Abstract

Optical power splitters are extensively used in many fiber-optic distribution networks such as CATV and fiber-to-the-home systems. Techniques for locating any fiber link faults become more important after the installation of such distribution networks. However, today's optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) is unable to diagnose N-branched networks, e.g., N > 4, due to lack of high spatial resolution with sufficient singleway dynamic range (SDR). To overcome this problem, we propose and demonstrate a fault-locating technique for large multistaged branched networks. The requirement of ultra-wide SDR with high resolution of an OTDR to diagnose a large distribution network can be tremendously relaxed by the introduction of optical switches and the wavelength division multiplexing technique.

© 1994 IEEE