JPH09145539A - System for maintaining light ray path - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To switch an improved device by the same instruction as used in a conventional device, by incorporating in a test control part a conventional-type first fiber-switching/selecting device an improved-type second and third fiber- switching/selecting devices. SOLUTION: A detecting optical fiber 10 is arranged at each of fiber- switching/selecting devices A1 , E1 , E2 . The detecting optical fiber 10 is connected by a connector to an optical fiber monitoring a ray path. The number of a ray path to be measured is commanded to each fiber-switching/selecting device A1 , E1 , E2 from a personal computer 5, so that a first and a second master optical fibers 12, 14 are switched/connected to the detecting optical fiber 10 of the designated number. A light signal of the ray path is taken into the test control part 1 through the corresponding master optical fiber. A fault point or the like is measured by an OTDR(optical time domain reflectometer) 4, etc. A common command is generated from the personal computer 5 to the fiber-switching/selecting device A1 , E1 , E2 thereby to switch an optical switch.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical line maintenance system for monitoring an optical line used for optical communication and performing maintenance when an abnormality occurs.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An optical line maintenance system has been introduced for maintaining and managing an optical line (optical fiber) of an optical cable laid on a subscriber side from an optical communication side. FIG. 9 shows a conventional general optical line maintenance system. This system comprises a test controller 1, a plurality of fiber switching / selecting devices A _{1 to} A _n, and a plurality of branch type optical fiber coupler modules 18. The test controller 1 includes a light source 3 such as a semiconductor laser or a light emitting diode that generates test light, an optical power meter 2 and a pulse tester (OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer)).
It has a plurality of measuring instruments including No. 4, a personal computer 5, an optical switch 6, and a power supply device. In FIG. 9, the optical power meter 2, the light source 3, and the OTDR 4 are drawn outside the test control unit 1, but this is for the sake of convenience of description, and in practice, these are cases of the test control unit 1. It is housed inside.

The personal computer 5 is signal-connected to a workstation (not shown) and is controlled by the workstation. The personal computer 5 has a built-in program for self-inspection of the maintenance system and various measurement programs that use measuring instruments such as OTDR4, and the measuring instrument to be used depends on the type of measurement using the light from the light source 3. Select and switch connection of the measuring instrument (optical power meter 2, light source 3 or O
And TDR4 side of the optical fiber, comprising a connection switching between optical fibers of the fiber selectively switched device A ₁ to A _n-side) to control. Further, the personal computer 5 instructions, commands of fiber switching in each fiber switching selection device A ₁ to A _n, that is, outputs a command of an optical line to be measured.

Each of the fiber switching selection devices A _{1 to} A _n has an optical switch (optical fiber switching switch mechanism). That is, each fiber switching selection device A ₁
The to A _n a plurality of receiving side optical fiber 10 are arranged disposed. A first master optical fiber 12 and a second master optical fiber 14 are arrayed and fixed on a moving stage (not shown) on the side facing the optical fiber array group, and the personal computer of the test control unit 1 is provided. In accordance with the command added from 5, the moving movement of the moving stage is performed, and each master optical fiber 12, 14 and the corresponding receiving optical fiber 10 are moved.
The switching connection with is made.

A plurality of the receiving side optical fibers 10 are put together and arranged in an array in a connector 16. In the example of FIG. 9, eight receiving side optical fibers 10 are one connecting connector 16.
And the next eight receiving-side optical fibers 10 are aggregated into another one connecting connector 16, so that a plurality of receiving-side optical fibers 10 are aggregated into one connecting connector 16, Several hundreds of receiving optical fibers 10 are installed in _one fiber switching and selecting device A ₁ , and other several hundreds of receiving optical fibers 10 are installed in another fiber switching and selecting device A ₂ . The receiving side optical fibers 10 are arranged in an array with a connector 11 attached to their connection ends.

The connection between the optical line of each core of an optical cable having an optical line (optical fiber) of several thousand cores and each of the fiber switching selection devices A _{1 to} A _n is performed between the optical fiber 10 on the receiving side and the optical line. Either of a case of connecting via the fiber coupler module 18 and a case of connecting without interposing the optical fiber coupler module 18 is adopted. In the example of FIG. 9, an example in which the optical line of each core and the receiving side optical fiber 10 are connected via the optical fiber coupler module 18 via the corresponding optical fiber coupler 17 of the optical fiber coupler module 18 is provided. It is shown.

FIG. 4 shows the optical fiber coupler module 18
The configuration of the optical switch according to the first embodiment showing the details of the receiving side optical fiber 10 and the receiving side optical fiber 10. 1 to No. Two optical fiber coupler modules 18a and 18b are provided in the 8-core optical line of No. 8, and No. 1 to No. 4 optical fiber couplers of the optical fiber coupler module 18a for 4 optical lines up to 4
17 are optically coupled to the corresponding optical lines. 5 to No. The four optical lines up to 8 are optically coupled to the corresponding optical lines by the four optical fiber couplers 17 of the optical fiber coupler module 18b.

The optical fibers on the input side and the output side of the optical fiber coupler module 18a are aggregated in the coupler side connector 23a and connected to the connection connector 16 on the receiving side optical fiber 10 side. The optical fibers on the input side and the output side are gathered in the coupler side connector 23b and connected to the connection connector 16 on the receiving side optical fiber 10. The number in parentheses written on the receiving optical fiber 10 side indicates the command of the optical line to be measured, which is output from the personal computer 5 on the test control unit 1 side, by the command number. When this command number is issued from the personal computer 5 side, the first master optical fiber 12 and the second master optical fiber 14 are connected to the receiving side optical fibers corresponding to the command number on the fiber switching selection devices A _{1 to An} side. The pair moves to 10 and the connection between the master optical fibers 12 and 14 and the commanded receiving optical fiber 10, that is, the optical line to be measured is reached.

