WO1994021997A1 - Optical responder - Google Patents
Optical responder Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1994021997A1 WO1994021997A1 PCT/GB1994/000571 GB9400571W WO9421997A1 WO 1994021997 A1 WO1994021997 A1 WO 1994021997A1 GB 9400571 W GB9400571 W GB 9400571W WO 9421997 A1 WO9421997 A1 WO 9421997A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- optical
- signals
- level
- ratio
- monitor
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
- A61B18/18—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves
- A61B18/20—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves using laser
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01M11/00—Testing of optical apparatus; Testing structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for
- G01M11/30—Testing of optical devices, constituted by fibre optics or optical waveguides
- G01M11/31—Testing of optical devices, constituted by fibre optics or optical waveguides with a light emitter and a light receiver being disposed at the same side of a fibre or waveguide end-face, e.g. reflectometers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
- A61B2018/00636—Sensing and controlling the application of energy
Definitions
- This invention relates to optical responders and more specifically to responders which are adapted to detect faults in optical transmission systems utilising high optical power densities, e.g. systems using optoelectronic lasers and components such as optical amplifiers.
- the power of an optical system is usually only a few milliwatts. For example, powers of 5 milliwatts are common but few systems achieve powers above 50 milliwatts.
- the waveguides produce beams which have small diameters, e.g. below 10 microns. Therefore the power density is high since 50 milliwatts concentrated into a circle of radius 5 ⁇ m gives a power loading of 4 x 10 8 watts/m 2 or 40,000 watts/cm 2 .
- Devices with powers above 50 milliwatts will, of course, give even higher power densities.
- An optical telecommunications system usually comprises an optical signal generator or an optical amplifier which is connected to an output fibre. After a short run, e.g. less than 10 metres, this fibre is joined to a connector to facilitate linkage to a further optical system, e.g. telecommunications transmission fibre. If this connector becomes separated an optical beam with the power densities mentioned above will emerge. This beam would be dangerous if it impinged on an engineer, especially if it impinged on an eye. This becomes a substantial risk when it is necessary to separate a connector, e.g. for maintenance or servicing.
- automatic remedial action follows the detection of a default
- the reflected signals are, of course, derived from the input signals and it is to be expected that the power of the reflected signals will be closely related to the power of the input signals. In many cases the power of the reflected signals will be proportional to the power of the input signals from which they are derived. Therefore it is preferred to measure the level of the reflected signals as a ratio with the input signals. When this ratio changes, this is taken as an indication of the default. In the case of modulated signals, it is appropriate to take a time average over a few periods of modulation to reduce the possibility that variations due to modulation are mistaken for changes due to a default.
- This invention monitors the level of reflections returned from the system. These reflections may arise from all pans of the system. However, the path from the optoelectronic device to the first connector is usually a continuous fibre so, if this path produces any reflections at all, they will have a very low level. In any case defaults which occur outside this path are unlikely to affect the level of reflections occurring therein. However, the downstream system is larger and more complicated and this part of the system will usually produce a low level of reflections which are returned to the input (and monitored in accordance with this invention). In addition there is also a possibility of reflections occurring from the connector whether this is linked or separated. It is now appropriate to comment on the nature of these reflections but it is necessary to distinguish between two types of reflector, e.g. oblique connectors and simple connectors.
- the surfaces of the simple connector are so configured that reflections, if any, will be acquired by the waveguide and returned to the input.
- a glass-to-glass interface is formed and the connector will pass optical signals without substantial reflection but, as mentioned above, there will be a low level of reflections from downstream.
- a simple connector When separated a simple connector will produce substantial reflections which are acquired by the waveguide and returned to the input. Hence the level of reflected signals will rise on separation.
- the threshold is set between lower and higher and levels above the threshold indicated a default state.
- This invention includes both monitors and optical devices which comprise an optoelectronic means for generating optical signals and the monitor. Preferably such a monitor is functionally connected to the optoelectronic device so as to disable it or reduce its power when a default condition is recognised.
