Abstract: A system and method consistent with the present disclosure provides for automated line monitoring system (LMS) baselining that enables capturing and updating of operational parameters specific to each repeater and associated undersea elements based on high loss loopback (HLLB) data. The captured operational parameters may then be utilized to satisfy queries targeting specific undersea elements in a Command-Response (CR) fashion. Therefore, command-response functionality may be achieved without the added cost, complexity and lifespan issues related to deploying undersea elements with on-board CR circuitry. As generally referred to herein, operational parameters include any parameter that may be derived directly or indirectly from HLLB data. Some example non-limiting examples of operational parameters include span gain loss, input power, output power, gain, and gain tilt.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically calibrating loopback data in a line monitoring system of an optical communication system. Extra peaks in loopback data are calibrated out of the loopback data used by the system by identifying pairs of peaks in the loopback data associated with test signal transmissions through the same high loss loopback path from opposite ends of the optical transmission path.

Abstract: A system and method consistent with the present disclosure provides for automated line monitoring system (LMS) baselining that enables capturing and updating of operational parameters specific to each repeater and associated undersea elements based on high loss loopback (HLLB) data. The captured operational parameters may then be utilized to satisfy queries targeting specific undersea elements in a Command-Response (CR) fashion. Therefore, command-response functionality may be achieved without the added cost, complexity and lifespan issues related to deploying undersea elements with on-board CR circuitry. As generally referred to herein, operational parameters include any parameter that may be derived directly or indirectly from HLLB data. Some example non-limiting examples of operational parameters include span gain loss, input power, output power, gain, and gain tilt.

Abstract: Techniques for providing high-resolution, standard-format output for line monitoring equipment (LME) of a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) communication system is disclosed. LME may transmit a plurality of LME test signals via an optical path of the WDM system and perform gain measurements on reflections associated with the same at predetermined intervals. Gain measurements for each of the plurality of LME test signals may be normalized and filtered to derive LME peak data. The WDM communication system may perform full scans with data points totaling millions/billions (e.g., depending on system length, fiber type, and number of transmitted LME test signals or test pulses) and normalize the same into a relatively small number of resulting data points within the LME peak data. The WDM system may then output an LME results file in a standard format which is compatible with commercial viewers and optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) equipment.

Abstract: A wet plant manager (WPM) platform is disclosed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, and supports management of Smart Undersea Network Elements (SUNEs) by providing an abstracted view of the same to higher level network management functions within an optical communication system. The optical communication system can include an optical cable system extending between two or more cable landing stations (CLSs). Each CLS may execute a respective instance of a WPM platform service, with the collective WPM platform performing self-coordination such that only one instance of a WPM service is “active” at any given time. The active WPM service supports a plurality of network topologies architected around SUNEs and “bridges” them such that requests to communicate with a particular SUNE get handled in a transparent manner without the requesters specific knowledge of which command/response (CR) telemetry path was utilized to satisfy the request.

Abstract: Techniques for managing a data communication network (DCN) are disclosed, in accordance with an embodiment, and provide planning, maintenance, and validation (e.g., auditing) functionality for the purpose of managing network elements across a plurality of stations/locations associated with an optical communication network. In accordance with an embodiment, a computing device includes a DCN configuration interface and engine. The DCN configuration interface enables modeling of a DCN based on a plurality of user-provided parameters and constraints. The DCN configuration interface may then generate settings files in accordance with the DCN model. The DCN configuration interface further allows previously-generated configuration files to be read in for the purpose of performing updates, adding new stations, new network elements, new equipment types, new equipment models, and so on.

Abstract: Techniques for providing high-resolution, standard-format output for line monitoring equipment (LME) of a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) communication system is disclosed. LME may transmit a plurality of LME test signals via an optical path of the WDM system and perform gain measurements on reflections associated with the same at predetermined intervals. Gain measurements for each of the plurality of LME test signals may be normalized and filtered to derive LME peak data. The WDM communication system may perform full scans with data points totaling millions/billions (e.g., depending on system length, fiber type, and number of transmitted LME test signals or test pulses) and normalize the same into a relatively small number of resulting data points within the LME peak data. The WDM system may then output an LME results file in a standard format which is compatible with commercial viewers and optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) equipment.