For example, when the command number (1) is added,
The first master optical fiber 12 is moved to the position of the receiving side optical fiber 10 of the command number (1) and connected, and the first master optical fiber 12 and the No. One optical line is optically coupled, and similarly, a second master optical fiber 14 that moves together with the first master optical fiber 12 with a 4-pitch interval is connected to a corresponding receiving optical fiber 10. . in this way,
(1), (2), (3), (4), (11), (12),
When the command numbers (13) and (14) are added, the first master optical fiber 12 is connected to the receiving optical fiber of the command number, and the second master optical fiber 14 is commanded by the command numbers (6) and (6). 7), (8), (9), (16), (17),
It is configured to move to the position of the receiving side optical fiber 10 in (18) and (19) and connect.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the optical switch of the second embodiment in which the receiving side optical fiber 10 and the optical line are directly connected without using the optical fiber coupler modules 18a and 18b. The array group of the receiving side optical fibers 10 of the optical switch of the second mode is the same as the array group of the receiving side optical fibers 10 of the optical switch of the first mode. As shown in FIG. 4, in the configuration in which the optical line is coupled with the optical fiber coupler, since the optical fibers on the input side and the output side of the optical fiber coupler 17 exist from one optical line, Optical fibers twice as many as the optical fibers are collected in the coupler-side connectors 23a and 23b. However, as shown in FIG. 5, when the optical fiber couplers 18a and 18b are not provided, the same number of optical fibers as the number of optical lines are provided. Optical connector
By combining the optical connectors 19a and 19b corresponding to the connection connector 16, the four optical line side optical fibers each have eight receiving side optical fibers and the four optical receiving sides at the center of the optical fiber side. It is connected to an optical fiber.

When the receiving side optical fiber 10 and the optical line are connected without interposing an optical fiber coupler as shown in FIG. 5, a command added from the personal computer 5 side is an optical fiber coupler module. A command different from the case where the receiving side optical fiber 10 and the optical line are connected via an intervening cable is issued. In the example of FIG. When the first master optical fiber 12 is connected to the optical line 1 of 1, the command number of (3) is issued, and thus, (3),
According to the commands (4), (6), and (7), the first master optical fiber 12 has the No. No. 1 to No. No. 4 of the first master optical fiber 12 and No. 4 according to the commands (command number) of (13), (14), (16) and (17). 5 to No. Switching connections with up to 8 optical lines are made.

In the optical line maintenance system shown in FIG. 9, for example, the optical fiber 8b of the light source 3 is connector-connected to the first master optical fiber 12 by the optical switch 6,
The optical fiber 8a of the optical power meter 2 is connected to the second master optical fiber 14 by a connector, and the command number (1) is output from the personal computer 5, so that the fiber switching and selecting device A ₁ side has the first optical fiber 8a. By connecting the master optical fiber 12 to the line (1) of the receiving side optical fiber 10 and connecting the second master optical fiber 14 to the line (6) of the receiving side optical fiber 10, the light source 3 The test light from the optical fiber 8b, the first master optical fiber 12, (1)
No. of the optical cable through the optical fiber 20 on the coupler input side 1
(6) coupler output side optical fiber 22, second master optical fiber 1
4. It reaches the optical power meter 2 through the optical fiber 8a, the optical power of the return test light is measured by the optical power meter 2, and a self-inspection is carried out as to whether or not there is any abnormality in the optical line maintenance system. This self-test is done on a route through all fiber optic couplers.

After confirming that there is no abnormality on all routes, detection of a fault point (abnormal point) of the optical line using the OTDR 4 or the like, measurement of optical loss from one side of the OTDR, and the like are performed. When measuring with this OTDR4,
The optical fiber 8c of R4 is connected to the first master optical fiber 12. Then, by outputting the command number (1) from the personal computer 5, the first master optical fiber 12 and the No.
No. 1 is coupled with the optical line of No. 1. The measurement by the OTDR4 of the optical line 1 is performed. This No. After the measurement of the optical path of No. 1 is completed, the command number (2) is output from the personal computer 5, so that the first master optical fiber 12 is No. No. 2 connected to the optical line of No. 2. The measurement of the two optical lines is performed. In this way, from the PC 5 side, (1), (2), (3), (4), (11), (12),
By sequentially outputting the command numbers of (13) and (14),
No. No. 1 to No. The optical line up to 8 is the master optical fiber 12
And the master optical fiber 14, and these No. 1 to
No. Detection of faulty points on the optical line up to 8 and measurement of optical transmission loss viewed from one side of the OTDR 4 are performed.

Further, in the fiber switching selection device equipped with the optical switch without the optical fiber coupler module as shown in FIG. 5, the optical switch of the second mode is used from the personal computer 5 side. Is a directive of
(3), (4), (6), (7), (13), (14),
By sequentially outputting the command numbers (16) and (17),
The first master optical fiber 12 is sequentially connected to the receiving side optical fibers 10 of (3) to (17), and No. No. 1 to No. Measurements such as detection of a fault point on the optical line up to 8 are performed.

[0015]

However, in the conventional optical line maintenance system including the optical switch of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the first master optical fiber 12 and the second master optical fiber 14 are always shown. It is equipped on a moving stage that is not installed, and the input side optical fiber 20 and the output side optical fiber 22 on the side of each optical fiber coupler 17 are switched and connected collectively via the receiving side optical fiber 10. The test light entering the optical fiber coupler 17 from the optical fiber 20 side passes through the output side optical fiber 22 and the second master optical fiber 14
Therefore, the return light of the test light must be returned to the test control unit 1 side when the fault point of each optical line is detected using the OTDR 4, for example. However, there is a problem that the return light is incident on the light source 3 and the measuring instrument used, which adversely affects the characteristics of the light source 3 and the measurement performance of the measuring instrument.