- the optoelectronic device may be a signal generator or an optical amplifier. Both semiconductor devices and fibre amplifiers are included.
- the invention also includes the method of monitoring an optical transmission channel for an indication of a potentially dangerous situation, which method comprises monitoring the level of reflections returned from said channel, preferably by comparing said reflections to the input to the channel, and initiating corrective action when the monitored level changes.
- the device shown in the Figure comprises a high power optical source 10 which is provided with electrical power by a unit 11.
- the source 10 is connected to an output 13, e.g. a fibre tail, via a coupler 12.
- the invention is applicable to a wide range of high power sources and the source 10 may be a semiconductor laser which is a primary generator of an optical signal.
- the high power source 10 may be an optical amplifier such as a semiconductor amplifier or a fibre amplifier.
- the soturce 10 is an amplifier it is necessary to provide an input port 14, e.g. a fibre tail, to provide attenuated optical signals which are amplified in the amplifier 10 and then provided to the output port 13.
- the important fact is that source 10 provides a high power, e.g. 50-200 mW optical signal to output port 13.
- the device shown in the Figure includes a monitor generally indicated by the numeral 20.
- the monitor 20 receives reflected signals from the input port 13 (i.e. from an optical channel to which the input port 13 is connected).
- the purpose of the monitor 20 is to disable or reduce the power output of the source 10 on detecting a fault as described below.
- the monitor 20 may issue an alarm but this optional extra is not illustrated in the Figure.
- the monitor 20 comprises detectors 15A and 15B each of which is connected to the coupler 12.
- the coupler 12 separates returned signals from transmitted signals and it provides a proportion of the returned signals to detector 15A and a proportion of the high power output source 10 to detector 15B.
- the monitor 20 also comprises two logarithmic amplifiers namely amplifier 16A connected to detector 15A and amplifier 16B connected to detector 15B. The outputs of the two logarithmic amplifiers are connected to a differential amplifier 17.
- the effect of the circuitry just described is as follows.
- the logarithmic amplifiers 16A and 16B effectively take the logarithms of the two detected optical levels and the differential amplifier 17 subtracts these two logarithmic signals. Since the subtraction of logarithms is equivalent to division the output of differential amplifier 17 represents the ratio of the reflected signals received in the output port 13 and the output of the high power source 10.
- the reflections from any optical channel to which the output port 13 is connected depend upon the state of the channel. Under normal operation the reflections should have low intensity because this is the normal operational state of a well designed transmission channel. However, if a connector (such the connector 21 schematically illustrated in the Figure) becomes separated the nature of the optical channel changes and hence the level of reflected signals also changes.
- the output of the differential amplifier 17 is provided to a comparator 19 which receives a threshold signal from reference 18.
- a comparator 19 receives a threshold signal from reference 18.
- the reference 18 provides a low level signal as the threshold to the comparator 19.
- the comparator 19 produces an output signal indicative of die default state.
- the reference 18 provides a high level signal and the comparator 19 indicates a default state when the signal from differential amplifier rises above the threshold.
- the comparator 19 has two thresholds and it provides a default signal when the output from differential amplifier falls below the lower threshold or rises above the higher threshold. It is a common feature of all three cases that the comparator 19 produces a default signal when the reflections change to an abnormal state.
- the output of the comparator 19 is returned to the power unit 11 so that the power to the source 10 is terminated whereby the optical of the source is also terminated.
- the output 13 receives no more optical power and any dangers associated therewith are eliminated.
- the output from the comparator 19 may simply reduce the power provided to the source 10 so that the optical power is reduced to safe, but non zero, levels.
- the device is designed to terminate the power supply to source 10 then it is appropriate that the trigger is such that the power remains off until it is restored by an engineer. Otherwise, since no signals will be detected in either detector 15A or 15B once the power is off, there would still be a potential danger of optical power being inadvertently restored.
