Method and apparatus for obtaining status information concerning an in-service optical transmission line

摘要

A method and apparatus is provided for obtaining status information concerning an optical transmission path. The method begins by generating a cw probe signal having a frequency that is swept over a prescribed frequency range in a prescribed time period. The cw probe signal is transmitted over the optical path and a returned COTDR signal in which status information concerning the optical path is embodied is received over the optical path. A predetermined frequency is detected within the prescribed frequency range of the returned COTDR signal to obtain the status information.