Further, in order to measure a large number of optical lines of several thousand, a plurality of fiber switching selection devices A _{1 to} A _n will be connected to the test control section 1, but each fiber switching selection is performed. the device always first master optical fiber 12 in order to two master optical fiber of the second master optical fiber 14 is connected, a test control unit 1 between each fiber switching selection device a ₁ to a _n There is a problem in that the number of optical fibers connected by wiring is increased and the optical fibers are disordered.

In order to solve the above problems, the present inventor has proposed an improved optical line maintenance system as shown in FIG. The system of this proposal is different from the conventional system in that the fiber switching selection device is a device E ₁ for exclusively switching and connecting the input side optical fiber 20 of the optical fiber coupler 17 and the output side optical fiber of the optical fiber coupler 17. This is because the device E ₂ for connecting the switch 22 for exclusive switching is made a pair and provided in an even number, and the other structure is almost the same as the conventional example.

Also in this proposed example, the fiber switching and selecting devices E ₁ and E ₂ are provided with an optical line and a receiving side optical fiber 10.
An optical switch having an optical fiber coupler module 18 'interposed between the optical switch and an optical switch formed by connecting the receiving side optical fiber 10 and the optical line without providing the optical fiber coupler module 18'. One of the optical switches is provided, and the example of FIG. 8 shows a configuration in which an optical fiber coupler module 18 'is provided between the optical line and the receiving side optical fiber 10.

Through this optical fiber coupler module 18 '
When using the installed optical switch, an optical fiber coupler
Connector 31, 16 to the input side optical fiber 20 of module 18 '
Arrange the receiving side optical fibers 10 that are connected via
Of the optical fiber coupler 17
Fiber switching selection device E₁And an optical fiber cap
Connector 32 to the optical fiber 22 on the output side of the module
The receiving side optical fibers 10 connected through 16 are arranged in an array.
Of optical fiber coupler 17
Dedicated fiber switching selection device E_TwoAnd as one pair,
Corresponding to the number of cores of the optical line of the optical cable,
, Even fiber switching selection device E₁, E_TwoInstalled
Each fiber switching selection device E₁And test control unit 1
One first master optical fiber 12 is connected between
Each fiber switching selection device E _TwoAnd test control unit 1
A second master optical fiber 14 is routed to this.

FIG. 2 shows a fiber switching selection device E ₁ , E ₁ .
₂ shows the details of the optical switch provided in FIG. No. 1 to No. An optical fiber coupler 17 that optically couples to each of the eight optical lines up to 8 is provided, and the input side optical fibers 20 of each of the optical fiber couplers 17 are aggregated in a coupler input side connector 31, and this coupler input side connector 31 is It is connected to the connector 16 of the receiving side optical fiber 10 of the fiber switching selection device E ₁ . Then, each optical fiber coupler 17 of the optical fiber coupler module 18 'is
The output side optical fibers 22 are collected in the coupler output side connector 32 and connected to the receiving side optical fiber connector 16 of the fiber switching and selecting device E ₂ .

In this way, the coupler input side connector 31 is formed by interposing the optical fiber coupler modules 18 'for every eight cores of the optical line, and collecting the input side optical fibers 20 of each optical fiber coupler module 18'. Fiber switching selection device E
₁ , each coupler output side connector 32 connected to the connection connector 16 of each receiving side optical fiber 10 and collecting the output side optical fibers 22 of each optical fiber coupler module 18 'is a receiving side on the fiber switching selection device E ₂ side. The fiber switching selecting device E ₁ is connected to each connector 16 of the optical fiber 10 as an optical switch dedicated to the input side optical fiber 20, and the fiber switching selecting device E ₂ is used as a dedicated optical switch for the output side optical fiber 22. When the command number of the input side optical fiber 20 is output from the personal computer 5 side, the first master optical fiber 12 on the fiber switching selection device E ₁ side is moved, and the commanded number is received. The side optical fiber is connected and the personal computer 5
The second master optical fiber 14 on the fiber switching and selecting device E ₂ side is moved by the output of the command number of the output side optical fiber 22 from the second master optical fiber 14 to the commanded number. Corresponding receiving optical fiber 10
The switching connection with is achieved.

Further, the fiber switching selection devices E ₁ , E
₂ is equipped with an optical switch in which the optical fiber coupler module 18 'is not provided, as shown in FIG.
o. No. 1 to No. The optical connector 19a formed by consolidating the fibers connected to the optical line 4 is a fiber switching selection device E.
Connected to the connector connector 16 of the receiving optical fiber on the ₁ side,
No. 5 to No. An optical connector 19b formed by aggregating the optical fibers connected to the optical lines up to 8 is connected to the connection connector 16 of the receiving side optical fiber on the fiber switching / selecting device E ₂ side. And, in this case also, the optical line No. No. 1 to No.
When the command number relating to No. 4 is output from the personal computer 5, the first master optical fiber 12 is moved on the side of the fiber switching and selecting device E ₁ and corresponds to the first master optical fiber 12 and the command number. Receiving optical fiber 10
The connection with the optical line has been achieved, 5 to No. When the command number for 8 is output from the personal computer 5, the second master optical fiber 14 is moved on the fiber switching selection device E ₂ side, and the second master optical fiber 14 is moved.
The connection between 14 and the receiving optical fiber 10 corresponding to the command is achieved.

