Gigabit Ethernet Analyzer for Optical Time Domain Reflectometer

Abstract

This invention relates to a fiber optic fiber testing device presented in an app that compares three fiber link parameters against a table of specifications required in order for that fiber to transmit data at a particular speed. The invention presents a convenient ‘Pass’ or ‘Fail’ result for each parameter tested that immediately verifies whether the fiber being tested will meet the minimum basic criteria for transmission of data at a particular bandwidth speed, in accordance with that particular fiber manufacturer's specifications.

Claims

1-9. (canceled)

10. In an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) of the type configured to have a port to attach to an optical fiber and to impose a light pulse onto the fiber and measure the time and amplitude of light reflected back along the fiber and thereby measure distance (length) of the fiber, attenuation of the light along the fiber, and optical return loss (ORL) of the fiber, said OTDR having a display screen to display test results of said fiber; the improvements wherein the OTDR includes data memory, said memory being pre-loaded with a table of acceptable distance, attenuation, and ORL values for each of a multiplicity of fiber types of a plurality of optical fiber manufacturers; a mechanism to permit a user to call up from said table and display a selected one of said fiber types, and display the fiber type on said screen; and a program functionality that matches distance value, attenuation value and optical return loss value measured by said OTDR for said optical fiber with manufacturer's acceptable values, in said stored table, of distance, attenuation and optical return loss corresponding to the selected fiber type; and providing a PASS indication on said display screen when said measured values satisfy said stored values; and providing a FAIL indication on said screen when one or more of said measured values fails to satisfy the corresponding stored value.

11. The OTDR of claim 10, wherein, when said program functionality provides said FAIL indication on said screen, the program functionality also displays on said screen which of said measured values fails to satisfy the corresponding stored value.

12. The OTDR of claim 10, wherein said data memory of said OTDR is adapted for storing measured value results of each test as well as said pre-loaded table of acceptable distance, attenuation, and return loss data for the selected fiber type.

13. The OTDR of claim 10, wherein the stored values in said pre-loaded table of acceptable distance, attenuation, and return loss data are technical data defining critical minimums as established from manufacturers of said cable types.

14. The OTDR of claim 10, wherein said program functionality in the OTDR presents on said screen thereof an input key for the user to choose the fiber manufacturer and fiber type, and an input key to select bandwidth capacity to be tested for the optical fiber.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a flowchart displaying the ease of use of the steps the user takes in order to test and evaluate the specifications of the fiber.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a sample showing of the application's screen prompting the user to choose a fiber cable type, the manufacturer of that fiber, the core size, and the cladding size.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a sample showing of the application's screen prompting the user to choose what gigabit speed to test the fiber cable against.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a sample showing of the app's screen that displays the results of the OTDR testing.

SPECIFICATION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 . . . is a flowchart displaying the ease of use of the steps the user takes in order to test and evaluate the specifications of the fiber. The user simply attaches the fiber cable to the OTDR for testing, selects the fiber type that is going to be analyzed, and selects the data speed and protocol that the cable is to be tested to. The app utilizes the pre-loaded information, and the OTDR's length, attenuation, and optical return loss (ORL) measurements to determine whether the fiber will pass or fail the manufacturer's specifications set for that particular fiber and the desired data rate. The app will display a “Pass or “Fail” test result for distance, attenuation, and optical return loss, enabling the user to easily determine whether the fiber they are working with has the ability to support the desired data speeds.

[0023] FIG. 2 . . . is a sample showing of the app's screen that prompts the user to choose a fiber cable type, the manufacturer of that fiber, the core size, and the cladding size. This information can be quickly entered and will enable the app to test against that specific manufacturer's cable specifications.

[0024] FIG. 3 . . . is a sample showing of the app's screen that prompts the user to choose what gigabit speed to test the fiber cable against. This screen enables the user to determine whether the fiber cable will support the desired gigabit speed.

[0025] FIG. 4 . . . is a sample showing of the app's screen that displays the results of the OTDR testing. FIG. 4 is an example of what the app screen would display if the cable passed all three tests—distance, attenuation, and back reflection—and satisfied the manufacturer's specifications to meet that particular bandwidth speed. This also shows the ability to save the test results within the app for later viewing. FIG. 4 demonstrates the clarity and simplicity with which the app displays these test results.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0026] The Gigabit Ethernet Analyzer is an application which may be incorporated in numerous devices, for example in an OTDR or a power meter and light source, or any fiber optic test equipment that measures distance, attenuation, and optical return loss (ORL) values.

[0027] App Launch Process/Steps User Takes: The app contains easily selectable settings to select fiber type and fiber manufacturer with desired data rate and protocols, for example, Ethernet and fiber link. The steps the user takes in order to perform the testing is seen in the flowchart of FIG. 1.

[0028] Information Loaded in OTDR App: The app is pre-loaded and contains all criteria that selected manufacturer publishes to meet minimal distance, attenuation, and ORL requirements to transmit defined data rate for protocol. App can be updated with additional manufacturing specifications as well through various means. One way to achieve this is by downloading additional specifications over the network. The cable specifications appear on the app screen as in FIG. 2, allowing the user to choose what manufacturer and cable type is being tested. FIG. 3 demonstrates the screen on which the user is able to choose what bandwidth to test against.

[0029] Information Derived from Testing: The app compares the measured values of distance, attenuation, and ORL produced by the OTDR and creates a pass/fail status for each, as well as a total overall pass/fail that is determined from those three criteria.

[0030] Ease of Viewing of Test Results: The app provides an output display of a “Pass” status for the fiber protocol and data rate tested provided that distance, attenuation, and ORL meet the manufacturer's minimum criteria for that particular fiber, as demonstrated in FIG. 4. Each criterion that failed is marked with a “Fail” status.

[0031] Ability to Save Data and Test Results: The app is capable of storing various data types. The ability to store and format test results in various formats for each individual fiber tested is provided to the user in a Qualification Report. The way in which this information is presented can be altered to suit user preferences. Since testing requires multiple fibers, the ability to identify each fiber tested and recall is made possible. The failed fiber may be repaired and a new test may be run. The new acceptable ‘Pass’ report can replace the old failed report in order to provide assurance to customers that the fiber does perform to acceptable qualifications.