Abstract: A system and method of monitoring and testing the integrity of a dedicated pair of optical fibers extending between a telecommunications provider to a customer facility through the optical fiber network, of the telecommunications provider. The system contains an optical transmission module, a monitoring module, and a first wavelength division multiplexing module which are located at the telecommunication provider's facility. A second wavelength division multiplexer module is located at or just prior to the customer's facility. The optical transmission module introduces test signals into the first dedicated optical fiber and which travels to the customer facility through the optical fiber network. At the customer facility, the test signal is looped into the second dedicated optical fiber. The test signal then returns to the telecommunications provider's facility, wherein the test signal is received and processed.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the optical loss characteristics of optical fibers in an optical fiber network. An optical transmission module is provided. The optical transmission module produces a light signal and an electrical signal that contains data regarding the characteristics of the light signal being generated. The light signal output of the optical transmitter module is connected to the input of a calibrated optical switch. The outputs of the optical switch are connected to the optical fibers that are to be tested. At the opposite ends of the optical fibers, a second optical switch is provided. The second optical switch connects the various optical fibers to a monitor module. The monitor module detects the light signal transmitted by the optical transmitter module through the various optical fibers. The monitor module converts the received light signal into a corresponding electrical signal. A systems controller is coupled to both the optical transmitter module and the monitor module.

Abstract: An assembly for use in a fiber administration system that retroactively adds a fiber location trace ability to the fiber administration system. The assembly includes an improved connector module that has a receptacle formed near a plurality of optical connector ports. An upgrade tracing module is provided that fits into the receptacle and attaches to the connector module. The upgrade tracing module contains a plurality of lights. When the upgrade tracing module is connected to the connector module, the lights of the upgrade tracing module or oriented near each of the optical connector ports. The upgrade tracing module connects to the systems controller of the fiber administration system through the connector module. As such, the systems controller of the fiber administration system is capable of selectively lighting the lights and identifying a specific optical connector port.

Abstract: The present invention is a module for use in an optical fiber administration system, or a dedicated system. The module contains both an optical transmitter and an optical monitor, wherein the module transmits a test signal over a fiber optic network and receives back that same signal through a different fiber in the fiber optic network. By both sending and receiving the test signal, the integrity of different paths in the optical fiber network can be determined in a space efficient manner. The module contains a microprocessor. The microprocessor reads data regarding the test signal as it is transmitted and that same test signal as it is received. This data may be read to an external shelf controller. The shelf controller utilizes the data from the microprocessor in the analysis of fiber optic loop conditions as well as the laser itself.

Abstract: A system an method for managing wire leads that extend from a circuit board of a similar electronic assembly. The device includes a support tray having a top surface and a bottom surface. The circuit board is mounted to the top surface of the support tray. A planar element is provided that is positioned below the bottom surface of the support tray. The planar element engages the wire leads extending from the circuit board. The presence of the planar element causes the wire leads to extend along the bottom surface of the support tray between the bottom surface of the support tray and the planar element. As a result, the wire leads conform to the bottom of the support tray and do not occupy the space behind the circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for monitoring and characterizing optical links of a communication system by transmitting and receiving optical test signals of a certain wavelength through the optical links where such test signals do not interfere in a significant manner with other optical signals being conveyed through the optical links.

Abstract: A system and method for testing the integrity of a pair of optical fibers that are received by a specific customer facility through the optical fiber network of a telecommunications provider. In one embodiment, the system contains a monitor and test access module including a wavelength division multiplexer for each pair of optical fibers that lead to a customer facility and an optical tap and monitoring circuit for monitoring the optical signal transmitted from the customer facility. Monitoring of the optical signal generated from the customer location gives an indication of the general quality of the fiber optic connection. A remote fiber test system that includes an optical time domain reflectometer can be coupled through the monitor and test access module. The optical fibers can be tested one at a time, or the two optical fibers leading to the same customer facility can be looped together and tested at the same time.