In the system of this proposed example, only one first master optical fiber 12 is required as the optical fiber wired between the fiber switching / selecting device E ₁ and the test controller 1.
Further, the optical fiber to be wired between the fiber switching / selecting device E ₂ and the test control unit 1 is only one second master optical fiber 14, and as shown in FIG. compared to device a ₁ to a _n 2 pieces of the master optical fibers 12 for each of a method in which a wire can halved the number of the master optical fiber is wired between the fiber switching selection device and the test control unit 1, the test controller It is possible to prevent cluttering of the optical fiber wiring between the optical fiber switching selecting device E 1 and each of the fiber switching selection devices E ₁ and E ₂ , and it is possible to perform wiring in a neat form, and handling of the optical fiber wiring processing becomes very easy.

Further, as described above, even when the optical fiber coupler module 18 'is provided, the connection switching of the input side optical fiber 20 of the optical fiber coupler 17 and the connection switching of the output side optical fiber 22 are separated from each other. Since the switching selection devices E ₁ and E ₂ independently perform the measurement, for example, when measuring each optical line of the optical cable using the OTDR 4, the fiber switching selection device E ₂ side
By releasing the connection between the output side optical fiber 22 of the optical fiber coupler 17 and the second master optical fiber 14 which are coupled to the optical line to be measured, the return light of the test light from the optical fiber coupler 17 is generated. It is possible to prevent the light from returning to the test control unit 1 side, which adversely affects the light source 3 on the test control unit 1 side and the measuring instruments such as the optical power meter 2 by the return light of the test light. It becomes possible to completely prevent the above problem, and it is possible to significantly improve the reliability of the inspection measurement on the test control unit 1 side.

As is well known, the conventional optical line maintenance system as shown in FIG. 9 is widely used, and in order to improve the system performance, the equipment is changed from the conventional type to the proposed example at once. Switching is uneconomical because the conventional system is wasted. Therefore,
In a conventional optical line maintenance system, for example, when replacing a defective fiber switching selection device with a new product, or when adding an optical line and adding a fiber switching selection device, the conventional fiber switching selection device is used. Selection device A
It is desired to adopt the proposed fiber switching selection devices E ₁ and E ₂ instead of adopting the above.

However, the conventional fiber switching selection device A and the proposed fiber switching selection device E ₁ ,
Since E ₂ has a different optical switch configuration,
Even if the command number of the optical line to be measured is output from the test control unit 1 side of the conventional system, the fiber switching selection device E
The optical switches on the ₁ and E ₂ side cannot operate in response to the command, and in order to enable this, a circuit for outputting the command number for the fiber switching selection devices E ₁ and E _{2 is} used. A new problem arises in that it must be provided on the personal computer 5 side.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to incorporate an improved fiber switching and selecting apparatus as shown in the above-mentioned proposed example into a conventional optical line maintenance system by adding or the like. In this case, the conventional fiber switching selection device and the proposed fiber switching selection device can be effectively operated by using the command from the conventional test control unit as they are without changing the circuit on the test control unit side. It is to provide an optical line maintenance system capable of performing.

[0028]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the following measures. That is,
The present invention includes a light source that generates a test light, and a plurality of measuring instruments including at least an optical power meter and a pulse tester, and a test control unit that outputs a command of an optical line to be measured from a plurality of optical lines. And, a plurality of receiving side optical fibers that communicate with the optical path of each core are arranged and arranged, a master optical fiber that communicates with the test control unit is provided on the side facing the optical fiber array group, and the master optical fiber is In the optical line maintenance system including an optical switch selecting device equipped with an optical switch that moves according to a command from the test control unit and is connected to a receiving optical fiber that communicates with the optical line of the command, A first type in which receiving side optical fibers leading to an input side and an output side of an optical fiber coupler module having a plurality of branch type optical fiber couplers optically coupled to each other are arranged And an array group of the receiving side optical fibers which is the same as that of the optical switch of the first embodiment, and a part of the receiving side optical fibers which is set in advance in the optical fiber array group does not go through an optical fiber coupler. An optical switch of the second type that communicates with the optical line to be measured, and a receiver that communicates only with the input side of an optical fiber coupler module that has a plurality of branch type optical fiber couplers that are optically coupled to each optical line of each core. An optical switch according to a third aspect formed by arranging side optical fibers, an optical switch according to a fourth aspect formed by arranging optical fibers on the receiving side that communicates only with the output side of the optical fiber coupler module, and the optical switch according to the third aspect. It has the same array of receiving side optical fibers as the switch, and some of the receiving side optical fibers of this optical fiber array group are connected to the optical line to be measured without passing through the optical fiber coupler. The optical switch of the fifth mode and an array group of the same receiving side optical fibers as the optical switch of the fourth mode are provided, and some of the receiving side optical fibers of this optical fiber array group are optical fiber couplers. Among the optical switches of the sixth mode that communicate with the optical line to be measured without passing through, a first fiber switching and selecting apparatus including the optical switch of either one of the first mode and the second mode, Any one of a second fiber switching selection device including an optical switch of either one of the optical switch of the third mode and the optical switch of the fifth mode, an optical switch of the fourth mode and an optical switch of the sixth mode. A third fiber switching and selecting device having an optical switch of either one side, and an optical fiber coupler module on a path from an optical line leading to the optical switches of the second and third fiber switching and selecting devices. Identification switch for identifying whether or not a tool is provided, and the optical switch of the second fiber switching selection device and the optical switch of the third fiber switching selection device are the third mode and the fourth mode. Or a combination of the optical switches of the fifth and sixth forms, wherein the test control unit has the optical switch of the first form when the optical switch of the fiber switching selection device is connected to the optical fiber coupler module. The optical switch command is output, and when the optical switch does not communicate with the optical fiber coupler module, the optical switch command of the second mode is output, and the second and third fiber switching selection devices are provided. Third
And the optical switch of the fourth mode is configured to perform a master optical fiber switching operation according to the command according to the command for the optical switch of the first mode. When the switch signal indicating that the optical fiber coupler module is not provided in the optical switch of the fiber switching selection device of No. 3, the test controller outputs the command for the optical switch of the second form to the fifth mode. Further, a means for solving the problem is provided by a configuration in which a command conversion unit that converts the command into a command suitable for the switch of the sixth mode and adds the command to the second and third fiber switching selection devices is provided.

