation element 30 is located changes. Here, the direction of displacement of the attenuation element 20 and the direction of extension of the optical signal path 10 form a predetermined angle. Note that the predetermined angle is greater than 0 degrees, that is, the displacement direction of the attenuation element 20 is not parallel to the extending direction of the optical signal path 10. Below, the principle of adjusting the attenuation strength of the optical signal attenuator will be exemplified.

For convenience of explanation, a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the optical signal path 10 will be referred to as a cross section. Attenuation element 20 occupies at least a portion of the cross-section, and at least a portion of the optical signal passes through attenuation element 20 as the optical signal passes through the cross-section. For convenience of explanation, this portion of the optical signal will hereinafter be referred to as an attenuated optical signal. When the attenuated optical signal passes through the attenuation element 20, the attenuation element 20 absorbs a portion of the attenuated optical signal, thereby reducing the intensity of the attenuated optical signal. reduce the strength of Here, the larger the area occupied by the attenuation element 20 in the cross section, the greater the ratio of the attenuated optical signal to the entire optical signal, and the stronger the attenuation intensity of the optical signal attenuator. When the temperature of the environment in which the optical signal attenuator is located changes, the deformation element 30 deforms, and as a result, the attenuation element 20 is displaced non-parallel to the direction in which the optical signal path 10 extends. This changes the area occupied by the attenuation element 20 in the cross section, changes the ratio of the attenuated optical signal to the entire optical signal, and changes the attenuation intensity of the optical signal attenuator. Adjust the attenuation strength.

An optical signal attenuator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an optical signal path provided with an accommodation space, an attenuation element partially located in the optical signal path, and a deformable element connected to the attenuation element, The deformable element displaces the attenuation element when the temperature changes, and by changing the area of the attenuation element in the cross section of the optical signal path, the proportion of the attenuated optical signal in the total optical signal is changed, and the optical signal is attenuated. Adjust the attenuation strength of the device. In other words, by using the kinetic energy generated by the deformable element of the optical signal attenuator when the temperature changes, the attenuation strength of the optical signal attenuator can be automatically adjusted according to the temperature change without consuming external energy. Adjust accordingly.

In some embodiments, the optical signal attenuator further includes a fixed member 40, as shown in FIG. Along the extending direction of the deformation element 30 (i.e., the longitudinal direction of the deformation element 30), one end of the deformation element 30 is fixedly connected to the fixed member 40, and the other end of the deformation element 30 is connected to the damping element 20. ing. When the temperature changes, the deformable element 30 causes the damping element 20 to move along the direction in which the deformable element 30 extends. Here, the extending direction of the deformable element 30 and the extending direction of the optical signal path 10 form a predetermined angle, that is, the extending direction of the deformable element 30 is not perpendicular to the extending direction of the optical signal path 10. do not have. As a result, the attenuation element 20 is displaced along a direction that is not perpendicular to the extending direction of the optical signal path 10, and the area occupied by the attenuation element 20 in the cross section of the optical signal path 10 is changed. Change the attenuation strength of That is, the attenuation strength of the optical signal attenuator can be automatically adjusted depending on the temperature.

In some other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the optical signal attenuator further includes a fixing member 40, a first connecting member 50, and a second connecting member 60. The first connecting member 50 is connected to the fixing member 40 and to the deformable element 30, that is, the deformable element 30 is connected to the fixing member 40 via the first connecting member 50. The second connecting member 60 is connected to the fixing member 40 and the deforming element 30 is connected, that is, the deforming element 30 is further connected to the fixing member 40 via the second connecting member 60 . The first connecting member 50 and the second connecting member 60 are provided along the extending direction of the deformable element 30, and the position where the deformable element 30 and the damping element 20 are connected is located at the first connecting member 50. and the second connecting member 60. That is, along the extending direction of the deformable element 30, the damping element 20 is located between the first connecting member 50 and the second connecting member 60. When the temperature changes, the deformation element 30 located between the first connecting member 50 and the second connecting member 60 bends and the damping element 20 is displaced. Here, when the deformation element 30 curves, the displacement of the position where the deformation element 30 and the attenuation element 20 are connected is not parallel to the extending direction of the optical signal path 10, so the attenuation element 20 Displaced non-parallel to the extending direction of the path 10, the attenuation element changes the area shown in the cross section of the optical signal path, changes the proportion of the attenuated optical signal to the entire optical signal, and changes the attenuation intensity of the optical signal attenuator. Adjust.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the first connecting member 50 and the second connecting member 60 are separated by a predetermined distance along the extending direction of the deformable element 30. As a result, the deformable element 30 can generate an unstable curvature due to the action of the compressive stress, so the attenuation element 20 is displaced by the curvature of the deformable element, and the attenuation intensity of the optical signal attenuator is adjusted. The minimum distance between the first connection member 50 and the second connection member 60 is determined based on the adjustment accuracy of the attenuation strength of the optical signal attenuator. Specifically, the minimum compressive stress P _min , that is, the minimum value of the compressive stress that can curve the deformable element 30 is determined based on the adjustment accuracy of the attenuation intensity of the optical signal attenuator. Next, calculate the critical compressive stress according to the following formula:

式（１）において、Ｐ_ｃｒは臨界圧縮応力であり、Ｅは変形素子３０の弾性率であり、Ｉは変形素子３０の慣性モーメントであり、Ｌは第１の接続部材５０と第２の接続部材６０との間の変形素子の長さ、即ち、変形素子３０の延在方向の第１の接続部材５０と第２の接続部材６０との間隔である。臨界圧縮応力Ｐ_ｃｒを最小圧縮応力Ｐ_ｉｎよりも小さくすることにより、変形素子３０は、最小圧縮応力Ｐ_ｍｉｎの作用により湾曲することができる。

In equation (1), P _cr is the critical compressive stress, E is the elastic modulus of the deformation element 30, I is the moment of inertia of the deformation element 30, and L is the relationship between the first connection member 50 and the second connection. This is the length of the deformable element with respect to the member 60, that is, the distance between the first connecting member 50 and the second connecting member 60 in the extending direction of the deformable element 30. By making the critical compressive stress P _cr smaller than the minimum compressive stress P _in , the deformable element 30 can be bent under the action of the minimum compressive stress P _min .

P _cr <P _min (2)
Substituting equation (1) into equation (2) yields the following equation.

式（３）によると、第１の接続部材５０と第２の接続部材との間の最小間隔Ｌ_ｍｉｎを得ることができる。

According to equation (3), the minimum distance L _min between the first connecting member 50 and the second connecting member can be obtained.

幾つかの実施例では、図４に示すように、変形素子３０は、第１の金属シート３１及び第２の金属シート３２を含む。第１の金属シート３１は、減衰素子２０に接続され、且つ第１の接続部材５０及び第２の接続部材６０を介して固定部材４０に接続されている。第２の金属シート３２は、第１の金属シート３１に接続され、第２の金属シート３２の熱膨張係数は第１の金属シート３１の熱膨張係数とは異なる。温度が変化する際に、第１の金属シート３１による変形量と第２の金属シート３２による変形量とが異なるため、変形素子３０が湾曲する。具体的には、第１の金属シート３１の熱膨張係数が第２の金属シート３２の熱膨張係数よりも大きいことを一例にして、変形素子３０と温度変化との関係を例示的に説明する。温度が上昇する状態では、第１の金属シート３１の伸長量が第２の金属シート３２の伸長量よりも大きく、変形素子３０が第１の金属シート３１側に湾曲する。温度が低下する状態では、第１の金属シート３１の短縮量が第２の金属シート３２の短縮量よりも大きく、変形素子３０が第２の金属シート３２側に湾曲する。

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, deformation element 30 includes a first metal sheet 31 and a second metal sheet 32. The first metal sheet 31 is connected to the damping element 20 and to the fixing member 40 via a first connecting member 50 and a second connecting member 60 . A second metal sheet 32 is connected to the first metal sheet 31 , and the coefficient of thermal expansion of the second metal sheet 32 is different from that of the first metal sheet 31 . When the temperature changes, the amount of deformation caused by the first metal sheet 31 and the amount of deformation caused by the second metal sheet 32 are different, so the deformation element 30 curves. Specifically, the relationship between the deformable element 30 and temperature change will be exemplified by using as an example that the coefficient of thermal expansion of the first metal sheet 31 is larger than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the second metal sheet 32. . In a state where the temperature increases, the amount of elongation of the first metal sheet 31 is greater than the amount of elongation of the second metal sheet 32, and the deformable element 30 curves toward the first metal sheet 31. In a state where the temperature decreases, the amount of shortening of the first metal sheet 31 is greater than the amount of shortening of the second metal sheet 32, and the deformable element 30 curves toward the second metal sheet 32.