Abstract: The present invention is an intelligent optical transmitter module that is used to produce optical test signals. The optical transmitter module contains a solid state laser and a microprocessor. The solid state laser produces the test signals which are used to test optical fibers in an optical fiber network. The laser is both monitored by and controlled by the microprocessor. In one embodiment, backface monitoring and optical output coupling power monitoring (using an optical tap) are accomplished within the module in order to more accurately reflect the state of the laser. The microprocessor reads data regarding the performance of the solid state laser which may be output to another control device. The control device utilizes the data from the microprocessor in the analysis of fiber optic loop conditions as well as the laser itself. The microprocessor enables the output levels of the solid state laser to be adjustable by way of a digital to analog converter.

Abstract: A device, system and method for locating a specific optical connection port contained within a fiber administration system having line tracing capabilities. A translucent casing is provided at each of the optical connection ports in the fiber administration system. The translucent casing can be a translucent shroud that fits over a standard optical connection port or the translucent casing can be manufactured as part of the optical connector port. Regardless of the type of translucent casing used, the translucent casing of any of the optical connection ports can be individually and selectively illuminated. According, the actual casing of an optical connection port can be illuminated within a fiber distribution shelf, thereby greatly increasing the ability of a technician to accurately locate the targeted optical connection port within the fiber administration system.

Abstract: The present invention provides viewing and monitoring equipment that can remotely operate and control test equipment to monitor optical links of a communication system and to determine whether the optical links are operating properly.

Abstract: A system and associated method for use in a fiber administration system that establishes optical communication links. The system includes an optical tap that is disposed in each optical fiber pathway contained within the optical communication links. The optical taps are contained within modules that can be selectively added or removed from a shelf casing that is sized to fit within the framework of the fiber administration system. An optical switch is present in each shelf casing that holds the tap modules. The optical switch is connected to each of the optical taps on its shelf and receives the tapped optical signal provided by the optical taps. An optical signal analyzer is provided within the framework of the fiber administration system. The optical signal analyzer is interconnected with the optical switches on each shelf that contains a tap module. The optical switches selectively interconnect the optical signal analyzer to any of the optical taps.

Abstract: An optical switch device that includes a primary optical port for receiving a first optical signal from testing equipment such as an optical time domain reflectometer. The optical switch device also includes a plurality of connector ports for connecting to external optical fibers. An optical switching mechanism is used to optically connect the primary optical port to a selected one of the connector ports. At least one secondary optical port is also provided for receiving at least one second optical signal from an alternate piece of testing equipment. A multiplexing element is disposed between the optical switching mechanism and the connector ports. The multiplexing element combines the first test signal and the at least one second test signal to produce a multiplexed signal. The multiplexed signal is propagated through the optical fibers being tested, thereby enabling multiple tests to be performed on the optical fiber at the same time.

Abstract: A method of testing the quality of a splice at a remote location made between said optical cable and a subsequent optical cable. The method includes the step of connecting a first optical switch to the optical fibers contained within said cable. The first optical switch is connected to the optical fibers at a central office from where the optical cable originates. The first optical switch is connected to test equipment at the central office, wherein the first optical switch is capable of selectively connecting the test equipment to each of the optical fibers. A second optical switch is connected to the optical fibers in the subsequent optical cable on the opposite side of the splice. Portable test equipment is optionally connected to the second optical switch at the remote location. A portable controller is also taken to the remote location. The portable controller is used to control the first optical switch at the central office, via a telecommunications link.

Abstract: An optical switch device for switching test signals to the terminated ends of a predetermined number of optical fibers in an optical fiber cable. The optical switch device contains a first optical port for receiving the test signals. A plurality of optical second ports are provided, wherein the number of second optical ports is less than the number of optical fibers in the cable to be tested. The optical connector ports are connected to the terminated ends of optical fibers in the optical cable by a plurality of detachable adapters. Each of the adapters has a base connector that selectively engages one of the second optical ports on the optical switch device. A plurality of optical leads extends from the base connector of the adaptor. The optical leads terminate with a plurality of plugs that are adapted to selectively engage some of the terminated ends of the optical fibers in the optical cable. The plugs at one end of the adapters are first connected to the optical fibers in the optical cable.