In the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, a system provided with a conventional type first fiber switching / selecting device,
When the system is constructed by incorporating the second and third improved types of fiber switching and selecting devices, the first fiber switching and selecting device side is exactly the same as the conventional example.
When the optical switch of the first mode is equipped on the side of the first fiber switching / selecting device, the first side is selected from the side of the test controller.
When the command for the optical switch of the second mode is output, the operation of the optical switch is performed, and when the first fiber switching selection device is equipped with the optical switch of the second mode, the test controller The operation of the optical switch of the first fiber switching selecting device is performed by outputting a command for the optical switch of the second form from the side.

In driving the second and third fiber switching / selecting devices, first, the optical switch of the second fiber switching / selecting device and the optical signals of the third fiber switching / selecting device are driven by the switch signal of the identification switch. It is determined whether the optical fiber coupler module is connected to the switch. When the optical fiber coupler module is connected, the second fiber switching / selecting device is equipped with the optical switch of the third form, and the third fiber switching / selecting device is equipped with the optical switch of the fourth form. In this case, the test control unit outputs the command for the optical switch of the first mode, so that the second
And the switching operation of the third fiber switching selection device is smoothly performed.

When it is determined by the switch signal of the identification switch that the optical fiber coupler module is not connected to the optical switches of the second and third fiber switching / selecting devices, the determination result is received, The command conversion unit converts the command for the optical switch of the second mode applied from the test control unit side into a command suitable for the switches of the fifth and sixth modes, and outputs the light of the second and third fiber switching selection devices. As a result of being added to the switch, the second
The optical switch of the third fiber switching and selecting device smoothly operates based on the converted command.

As described above, according to the present invention, the command output from the test control unit is the same command as the conventional one regardless of whether the improved second and third fiber switching selection devices are incorporated. The output is sufficient, and the circuit change on the side of the test controller is not required, and the smooth optical switch operation of the system incorporating the improved fiber switching / selecting device is achieved.

[0033]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the embodiment, the same components as those in the conventional example and the proposed example are designated by the same reference numerals, and the duplicate description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 1 shows an optical line maintenance system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In this system, the test control unit 1 has the same configuration as the test control unit 1 of the conventional system shown in FIG. 9, and the test control unit 1 is connected to the test control unit 1 via the first and second master optical fibers 12 and 14. The first fiber switching / selecting device A ₁ , the second fiber switching / selecting device E ₁ via the first master optical fiber 12, and the third fiber switching / selecting device E ₁ via the second master optical fiber 14. ₂ are connected respectively.

The first fiber switching and selecting device A ₁ is similar to the conventional fiber switching and selecting device A ₁ shown in FIG. 9, and the second fiber switching and selecting device E ₁ is the fiber switching and selecting device shown in FIG. is similar to the selection device E _1, the third fiber switching selection device E ₂ is the same as fiber switching selection device E ₂ shown in FIG. 8 of the proposed example. That is, the first fiber switching selection device A ₁ is equipped with either one of the optical switch of the first mode shown in FIG. 4 and the optical switch of the second mode shown in FIG. the selection device E ₁ either one of the optical switch of the optical switch of the fifth embodiment shown in optical switch and Fig. 3 of the third embodiment is equipped shown in FIG. 2, the third fiber switching selection device E ₂ Figure The optical switch of any one of the optical switch of the fourth mode shown in FIG. 2 and the optical switch of the sixth mode shown in FIG. 3 is equipped. That is, the system of the present embodiment has the first fiber switching selection device A ₁ of the conventional system shown in FIG. 9 and the second fiber switching selection device E ₁ and the third fiber switching selection device E ₁ of the proposed system. The system configuration is such that a fiber switching selection device E ₂ is added.

The arrangements of the receiving side optical fibers 10 of the optical switch of the first mode and the optical switch of the second mode are the same, and the optical switch of the third mode and the optical switch of the fourth mode are the same. The configurations of the array groups of the receiving side optical fibers 10 of the optical switch of the fifth mode and the optical switch of the sixth mode are the same.

The optical switches provided in the second fiber switching selecting device E ₁ and the third fiber switching selecting device E ₂ are related to each other, and the second fiber switching selecting device E ₁ has an optical fiber coupler module. When an optical switch of the third type to which the input side optical fiber 20 of 18 'is connected is provided, a third fiber switching selecting device E
₂ is equipped with an optical switch of the fourth type to which the output side optical fiber 22 of the same optical fiber coupler module 18 'is connected, and the optical fiber coupler module is not connected to the second fiber switching selecting device E ₁ . When the optical switch of the fifth type is equipped, the optical switch of the sixth type to which the optical fiber coupler module is not connected is also installed in the third fiber switching selecting device E ₂ .

