Abstract: Methods and devices for a single wavelength fiber optic sensor system are described. Sensing is based on relative shift in spectral responses of two co-located fiber gratings (FBGs) within a fiber optic cable and measured at one measurement wavelength. Under a range of conditions of interest, the shift in spectral responses maintains the measurement wavelength within respective slopes of the spectral responses. A normalized difference in reflected power is used to desensitize the measurement from any variation in power of the single laser power and/or in loss through the fiber optic cable. Several pairs of co-located FBGs may be used within the same fiber optic cable, each pair used for sensing at a corresponding location. An OTDR system couples light pulses at the measurement wavelength to the fiber optic cable, and measures amplitudes and timing of corresponding reflected light pulses to perform the normalized difference.

Abstract: Methods and devices for a planar bidirectional optical coupler for wavelength division multiplexing are described. The optical coupler can be used in an optical transceiver housed within a compact optical interconnect module for optical fiber-based data communication and/or OTDR measurement. According to one aspect, the optical coupler includes a layered planar construction, each layer based on a transparent planar substrate. A bottom carrier layer includes a metallized surface for mounting of electronic and/or electro-optical components. A lens layer overlays the carrier layer and includes collimating transmit and/or focusing receive lenses. A beam splitter/combiner layer overlays the lens layer and includes angled coated lateral surfaces that provide beam splitting and wavelength filtering functionality. The beam splitter/combiner layer is optically coupled to a ferrule receptacle of a fiber connector of the optical transceiver.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automated health assessment of fiber optic links of a fiber optic communication system are described. Tables are used to describe the fiber optic links, including access addresses to communication modules used in the links. Telemetry data representative of operation of the communication modules can be read via the access addresses into a central station. OTDR/OFDR measurement data of fiber optic segments used in the links can be read via the access addresses into the central station. The telemetry and/or OTDR/OFDR measurement data can be used by the central station for comparison against reference data to assess health of the links. The communication modules locally and continuously capture the telemetry data to detect transient events that may be the result of tampering of the links.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automated health assessment of fiber optic links of a fiber optic communication system are described. Tables are used to describe the fiber optic links, including access addresses to communication modules used in the links. Telemetry data representative of operation of the communication modules can be read via the access addresses into a central station. OTDR/OFDR measurement data of fiber optic segments used in the links can be read via the access addresses into the central station. The telemetry and/or OTDR/OFDR measurement data can be used by the central station for comparison against reference data to assess health of the links. The communication modules locally and continuously capture the telemetry data to detect transient events that may be the result of tampering of the links.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automated health assessment of fiber optic links of a fiber optic communication system are described. Tables are used to describe the fiber optic links, including access addresses to communication modules used in the links. Telemetry data representative of operation of the communication modules can be read via the access addresses into a central station. OTDR/OFDR measurement data of fiber optic segments used in the links can be read via the access addresses into the central station. The telemetry and/or OTDR/OFDR measurement data can be used by the central station for comparison against reference data to assess health of the links. The communication modules locally and continuously capture the telemetry data to detect transient events that may be the result of tampering of the links.

Abstract: Methods and devices for coupling light bidirectionally into optical fiber are described. The disclosed devices can be manufactured inexpensively in one-piece and integrated in high speed optical transceivers with small form-factor. The described methods and devices enable OTDR functionality in such transceivers and are compatible with sensor components mounted on a wiring or circuit board.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automated health assessment of fiber optic links of a fiber optic communication system are described. Tables are used to describe the fiber optic links, including access addresses to communication modules used in the links. Telemetry data representative of operation of the communication modules can be read via the access addresses into a central station. OTDR/OFDR measurement data of fiber optic segments used in the links can be read via the access addresses into the central station. The telemetry and/or OTDR/OFDR measurement data can be used by the central station for comparison against reference data to assess health of the links. The communication modules locally and continuously capture the telemetry data to detect transient events that may be the result of tampering of the links.

Abstract: Methods and devices for a single wavelength fiber optic sensor system are described. Sensing is based on relative shift in spectral responses of two co-located fiber gratings (FBGs) within a fiber optic cable and measured at one measurement wavelength. Under a range of conditions of interest, the shift in spectral responses maintains the measurement wavelength within respective slopes of the spectral responses. A normalized difference in reflected power is used to desensitize the measurement from any variation in power of the single laser power and/or in loss through the fiber optic cable. Several pairs of co-located FBGs may be used within the same fiber optic cable, each pair used for sensing at a corresponding location. An OTDR system couples light pulses at the measurement wavelength to the fiber optic cable, and measures amplitudes and timing of corresponding reflected light pulses to perform the normalized difference.

Abstract: Methods and devices for coupling light bidirectionally into optical fiber are described. The disclosed devices can be manufactured inexpensively in one-piece and integrated in high speed optical transceivers with small form-factor. The described methods and devices enable OTDR functionality in such transceivers and are compatible with sensor components mounted on a wiring or circuit board.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automated health assessment of fiber optic links of a fiber optic communication system are described. Tables are used to describe the fiber optic links, including access addresses to communication modules used in the links. Telemetry data representative of operation of the communication modules can be read via the access addresses into a central station. OTDR/OFDR measurement data of fiber optic segments used in the links can be read via the access addresses into the central station. The telemetry and/or OTDR/OFDR measurement data can be used by the central station for comparison against reference data to assess health of the links. The communication modules locally and continuously capture the telemetry data to detect transient events that may be the result of tampering of the links.

Abstract: Methods and devices for coupling light bidirectionally into optical fiber are described. The disclosed devices can be manufactured inexpensively in one-piece and integrated in high speed optical transceivers with small form-factor. The described methods and devices enable OTDR functionality in such transceivers and are compatible with sensor components mounted on a wiring or circuit board.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automated health assessment of fiber optic links of a fiber optic communication system are described. Tables are used to describe the fiber optic links, including access addresses to communication modules used in the links. Telemetry data representative of operation of the communication modules can be read via the access addresses into a central station. OTDR/OFDR measurement data of fiber optic segments used in the links can be read via the access addresses into the central station. The telemetry and/or OTDR/OFDR measurement data can be used by the central station for comparison against reference data to assess health of the links. The communication modules locally and continuously capture the telemetry data to detect transient events that may be the result of tampering of the links.

Abstract: Methods and devices for coupling light bidirectionally into optical fiber are described. The disclosed devices can be manufactured inexpensively in one-piece and integrated in high speed optical transceivers with small form-factor. The described methods and devices enable OTDR functionality in such transceivers and are compatible with sensor components mounted on a wiring or circuit board.