In some embodiments, the optical signal attenuator further includes a locking element, and at least one of the first connecting member 50 and the second connecting member 60 is a movable member, i.e., an extension of the deformable element. It is a connecting member that is slidable along the direction of movement. The locking element 70 is removably connected to the movable member so as to limit relative movement between the movable member and the deformable element, and to limit relative movement between the movable member and the fixed member. The following will explain the first connection member 50 as an example.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first connecting member 50 is slidably connected to the fixing member 40 and slidably connected to the deformable element 30. The first connecting member 50 restricts relative movement between the first connecting member 50 and the deformable element 30 by the locking element 70 in a state where the locking element 70 and the first connecting member 50 are connected. However, it is removably connected to the locking element 70 so as to limit relative movement between the first connecting member 50 and the fixing member 40. The locking element 70 is removed from the first connecting member 50, and the first connecting member 50 slides along the extending direction of the deformable element 30 to connect the first connecting member 50 and the second connecting member 60. The interval can be adjusted. Thereby, the length of the deformable element 30 between the first connecting member 50 and the second connecting member 60 is adjusted, the amount of deformation of the deformable element 30 is adjusted, and the degree of attenuation of the optical signal attenuator is adjusted. can do. After sliding the first connecting member 50 to a predetermined position along the extending direction of the deformable element 30, the locking element 70 and the first connecting member 50 are connected. Relative movement between the deformable element 30 and the first connecting member 50 and the fixing member 40 is restricted. Thereby, the deformable element 30 can be fixed to the fixing member 40 via the first connecting member 50, and the deformable element 30 can be deformed to curve. The locking element 70 is removably connected to the first connecting member 50 and limits relative movement between the first connecting member 50 and the deformable element, and restricts relative movement between the first connecting member 50 and the fixing member 40. is any structure that can limit the The structure of the locking element 70 will be exemplarily described below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Note that the structure of the locking element 70 is not limited to the two structures described below.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first type of locking element 70A includes a sleeve 71A and a base 72A attached to the outer surface of the sleeve 71A. The sleeve 71A is provided with a deformation groove 73A, a clamp plate 74A is provided on both sides of the deformation groove 73A, and a locking hole 75A is provided in the clamp plate 74A. The sleeve 71A is provided outside the deformable element, and the bottom surface of the base 72A contacts the fixing member 40. Since the size of the inner edge of the sleeve 71A is larger than the size of the outer edge of the deformation element 30, the first type of locking element 70A can slide along the direction of extension of the deformation element. After moving the locking element to the desired position, the bolt is passed through the locking hole in the clamp plate and a nut is installed on the other side of the bolt. By tightening the nut and applying a pressing force to the clamp plate 74A, the deformation groove 73A is deformed and the size of the inner edge of the sleeve 71A is reduced. At this time, a frictional force is generated between the sleeve 71A and the deformable element 30. The frictional force can limit the relative movement between the first type of locking element 70A and the deformation element 30. At the same time, due to the deformation of the sleeve 71A, the base 72A is pressed against the fixing member 40, and a frictional force is also generated between the base 72A and the fixing member 40. The frictional force can limit relative movement between the first type of locking element 70A and the fixing member 40.

As shown in FIG. 6, the second type of locking element 70B includes a mounting sleeve 71B and a base plate 72B, the mounting sleeve 71B being connected to the outer surface of the base plate 72B. The mounting sleeve 71B is provided with a screw hole 73B. Since the bottom surface of the base plate 72B is in contact with the fixing member 40 and the inner edge size of the mounting sleeve 71B is larger than the outer edge size of the deformation element 30, the locking element 70B cannot slide along the extending direction of the deformation element. I can do it. After the locking element is moved to the desired position, the bolt passes through the screw hole 73B and the other end of the bolt comes into contact with the deformation element 30, so that a frictional force is generated between the bolt and the deformation element 30. , the frictional force can limit the relative movement between the second type locking element 70B and the deformation element 30. At the same time, the base plate 72B is pressed against the fixing member 40 due to the positive pressure between the bolt and the deformation element, and a frictional force is also generated between the base plate 72B and the fixing member 40. Relative movement between the second type of locking element 70B and the fixing member 40 can be restricted.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, the optical signal attenuator further includes a mounting base 80 connected to the deformation element 30 and the attenuation element 20, i.e., the attenuation element 20 It is connected to the deformation element 30 via the deformation element 30 . Since the deformation element 30 is an elongated element, it is inconvenient to connect it directly to the damping element 20. By providing the mounting base 80 with a larger size and connecting the damping element 20 and the deformable element 30 via the mounting base 80, the damping element 20 and the deformable element 30 can be reliably connected, and the deformation Difficulty in attaching the element 30 can be reduced.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, optical signal path 10 includes a first collimator 12 and a second collimator 13. The first collimator 12 is located on one side of the damping element 20, the second collimator 13 is located on the other side of the damping element 20, and there is a space between the first collimator 12 and the second collimator 13. , an accommodation space 11 for accommodating a damping element is formed. By providing the first collimator 12 and the second collimator 13, non-parallel input optical signals can be converted into parallel input optical signals, so there is no need to provide an optical fiber and leakage of optical signals is prevented. However, optical signal loss in the optical signal path 10 can be reduced. Preferably, the ends of the first collimator 12 and the second collimator 13 are provided with antireflection coatings. Thereby, the light transmittance of the first collimator 12 and the second collimator 13 can be improved, and the optical signal loss in the optical signal path 10 can be further reduced.