In the present embodiment, the second fiber switching / selecting device E ₁ is provided with the optical switch of the third type, and the third fiber switching / selecting device E ₂ is provided with the optical switch of the fourth type. Then, as shown in Figure 2,
No. No. 1 to No. When measuring the optical line to 8, the second fiber switching selection device _{E 1 (1), (2} ),
By adding the command numbers of (3), (4), (11), (12), (13), and (14), the first master optical fiber
12 is configured to move to the receiving optical fiber 10 of the commanded number, and (6), (7), (8), (9 to the third fiber switching / selecting device E ₂ side. ),
By adding the command numbers of (16), (17), (18), and (19), the second master optical fiber 14 is moved to and connected to the receiving optical fiber 10 of the commanded number. it is, as is apparent from comparison with the optical switch of the first embodiment of FIG. 4, at all using the same command and conventional fiber switching selection device a ₁ No. No. 1 to No. The measurement of the optical line 8 and the measurement of the output side of each optical fiber coupler 17 are performed. In addition, the No. measured by the fiber switching selection device A ₁ No. 1 to No. No. 8 measured with the optical line of No. 8 and the second and third fiber switching and selecting devices. No. 1 to No. The optical lines of No. 8 are not the same, and they are No. No. 1 to No. The optical lines up to 8 are shown. In other words, each optical line of the optical cable of several thousand cores is No. 1 to N
o. 8 is divided into groups of 8 cores, and the configuration of the optical switch of one group is shown in FIG. 4, and the configuration of the optical switch of the other 1 group of optical lines is shown in FIG.
The fiber switching selection device A shown in FIG.
₁ , E ₁ and E ₂ are connected by switching separate optical lines.

As is clear from a comparison between the command numbers shown in FIG. 4 and the command numbers shown in FIG. 2, the first fiber switching / selecting device A ₁ is equipped with the optical switch of the first form, and the second And a third fiber switching and selecting device.
When the optical switch of the fourth mode is provided, the optical fiber having the same core number can be measured by the same command (command number) as the command (command number) for the optical switch of the first mode. Done.

On the other hand, the second fiber switching / selecting device E ₁ is equipped with the optical switch of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 3, and the third fiber switching / selecting device E ₂ is provided with the sixth switch.
If the optical switch of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is used, the test controller 1 recognizes that the optical switch is not connected to the optical fiber coupler module 18 '. Although the command for the optical switch of the second mode corresponding to the switch is output, the command number of the optical switch shown in FIG. 5 and the command numbers of the optical switches of the fifth and sixth modes shown in FIG. As is clear from the comparison of the above, it becomes impossible to smoothly perform the switch switching operation of the optical switches of the fifth and sixth forms by the command for the optical switch of the second form.

That is, for example, No. No. 1 to No. When measuring the optical line of No. 4, the fiber switching selection device A
A command for the optical switch of the second mode is given to the ₁ side, (3),
It is sufficient to output (4), (6) and (7), but in the fifth and sixth optical switches shown in FIG. 3, No. 3 is issued in response to the commands (3) and (4). No. 1 and No. Although the optical line 2 can be measured, the optical line is not connected to the receiving optical fiber corresponding to the commands (6) and (7), and the commands (6) and (7) are used. No. 3 and No. It becomes impossible to measure the optical path of No. 4. Similarly, in the second embodiment of the optical switch shown in FIG. 5, No. 6, No. 7, No. When measuring 8 optical lines, (13), (14), (1
6) and (17) may be added, but the fifth command shown in FIG.
In the sixth embodiment of the optical switch, the optical line is not connected to the receiving side optical fiber 10 corresponding to the commands (13) and (14), and the No. 5 and No.
It becomes impossible to measure the optical path of No. 6.

In the present embodiment, in order to eliminate such inconvenience, one identification switch is used for each of the second and third pair of fiber switching selectors E ₁ and E ₂ by using an electric switch. disposed, when the optical fiber coupler module 18 'is detected that is not connected to the second and third optical switch fiber switching selection device E _1, E ₂ by a switch signal of the identification switch, the test controller The command conversion units for converting the commands for the optical switch of the second mode added from No. 1 are provided as the second and third commands, respectively.
It is provided for each pair of fiber switching selection devices E ₁ and E ₂ .

FIG. 6 shows an example of the circuit configuration for performing this command conversion.
Is shown in In (a) of the figure, the identification switch
From 33, for example, when the optical fiber coupler module 18 'is connected to the optical switches of the second and third pair of fiber switching selection devices E ₁ and E _2, an OFF signal,
When the optical fiber coupler module 18 'is not connected signals on is applied to the second and third fiber switching selection device E _1, the command conversion unit 34 provided in the E ₂ respectively. One identification switch 33 is provided for each of the second and third pair of fiber switching selection devices E ₁ and E _2, and the switch is initially turned on to select the second and third fiber switching selection devices E ₁ and E _2. when the optical fiber coupler module 18 'to the optical switch device E _1, E ₂ and connection completion, by previously tilting the identification switch 33 off side, light to the light switch identification switch 33 depending on whether on or off The command change unit 34 determines whether or not the fiber coupler module is connected.

The command conversion unit 34 stores command conversion data in a built-in memory in advance. For example, in the case of the switch form shown in FIG. 3, the command (6) becomes the command (11),
The command (7) is given to the command (12), the command (13) is given to the command (8), and the command (14) is given to the command (9). When the command conversion unit 34 receives a command for the switch of the second form from the personal computer 5 side of the test control unit 1 and an ON signal is applied from the identification switch 33, the command conversion unit 34 converts the input command based on the conversion data. and in addition to the command input unit 35, when the off signal is applied from the identification switch 33, the connection is an optical fiber coupler module 18 'in the second and third optical switch fiber switching selection device E _1, E ₂ However, it is determined that the command added from the test control unit 1 side is the command for the optical switch of the first mode, and the command input unit 35 adds the command to be input without command conversion. Command input section 35
Supplies a command added from the command conversion unit 34 to the drive control unit 36, the drive control unit 36 controls the movement of the master optical fibers 12, 14 in accordance with the added command, the master optical fiber 12,
14 is switched to the commanded receiving side optical fiber 10 and controlled.

