Coherent probe and optical service channel systems and methods for optical networks

摘要

The present disclosure provides dynamic performance monitoring systems and methods for optical networks to ascertain optical network health in a flexible and accurate manner. The present invention introduces accurate estimations for optical channel performance characteristics based either on existing channels or with a dynamic optical probe configured to measure characteristics on unequipped wavelengths. Advantageously, the dynamic performance monitoring systems and methods introduce the ability to determine physical layer viability in addition to logical layer viability.

主权项

1. An optical system configured to perform Optical Service Channel (OSC) applications, the optical system comprising:
a coherent optical transmitter; a coherent optical receiver, wherein the coherent optical transmitter and the coherent optical receiver utilize a low bit rate data communication commensurate with the OSC applications; a digital processing block operatively associated with the coherent optical transmitter and the coherent optical receiver, wherein the digital processing block operates the coherent optical transmitter and the coherent optical receiver in an OSC mode utilizing an optical signal for data communication between adjacent optical nodes over a transmission fiber and selectively switches operation of the coherent optical transmitter and the coherent optical receiver from the OSC mode to an optical probe mode for span characterization of the transmission fiber to measure a plurality of characteristics of the transmission fiber; a first optical device connected to the coherent optical receiver and a first optical fiber; and a second optical device connected to the coherent optical transmitter and a second optical fiber, wherein each of the first optical device and the second optical device comprise a filter configured to pass a signal operating at an OSC wavelength in the OSC mode and to reflect any other signal other than the OSC wavelength in the probe mode.