Multi-channel optical signal monitoring device and method

摘要

A light detector measures optical power of light incident thereon. Using a beam steering device that is rotatable about two orthogonal axes, wavelength components of different channels are scanned onto the light detector in accordance with programmable parameters. The programmable parameters specify the light detector to which the wavelength components are directed, the order the wavelength components are monitored by the light detector, and the time duration over which each of the wavelength components is monitored by the light detector.

主权项

1. A method of monitoring optical channels of an optical signal, comprising:
retrieving parameters for monitoring the optical channels including a first time period and a second time period; transmitting the optical signal through an optical port; wavelength dispersing the optical signal; rotating a light reflecting element about a first axis to select a first portion of the wavelength dispersed optical signal to direct to a light detector comprising a plurality of photodiodes; rotating the light reflecting element about a second axis to select a photodiode from the plurality of photodiodes to measure an optical power of the first portion of the wavelength dispersed optical signal for a first time duration equal to the first time period; rotating the light reflecting element about the first axis to select a second portion of the wavelength dispersed optical signal to direct to the light detector; and rotating the light reflecting element about the second axis to select a photodiode from the plurality of photodiodes to measure an optical power of the second portion of the wavelength dispersed optical signal for a second time duration equal to the second time period.