TEST METHOD FOR A NETWORK ELEMENT OF AN OPTICAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND NETWORK ELEMENT THEREFOR WITH TEST MODULE

摘要

A network element (NE) of an optical communication system is comprised of a chassis into which different modules (D1-D3, S1-S8, X1-X12) and at least one auxiliary module (DS, SS) can be inserted, wherein the modules are optically connected via optical waveguides. Some of the modules (D1-D3, DS, S1-S8, SS) include at least one laser. There is also provided a method for testing these optical connections by sequentially switching the lasers of the modules (D1-D3, DS, S1-S8, SS) off and on, and by measuring on the subsequent modules with the help of detectors (DET) which are located in the modules (S1-S8, SS, X1-X12) and have optical inputs (PORT1, PORT2), if a signal loss has occurred. A memory in the network element (NE) can also include a program module which can be implemented in a control device with a microprocessor, for executing the test method.