In FIG. 6 (a), the second and third fiber switching / selecting devices E ₁ and E ₂ are provided with the command conversion units 34 separately, but as shown in FIG. 6 (b). It is also possible to configure the command converter 34 as a shared circuit for the fiber switching and selecting devices E ₁ and E ₂ .

The connection between the master optical fibers 12 and 14 and the receiving side optical fiber 10 is switched by a connector connection switching method (a connector is attached to the connecting end side of the receiving side optical fiber 10 and the master optical fibers 12 and 14 are connected in advance). (A method of connecting a connector on the connection end side of the master optical fiber side and moving the connector on the master optical fiber side to connect the command to the connector of the receiving side optical fiber 10), but in this embodiment, V A groove-type switch changeover mechanism is used.
FIG. 7 shows each fiber switching selection device A ₁ , E ₁ , E
Shows an embodiment of a fiber switching connection method which uses a V-groove of the master optical fiber 12, 14 and receiving side optical fiber 10 in _2. The receiving side optical fibers 10 are housed and fixed in V-grooves 26 arranged and formed in a predetermined pitch interval (equal pitch interval in the example of FIG. 7) on the upper surface of the fiber array member (substrate) 25. The master optical fibers 12 and 14 are provided on the side facing the optical fiber array group.

This master optical fiber has a moving stage.
It is fixedly mounted on 27, and the tip side of the master optical fiber is extended forward from the moving stage 27. Moving stage
Reference numeral 27 denotes a drive control unit that moves three-dimensionally in the X direction (horizontal direction), the Y direction (longitudinal direction), and the Z direction (forward / backward direction along the optical axis direction of the master optical fiber) by a drive mechanism (not shown). Controlled by 36.

Further, the moving stage 27 is provided with a fiber retainer 28 for pushing and holding the tip side of the master optical fiber into the V groove 26. This fiber retainer 28 has a rotating shaft.
The counterclockwise direction of the fiber pressing direction with 30 as the fulcrum, and the forward and reverse rotation of the clockwise direction of the fiber pressing release direction is freely possible, and the forward and reverse rotation is performed by an actuator (not shown), The operation of this actuator is also controlled by the drive control unit 36.

In the optical switch (fiber switching mechanism) of this embodiment, the command of the optical line to be measured, that is, the number of the receiving side optical fiber 10 of the master optical fiber is commanded from the side of the test controller 1. And the drive control unit 36
The feeding movement of the moving stage 27 is controlled by the feeding stage 27, and the master optical fiber is fed and moved on the same V groove as the receiving side optical fiber 10 of the commanded number. In this state, the fiber retainer 28 is rotated in the fiber retainer direction to accommodate and hold the tip end side of the master optical fiber in the V groove 26, thereby adjusting the receiving side optical fiber 10 of the connection partner and the master optical fiber. A heart is made to achieve the commanded connection between the receiving optical fiber and the master optical fiber.

In this way, the receiving side optical fiber of the connection partner
Every time the core number of 10 is commanded, the master optical fiber is sent and moved, the connection switching between the master optical fiber and the receiving side optical fiber 10 is sequentially performed, and the self-inspection of the optical line maintenance system and this OTDR4 after self-inspection
The measurement such as detection of a fault point of each optical line is performed using a measuring instrument such as.

According to the present embodiment, even when the fiber switching selection devices E ₁ and E ₂ of the above-described proposed example are additionally connected to the test control unit 1 of the conventional optical line maintenance system, the test control unit 1 side No need to change the circuit of
By outputting the same command number as that of the conventional example from the personal computer 5 side of the test control unit 1, not only the conventional first fiber switching and selecting device A ₁ but also the improved second and third additional fibers are selected. Fiber switching selection device E ₁ , E ₂
For this reason, it is possible to smoothly perform the switching connection operation of the master optical fiber, and it is extremely easy to introduce an improved fiber switching selection device into the conventional system.

Further, the optical fiber coupler module 1 is attached to the second and third fiber switching selection devices E ₁ and E _2.
When the optical switch 8'is not connected, the conventional command cannot be used as it is, but in this embodiment, the identification switch 33 is provided,
Second and third fiber switching selection devices E ₁ , E ₂
Automatically determines whether or not the optical fiber coupler module 18 'is connected to the optical switch equipped in, and when using the optical switch to which the optical fiber coupler module 18' is not connected, The command for the optical switch of the second form added from the test control unit 1 side is improved to the second type.
And a signal conversion (command conversion) in the command conversion unit 34 so as to match the optical switch on the side of the third fiber switching selection device.
Therefore, even when the second and third fiber switching selection devices E ₁ and E ₂ are equipped with an optical switch to which the optical fiber coupler module 18 'is not connected, the switch switching operation is performed smoothly. It becomes possible.

Moreover, the command conversion unit 34 and the identification switch
33 may be provided on the second and third fiber switching selection devices E ₁ and E ₂ to be newly added, and the test control unit 1 side does not need to be touched at all, so that the test control unit 1 side is large-scaled. It is possible to smoothly change from a conventional system to a more improved system without forcibly changing the device.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, but various embodiments can be adopted. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the optical lines of 8 fibers are treated as one group, but the number of optical lines to be divided into groups is 8.
It can be set to an appropriate number of hearts other than the heart.

[0054]

According to the present invention, the test control unit is configured to connect the first fiber switching selecting device, the second fiber switching selecting device, and the third fiber switching selecting device, and the first fiber switching selecting device is connected. Since the switch switching operations of the optical switches of the second fiber switching selecting device and the third fiber switching selecting device can be performed by the same command as the command added to the fiber switching selecting device, for example, the first command Even when the improved second and third fiber switching and selecting devices are incorporated in the conventional optical line maintenance system in which the fiber switching and selecting device is used, the improved fiber switching and selecting device is installed in the conventional type. Since it can be operated by issuing the same command as the command of the fiber switching selection device of No. 1, And deployment and it is possible to smoothly into the third fiber switching selection device improved system incorporating.

