Testing a fiber link in a communication system without interrupting service

Abstract

There is provided a method for testing an optical fiber link. The method includes employing a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) to receive a signal via a port of the WDM and multiplex the signal onto the optical fiber link. The signal is used in a test of the optical fiber link. There is also provided an arrangement of components for testing the fiber link.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
   
   
       19 . A method comprising:
 receiving a first test signal at a first wavelength division multiplexer;   multiplexing the first test signal by operation of the first wavelength division multiplexer;   outputting the multiplexed first test signal onto an optical fiber link; and   measuring an optical power of the first test signal with a first optical power meter.   
   
   
       20 . A method as set forth in  claim 19 , further comprising calibrating the first optical power meter to a wavelength of the first test signal. 
   
   
       21 . A method as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein a first test set is in communication with the first wavelength division multiplexer, and further comprising employing the first test set to test the optical fiber link. 
   
   
       22 . A method as set forth in  claim 21 , further comprising transmitting the first test signal from the first test set to the first wavelength division multiplexer. 
   
   
       23 . A method as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein multiplexing the first test signal includes multiplexing a first communication signal with the first test signal. 
   
   
       24 . A method as set forth in  claim 23 , further comprising demultiplexing the first communication signal and the first test signal by operation of a second wavelength division multiplexer. 
   
   
       25 . A method as set forth in  claim 24 , further comprising outputting the first communication signal to an optical terminal. 
   
   
       26 . A method as set forth in  claim 24 , further comprising outputting the first test signal to a second test set in communication with the second wavelength division multiplexer. 
   
   
       27 . A method as set forth in  claim 26 , wherein the second test set is configured to evaluate the first test signal. 
   
   
       28 . A method as set forth in  claim 19 , further comprising selecting a wavelength of the first test signal. 
   
   
       29 . A method as set forth in  claim 28 , wherein the wavelength is selected based upon a type of testing to be conducted and a type of symptom to be detected. 
   
   
       30 . A method as set forth in  claim 28 , further comprising generating the first test signal at the selected wavelength. 
   
   
       31 . A method as set forth in  claim 19 , further comprising:
 receiving a second test signal at a second wavelength division multiplexer from a second test set in communication with the second wavelength division multiplexer;   multiplexing the second test signal by operation of the second wavelength division multiplexer;   outputting the multiplexed second test signal onto the optical fiber link; and   measuring an optical power of the second test signal with a second optical power meter.   
   
   
       32 . A method as set forth in  claim 31 , further comprising demultiplexing the second test signal by operation of the first wavelength division multiplexer. 
   
   
       33 . A method as set forth in  claim 32 , further comprising outputting the second test signal to the first test set from the first wavelength division multiplexer. 
   
   
       34 . A method as set forth in  claim 33 , wherein the first test set is configured to evaluate the second test signal. 
   
   
       35 . A method as set forth in  claim 31 , further comprising calibrating the second optical power meter to a wavelength of the second test signal. 
   
   
       36 . A method as set forth in  claim 31 , further comprising employing the second test set to test the optical fiber link. 
   
   
       37 . A system comprising:
 a first test set configured to generate a first test signal, wherein the first test set includes a first optical power meter configured to measure an optical power of the first test signal;   a first wavelength division multiplexer in communication with said first test set and configured to receive the first test signal;   a second test set configured to generate a second test signal, wherein the second test set includes a second optical power meter configured to measure an optical power of the second test signal; and   a second wavelength division multiplexer in communication with said second test set and configured to receive the second test signal.   
   
   
       38 . A system as set forth in  claim 37 , wherein said first wavelength division multiplexer is in communication with said second wavelength division multiplexer via an optical fiber link. 
   
   
       39 . A system as set forth in  claim 37 , wherein said first optical power meter is calibrated to a wavelength of the first test signal, and said second optical power meter is calibrated to a wavelength of the second test signal. 
   
   
       40 . A system as set forth in  claim 37 , wherein said first wavelength division multiplexer is configured to multiplex a first communication signal with the first test signal. 
   
   
       41 . A system as set forth in  claim 40 , wherein said second wavelength division multiplexer is configured to demultiplex the multiplexed first communication signal and first test signal. 
   
   
       42 . A system as set forth in  claim 41 , further comprising an optical terminal in communication with said second wavelength division multiplexer, said optical terminal being configured to receive the first communication signal. 
   
   
       43 . A system as set forth in  claim 41 , wherein said second wavelength division multiplexer is configured to output the first test signal to said second test set. 
   
   
       44 . A system comprising:
 a first test set configured to generate a first test signal, wherein the first test set includes a first optical power meter calibrated to a wavelength of the first test signal and configured to measure an optical power of the first test signal;   a first wavelength division multiplexer in communication with said first test set and configured to receive the first test signal;   a second test set configured to generate a second test signal, wherein the second test set includes a second optical power meter calibrated to a wavelength of the second test signal and configured to measure an optical power of the second test signal;   a second wavelength division multiplexer in communication with said second test set and configured to receive the second test signal, wherein said second wavelength division multiplexer is in communication with said first wavelength division multiplexer via an optical fiber link and is further configured to output the first test signal to said second test set for the said second test set to evaluate the first test signal.