- detectors 15A and 15B will still receive signals. The absolute level of both signals will, of course, be reduced but the ratio will remain constant and hence the device will be held in the default state.
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Surgery (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
- Otolaryngology (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Medical Informatics (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Optical Communication System (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU62616/94A AU6261694A (en) | 1993-03-24 | 1994-03-21 | Optical responder |
EP94909989A EP0642659A1 (en) | 1993-03-24 | 1994-03-21 | Optical responder |
JP6520816A JPH08501157A (en) | 1993-03-24 | 1994-03-21 | Optical Responder |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9306090.3 | 1993-03-24 | ||
GB939306090A GB9306090D0 (en) | 1993-03-24 | 1993-03-24 | Optical responder |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1994021997A1 true WO1994021997A1 (en) | 1994-09-29 |
Family
ID=10732649
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB1994/000571 WO1994021997A1 (en) | 1993-03-24 | 1994-03-21 | Optical responder |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0642659A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH08501157A (en) |
AU (1) | AU6261694A (en) |
GB (1) | GB9306090D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1994021997A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN1305243C (en) * | 2003-05-09 | 2007-03-14 | 中兴通讯股份有限公司 | Testing method and apparatus for automatic light power reducing process time of dense wave divided multiplexing system |
WO2008017213A1 (en) * | 2006-08-04 | 2008-02-14 | Zte Corporation | An intellectualized line condition detection and protection apparatus and method for high powered output device |
JP5715181B2 (en) * | 2013-04-22 | 2015-05-07 | アンリツ株式会社 | Optical pulse test equipment |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS60181629A (en) * | 1984-02-29 | 1985-09-17 | Mochida Pharmaceut Co Ltd | Damaged part detector for optical fiber |
US4543477A (en) * | 1982-04-19 | 1985-09-24 | Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Safety device for detecting trouble in optical transmission fibers |
EP0245552A1 (en) * | 1986-05-16 | 1987-11-19 | GV Medical, Inc. | Laser catheter device |
WO1990002324A1 (en) * | 1988-08-18 | 1990-03-08 | Aesculap Ag | Process and device for testing optical fibres transmitting light energy |
DE4032967A1 (en) * | 1989-10-17 | 1991-04-18 | Haas Laser Systems Ag | Monitoring optical fibres conducting high power laser beams - measuring intensity losses before and after beam passes through fibre by photosensors |
-
1993
- 1993-03-24 GB GB939306090A patent/GB9306090D0/en active Pending
-
1994
- 1994-03-21 WO PCT/GB1994/000571 patent/WO1994021997A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1994-03-21 JP JP6520816A patent/JPH08501157A/en active Pending
- 1994-03-21 EP EP94909989A patent/EP0642659A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1994-03-21 AU AU62616/94A patent/AU6261694A/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4543477A (en) * | 1982-04-19 | 1985-09-24 | Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Safety device for detecting trouble in optical transmission fibers |
JPS60181629A (en) * | 1984-02-29 | 1985-09-17 | Mochida Pharmaceut Co Ltd | Damaged part detector for optical fiber |
EP0245552A1 (en) * | 1986-05-16 | 1987-11-19 | GV Medical, Inc. | Laser catheter device |
WO1990002324A1 (en) * | 1988-08-18 | 1990-03-08 | Aesculap Ag | Process and device for testing optical fibres transmitting light energy |
DE4032967A1 (en) * | 1989-10-17 | 1991-04-18 | Haas Laser Systems Ag | Monitoring optical fibres conducting high power laser beams - measuring intensity losses before and after beam passes through fibre by photosensors |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 10, no. 30 (P - 426)<2087> 5 February 1986 (1986-02-05) * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB9306090D0 (en) | 1993-05-12 |
EP0642659A1 (en) | 1995-03-15 |
JPH08501157A (en) | 1996-02-06 |
AU6261694A (en) | 1994-10-11 |
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