Moreover, since it is not necessary to change the circuit on the test control unit side, it is extremely easy to add an improved fiber switching selection device.

Further, in the case of an optical switch in which the optical fiber coupler module is not connected to the fiber switching selection device introduced as the improved type device, the command output from the test control unit side is used. However, in the present invention, an optical fiber coupler module is provided in the optical switches of the second and third fiber switching selecting devices. Whether or not the optical fiber coupler module is connected can be determined by the identification switch, and when the optical fiber coupler module is not connected, the command applied from the test controller to the second and third fiber switching selection devices is converted into a command. Part to fit the optical switches of the improved second and third fiber switching selectors Since converting, by outputting the same command and the command of the first fiber switching selection device using an optical switch the optical fiber coupler module is not connected from the test controller side from the test control unit side,
It is possible to accurately and smoothly perform the switch switching operation of the optical switches on the second and third fiber switching selection devices.

In addition, the identification switch and the command conversion unit may be provided on the second and third fiber switching / selecting device sides, and it is not necessary to modify the test control unit side that issues a command. It is extremely easy to add the improved second and third fiber switching / selecting devices equipped with the command conversion unit to the conventional system, and the transition from the conventional system to the complete switching to the new system. It is possible to achieve an epoch-making effect that it can sufficiently cope with a system change.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an optical switch configuration of third and fourth forms used in the embodiment example.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing optical switch configurations of fifth and sixth modes equipped in the second and third fiber selection switching devices of the same embodiment example.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of an optical switch according to a first mode example equipped in a first fiber switching selecting device according to the same mode embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an optical switch configuration of a second mode example which is also installed in the first fiber switching selection device of the same embodiment example instead of the optical switch of the first mode example.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a command conversion circuit in the example of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a switching drive unit of various optical switches adopted in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an improved optical line maintenance system proposed by the present inventor.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional optical line maintenance system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Test control unit 10 Receiving side optical fiber 12 First master optical fiber 14 Second master optical fiber 18, 18a, 18b, 18 'Optical fiber coupler module A ₁ First fiber switching and selecting device E ₁ Second fiber Switching selection device E ₂ Third fiber switching selection device 33 Identification switch 34 Command conversion unit

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Naoki Nakao 3-19-3 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Inside Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Takashi Ebihara 3-19-3 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo No. within Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A test control including a light source for generating a test light and a plurality of measuring instruments including at least an optical power meter and a pulse tester, and outputting a command of an optical line to be measured from a plurality of optical lines. Section, a plurality of receiving side optical fibers that communicate with the optical path of each core are arranged, and a master optical fiber that communicates with the test control section is provided on the side facing the optical fiber array group, and this master optical fiber is In an optical line maintenance system including an optical switch selecting device equipped with an optical switch that moves in response to a command from the test control unit and is connected to a receiving side optical fiber that communicates with the optical line of the command, A first optical fiber coupler module having a plurality of branched optical fiber couplers optically coupled to each optical line, in which receiving side optical fibers communicating with an input side and an output side are arranged. Mode optical switch and an array group of the same receiving side optical fibers as the optical switch of the first mode, and some receiving side optical fibers of this optical fiber array group do not go through an optical fiber coupler. The optical switch of the second type that communicates with the optical line to be measured, and the optical fiber coupler module having a plurality of branch type optical fiber couplers optically coupled to each optical line of each core communicates only with the input side. An optical switch according to a third aspect formed by arranging receiving side optical fibers, an optical switch according to a fourth aspect formed by arranging receiving side optical fibers communicating only on the output side of the optical fiber coupler module, and the optical switch according to the third aspect. An array group of receiving side optical fibers same as the optical switch is provided, and a part of a predetermined receiving side optical fiber of this optical fiber array group is connected to an optical line to be measured without passing through an optical fiber coupler. The optical switch according to the fifth aspect of the invention and the same array group of the receiving side optical fibers as the optical switch of the fourth aspect, and a part of the receiving side optical fibers which are set in advance in the optical fiber array group are optical fiber couplers. A first fiber switching and selecting device including an optical switch of one of the first and second modes, among the optical switches of the sixth mode communicating with an optical line to be measured without passing through A second fiber switching selection device comprising an optical switch of any one of the optical switch of the third mode and the optical switch of the fifth mode, and an optical switch of the fourth mode and an optical switch of the sixth mode. A third fiber switching / selecting device having an optical switch of one of the forms, and an optical fiber coupler in a path from an optical line leading to the optical switches of the second and third fiber switching / selecting devices. An identification switch for identifying whether or not a module is interposed, and the optical switch of the second fiber switching selecting device and the optical switch of the third fiber switching selecting device are the third mode and the fourth mode. Or a combination of the optical switches of the fifth and sixth forms, wherein the test control unit has the optical switch of the first form when the optical switch of the fiber switching selection device is connected to the optical fiber coupler module. The optical switch command is output, and when the optical switch does not communicate with the optical fiber coupler module, the optical switch command of the second mode is output, and the second and third fiber switching selection devices are provided. With respect to the optical switches of the third and fourth forms, the master optical fiber is cut according to the command for the optical switch of the first form according to the command. And a switch signal indicating that the optical fiber coupler module is not provided to the optical switches of the second and third fiber switching selectors by the identification switch. A command conversion unit that converts the command for the optical switch of the second mode output from the test control unit into a command compatible with the switches of the fifth and sixth modes and adds the command to the second and third fiber switching selection devices is provided. An optical line maintenance system characterized by being provided.