Exfo Inc.

Stéphane Perron

Bernard Ruchet

Michel Leclerc

Michel Leblanc

Jean-Sébastien Martel

Eric Thomassin

Mario L'heureux

Fronthaul monitoring systems and methods include a performing protocol testing, via a protocol layer acquisition module, of a protocol layer signal for analysis thereof to identify issues; performing optical physical layer monitoring via an optical physical layer acquisition module to identify optical physical layer issues; and configuring an optical switch to switch an input port connected to the protocol layer acquisition module and the optical physical layer acquisition module over different links of the plurality of links wherein a test coordinator software module is configured to manage the optical switch to coordinate the optical protocol layer analysis of a link and the optical physical layer testing of the link.

Fronthaul remote access and monitoring systems and methods to test fiber optic infrastructure and RF spectrum

Fronthaul monitoring systems and methods include a Radio Frequency (RF) analysis module configured to receive an optical RF signal for RF testing thereof; a fiber monitoring module configured to perform fiber monitoring testing; an optical switch configured to switch a port connected to the RF analysis module and the fiber monitoring module between one or more Remote Radio Heads (RRH); and a test coordinator software module configured to coordinate the RF testing and the fiber monitoring testing. The optical RF signal is at different wavelengths than a fiber test signal for the fiber monitoring testing, such that the RF testing and the fiber monitoring testing can be performed concurrently.

An OTDR device and method for characterizing one or more events in an optical fiber link are provided. A plurality of light acquisitions is performed. For each light acquisition, test light pulses are propagated in the optical fiber link and the corresponding return light signals from the optical fiber link are detected. The light acquisitions are performed under different acquisition conditions, for example using different pulsewidths or wavelengths. Parameters characterizing the event are derived using the detected return signal from at least two of the plurality of light acquisitions.

Multiple-acquisition OTDR method and device

The reflectometric method for measuring an optical loss value of an optical fiber link generally comprises: obtaining at least one bias value being indicative of a bias induced by differing backscattering characteristics of a first optical fiber length and a second optical fiber length; propagating at least one test signal serially into the first optical fiber length, the optical fiber link and the second optical fiber length; monitoring at least one return signal resulting respectively from the propagation of the at least one test signal; and determining the optical loss value based on the at least one return signal and the at least one bias value.

Method and system for measuring an optical loss value of an optical fiber link

A safe-mode OTDR method for characterizing an optical fiber link is provided, as well as an OTDR apparatus operating under such a safe mode. The method includes performing OTDR acquisitions along the fiber link using an OTDR apparatus connected at a proximal end of the optical fiber link, and operating under OTDR acquisition conditions that have been deemed safe for a communication device at a distal end of the fiber link. The obtained reflectometric trace, representing a proximal portion of the optical fiber link, is used to determine a partial-link loss value associated with the proximal portion of the fiber link. Modified acquisition conditions that are safe for the communication device are determined based on the partial-link loss value and on loss-related maximum rating parameters for the communication device. The process is repeated using the modified OTDR acquisition conditions until the end of the link has been reached.

Safe-mode OTDR method

Multiple-acquisition otdr method and device

A method of distinguishing a wavelength-dependent reflective element (HRD) from wavelength-independent events in an optical network, the reflective element (HRD) being highly-reflective at a first predetermined wavelength (&#x3bb;) and significantly less reflective at least one other predetermined wavelength (&#x3bb;), comprising the steps of: connecting the wavelength-dependent reflective element (HRD) to said optical path at a first position, and, using an optical time domain reflectometer () connected to said optical path at a position remote from said reflective element, launching into said optical path light at said first wavelength (&#x3bb;) and at said second wavelength (&#x3bb;), detecting corresponding backreflected light from said optical paths and obtaining therefrom first and second OTDR traces (OTDR-&#x3bb;, OTDR-&#x3bb;) corresponding to said first (&#x3bb;) and second (&#x3bb;) wavelengths, respectively, of detected backreflected light as a function of optical distance from said point; comparing the first and second OTDR traces to distinguish a peak corresponding to said wavelength-dependent reflective element from peaks corresponding to said wavelength-independent reflective events; and outputting at least one parameter value of the distinguished peak as a measure of a parameter of said wavelength-dependent reflective element.

Method and apparatus for deriving parameters of optical paths in optical networks using two-wavelength OTDR and a wavelength-dependent reflective element

In order to simplify and expedite identification of fibers (DF, . . . , DF) in multi-fiber cables (DF, DF), a method of identifying each of a plurality of fibers includes the steps of launching light into each of the fibers using an OTDR and applying a unique signature to each resulting OTDR trace by means of an event feature box comprising signature-applying means (EB) connected to a distal end of the fibers. The resulting plurality of OTDR traces have different signatures, enabling identification of each of the fibers by detecting its signature in the corresponding OTDR trace.

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Ste-Hélène-de-Breakeyville, Canada

Stéphane Perron