METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TESTING FOR DEFECTS IN A MULTIPATH OPTICAL NETWORK

摘要

A method and system for testing an optical network for defects in multiple light paths are presented. A pulsed monitoring light signal is transmitted in the network, and reflected by encoders in each light path. The encoders encode the light signal according to encoding functions having a low cross-correlation to each other. The return light signal from all light paths is decoded, either optically or electronically, according to decoding functions correlated to each of the encoding functions, and analysed to determine if a defect is present in any given light path. According to some embodiments, the location of the defect along the light path may also be determined.