Abstract: Techniques for managing a data communication network (DCN) are disclosed, in accordance with an embodiment, and provide planning, maintenance, and validation (e.g., auditing) functionality for the purpose of managing network elements across a plurality of stations/locations associated with an optical communication network. In accordance with an embodiment, a computing device includes a DCN configuration interface and engine. The DCN configuration interface enables modeling of a DCN based on a plurality of user-provided parameters and constraints. The DCN configuration interface may then generate settings files in accordance with the DCN model. The DCN configuration interface further allows previously-generated configuration files to be read in for the purpose of performing updates, adding new stations, new network elements, new equipment types, new equipment models, and so on.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing new line monitoring system (LMS) baseline data compared to which faults are identified in a line monitoring system of an optical communication system. The new LMS baseline is established by injecting fault signature data associated with previous unrepaired faults into LMS current measurement loop gain data.

Abstract: A wet plant manager (WPM) platform is disclosed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, and supports management of Smart Undersea Network Elements (SUNEs) by providing an abstracted view of the same to higher level network management functions within an optical communication system. The optical communication system can include an optical cable system extending between two or more cable landing stations (CLSs). Each CLS may execute a respective instance of a WPM platform service, with the collective WPM platform performing self-coordination such that only one instance of a WPM service is “active” at any given time. The active WPM service supports a plurality of network topologies architected around SUNEs and “bridges” them such that requests to communicate with a particular SUNE get handled in a transparent manner without the requesters specific knowledge of which command/response (CR) telemetry path was utilized to satisfy the request.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing new line monitoring system (LMS) baseline data compared to which faults are identified in a line monitoring system of an optical communication system. The new LMS baseline is established by injecting fault signature data associated with previous unrepaired faults into LMS current measurement loop gain data.

Abstract: Communication from a component in an optical communication system may be effected by modulating a system power voltage across the component to generate voltage signals representing the information to be communicated. The voltage signals generated by the component are detectable in the power feed equipment (PFE) in the optical communication system. Signature analysis may be performed on the system voltage data to identify the voltage signals and determine the information being communicated.

Abstract: Communication from a component in an optical communication system may be effected by modulating a system power voltage across the component to generate voltage signals representing the information to be communicated. The voltage signals generated by the component are detectable in the power feed equipment (PFE) in the optical communication system. Signature analysis may be performed on the system voltage data to identify the voltage signals and determine the information being communicated.

Abstract: A method is provided for automatically identifying a system fault in an optical communication system that includes first and second transmission paths for supporting bidirectional communication. In accordance with the method, measurements are made of a plurality of optical gain values respectively generated by a plurality of optical amplifier units disposed in respective loop back paths extending through the first and second transmission paths of the optical communication system. A gain signature is obtained by subtracting a plurality of baseline values from the plurality of optical gain values. Directional state changes are located along the gain signature to identify a plurality of directional states. Each of the directional states is assigned a pre-established state such that the gain signature is represented by a sequence of pre-established states. The sequence of pre-established states of said gain signature is compared to a plurality of predetermined sequences of pre-established states.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting transient episodes includes parallel connected transient episode detectors (peripheral devices) to measure short-lived disturbances concurrently, each uniquely associated in series with one of a multiplicity of analog sensors. A shared memory connects an object sensor with its uniquely associated transient episode detector. The transient episode detector outputs signals through a second shared memory to a host disturbance processor. The transient episode detector adaptively tracks and masks background noise through use of a noise statistics stack. The stack is operated in two different modes: initialization and update. In the initialization mode, the stack operates in a recursive sort from the bottom up to replace initial dummy data with ordered noise level peak value measurements. In the update mode, only new significant non-redundant noise level peak values which fall outside of a defined central normal range of the stack are used to update the stack.