As shown in FIG. 9, embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an optical signal transmission system. The optical signal transmission system includes an optical splitter 1, a first optical fiber 2, a second optical fiber 3, and the optical signal attenuator 4 described above.

The optical splitter 1 is provided with a first signal output end 1a and a second signal output end 1b, and receives the input optical signal from the first signal output end 1a and the second signal output end 1b, respectively. It can be output. The intensity of the optical signal output by the first signal output terminal 1a is equal to the intensity of the optical signal output by the second signal output terminal 1b.

The first optical fiber 2 is connected to the first signal output end 1a, the second optical fiber 3 is connected to the second signal output end 1b, and the optical signal attenuator 4 is connected to the first optical fiber 2 or the first signal output end 1b. The optical fiber 3 of No. 2 is provided. For convenience of explanation, the following description will be based on an example in which the optical signal attenuator 4 is provided in the first optical fiber.

By measuring the optical signal attenuator 4, it is possible to obtain the correspondence between the attenuation intensity of the optical signal attenuator 4 and the temperature. For example, the correspondence relationship between the attenuation intensity of the optical signal attenuator 4 and the temperature is shown in FIG. 10, and the attenuation intensity and temperature have a substantially directly proportional relationship.

In some embodiments, when the environmental temperature is known, the theoretical attenuation strength of the optical signal attenuator 4 is obtained, and the strength of the optical signal not attenuated by the optical signal attenuator 4 in the first optical fiber 2 is calculated. The actual attenuation strength of the optical signal attenuator 4 may be obtained by subtracting the intensity of the optical signal attenuated by the optical signal attenuator 4 in the second optical fiber 3. By comparing the theoretical attenuation strength and the actual attenuation strength, it can be determined whether there is a fault in the optical signal transmission system. Specifically, if the absolute value of the difference between the theoretical attenuation strength and the actual attenuation strength is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that there is no failure in the optical signal transmission system, and the absolute value of the difference between the theoretical attenuation strength and the actual attenuation strength is If the value is greater than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that there is a fault in the optical signal transmission system.

In some embodiments, the temperature of the environment may be further measured based on the optical signal attenuator 4 if the optical signal transmission system is determined to be fault-free. Specifically, the intensity of the optical signal not attenuated by the optical signal attenuator 4 in the first optical fiber 2 and the intensity of the optical signal attenuated by the optical signal attenuator 4 in the second optical fiber 3 are subtracted. Then, the attenuation intensity of the optical signal attenuator 4 is obtained, and the temperature of the environment is obtained based on the correspondence between the attenuation intensity of the optical signal attenuator 4 and the temperature.

The above descriptions are just preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and do not limit the protection scope of the present disclosure.
(Industrial applicability)
An optical signal attenuator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an optical signal path provided with an accommodation space, an attenuation element partially located in the optical signal path, and a deformable element connected to the attenuation element, The deformable element displaces the attenuation element when the temperature changes, and by changing the area of the attenuation element in the cross section of the optical signal path, the proportion of the attenuated optical signal in the total optical signal is changed, and the optical signal is attenuated. Adjust the attenuation strength of the device. That is, embodiments of the present disclosure utilize the kinetic energy generated by the deformable element of the optical signal attenuator when the temperature changes, thereby adjusting the optical signal in response to the temperature change without consuming external energy. Automatically adjust the attenuation strength of the attenuator.