Abstract: A primary stage optical switch assembly that is used in an optical fiber administration system where various levels of switching are used to interconnect an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) to individual optical fibers. The primary stage optical switch assembly contains an optical switch and a connector array disposed within a shelf structure. The shelf structure is sized to mount into one of the bays in the framework of the fiber administration system. The optical switch contained within the primary stage optical switch assembly is fabricated from electronic components and optical components. Most of the electronic components are manufactured as part of an electronic module. The optical components are manufactured as part of a separate optical module. Both modules mount within the shelf structure. However, the electronic module can be removed from the shelf structure without effecting the position of the optics module or the optical leads that extend from the optical module.

Abstract: The present invention is an optical monitoring and test access interconnection module especially adapted for use with a fiber optic distribution frame for a fiber optic communications system. The interconnection module provides a combination of monitoring and test access for two fiber lines, typically a transmit/receive pair, where wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) test access is provided to both the transmit and receive fibers. In one embodiment of the present invention, the interconnection module monitors only the receive fiber line where a power monitoring circuit receives a monitor level optical signal via an optical tap and converts the optical signal to an electrical output. Processing electronics and firmware within the module are operable to generate alarms and other control signals when changes in the power level of the received signal are detected. A test access path is provided on the module for use, for example, with an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR).

Abstract: A fiber distribution shelf containing an optical switch within the confines of the shelf structure. The fiber distribution shelf is part of an optical fiber administration system where various stages of switching are used to interconnect an optical time domain reflectometer to the optical fibers that terminate on a fiber distribution shelf within a fiber administration system. By having the shelf optical switch entirely contained within the shelf structure of a fiber distribution shelf, a unique configuration is provided that greatly reduces the size and complexity of the overall fiber administration system.

Abstract: An electrical backplane assembly for interconnecting a plurality of connection modules in a fiber distribution shelf to the central controller of an optical fiber administration system. The electrical backplane assembly mounts upon a bracket assembly within the confines of the shelf structure of the fiber distribution shelf. The bracket assembly retains the electrical backplane assembly in a small previously unused area of space in between the tops of the connection modules and the interior top panel of the fiber distribution shelf. By having the electrical backplane assembly entirely contained within the shelf structure of a fiber distribution shelf, a unique configuration is provided that greatly reduces the size and complexity of the overall fiber administration system.

Abstract: The invention is embodied in a distributed intelligence optical fiber communications system capable of fully automated and continuous monitoring and testing of the optical fibers and their connections within the optical fiber distribution frames therein. In particular, it is an optical communications system having an optical distribution frame including interconnection modules having actively intelligent microcontrollers thereon. Also, the distribution frame includes inventive electrical and optical interconnection fabrics between the distributed intelligence located on the interconnection modules and a host located outside of the distribution frame. The distributed intelligence interconnection modules allow monitoring, testing and/or related activities of the overall optical communications system to be performed locally at the interconnection modules.

Abstract: A device and method for connecting an optical switch to the optical fibers that terminate on a fiber distribution shelf within a fiber administration system. The optical switch device contains a support plate that is shaped essentially the same as the protective cover of fiber distribution shelf. As such, the support plate of the optical switch device can be joined to a specific fiber distribution shelf by substituting the support plate for the protective cover. An optical switch is affixed to the support plate, wherein the optical switch is sized not to extend beyond the peripheral boundaries of the support plate. As a result, when the support plate is placed over a fiber distribution shelf, the optical switch joined to the support plate does not obscure any other fiber distribution shelf in the fiber administration system.