10-optical signal path, 11-accommodating space, 12-first collimator, 13-second collimator, 20-attenuation element, 30-deformation element, 31-first metal sheet, 32-second metal sheet , 40-fixing member, 50-first connecting member, 60-second connecting member, 70 locking element, 70A-locking element of the first type, 71A-sleeve, 72A-base, 73A-deformation groove , 74A-clamp plate, 75A-locking hole, 70B-second type locking element, 71B-mounting sleeve, 72B-base plate, 73B-screw hole, 80-mounting base, 1-light splitter, 1a- First signal output end, 1b-second signal output end, 2-first fiber, 3-second fiber, 4-optical signal attenuator.

Claims (10)

A failure detection method for an optical signal transmission system, which is applied to an optical signal transmission system, the method comprising:
The optical signal transmission system includes:
an optical splitter provided with a first signal output end and a second signal output end;
a first optical fiber connected to the first signal output end;
a second optical fiber connected to the second signal output end;
an optical signal attenuator provided in the first optical fiber or the second optical fiber,
The optical signal attenuator is
an optical signal path provided with a storage space;
an attenuation element at least partially located in the accommodation space and absorbing a portion of the optical signal in the optical signal path;
a deformable element connected to the damping element and deformable according to temperature so as to displace the damping element,
The displacement direction of the attenuation element and the extending direction of the optical signal path form a predetermined angle,
The failure detection method includes:
measuring the optical signal attenuator and obtaining a correspondence between the attenuation intensity of the optical signal attenuator and temperature;
obtaining an environmental temperature and obtaining a theoretical attenuation intensity based on the correspondence between the attenuation intensity of the optical signal attenuator and the temperature;
Subtracting the intensity of the optical signal not attenuated by the optical signal attenuator in the first optical fiber and the intensity of the optical signal attenuated by the optical signal attenuator in the second optical fiber, obtaining the actual attenuation strength of the attenuator;
If the absolute value of the difference between the theoretical attenuation strength and the actual attenuation strength is smaller than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that there is no failure in the optical signal transmission system, and the absolute value of the difference between the theoretical attenuation strength and the actual attenuation strength is determining that there is a fault in the optical signal transmission system if the value is greater than a predetermined threshold . The optical signal attenuator further includes a fixing member,
Along the extending direction of the deformation element, one end of the deformation element is fixedly connected to the fixing member, and the other end of the deformation element is connected to the damping element,
2. The failure detection method according to claim 1, wherein the extending direction of the deformable element and the extending direction of the optical signal path form the predetermined angle. The optical signal attenuator is
a fixed member;
a first connecting member connected to the fixed member and connected to the deformable element;
further comprising: a second connecting member connected to the fixing member and connected to the deformable element;
The first connecting member and the second connecting member are provided along the extending direction of the deformable element,
The failure detection method according to claim 1, wherein the position where the deformation element and the damping element are connected is located between the first connection member and the second connection member. The failure detection method according to claim 3, wherein the first connecting member and the second connecting member are separated by a predetermined distance along the extending direction of the deformable element. The distance between the first connection member and the second connection member is greater than or equal to a minimum distance,
The minimum spacing is

and
where L _min is the minimum spacing, E is the elastic modulus of the deformation element, I is the moment of inertia of the deformation element, P _min is the minimum compressive stress, and the minimum compressive stress is the 5. The failure detection method according to claim 4, which is the minimum value of compressive stress that can cause the deformable element to bend. The deformable element is
a first metal sheet connected to the damping element and connected to the fixing member via the first connecting member and the second connecting member;
4. The failure detection method according to claim 3, further comprising: a second metal sheet connected to the first metal sheet and having a coefficient of thermal expansion different from that of the first metal sheet. The optical signal attenuator further includes a locking element,
The first connecting member is slidably connected to the fixing member and slidably connected to the deformable element, and the first connecting member is configured to connect the first connecting member and the deformable element relative to each other. removably connected to the locking element so as to limit movement and relative movement between the first connecting member and the fixing member; and/or
The second connecting member is slidably connected to the fixing member and slidably connected to the deformable element, and the first connecting member is configured to connect the first connecting member to the deformable element. 4. The failure detection method according to claim 3, wherein the locking element is removably connected to limit movement and relative movement between the first connecting member and the fixing member. The failure detection method according to claim 1, wherein the optical signal attenuator further includes a mounting base connected to the deformation element and the attenuation element. The optical signal path is
a first collimator located on one side of the attenuation element;
a second collimator located on the other side of the attenuation element;
The failure detection method according to claim 1, wherein the accommodation space is formed between the first collimator and the second collimator. The failure detection method according to claim 9, wherein an antireflection film is provided at an end of the first collimator and an end of the second collimator.

Images