Coherent has been granted a patent for modules that enable optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR) operations and inter-node communication in fiber optic networks. The modules can synchronize their OTDR operations and exchange information, such as OTDR traces, through a communication channel established on the fiber link. The patent also includes a method for performing OTDR operations on multiple fiber spans by defining an order of ports to be probed. GlobalData’s report on Coherent gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Coherent, Lithium-ion batteries was a key innovation area identified from patents. Coherent's grant share as of September 2023 was 68%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Patent granted for synchronized otdr operations in fiber optic network
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11777597B2) describes a method and apparatus for implementing optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR) in a fiber optic communication network. The method involves several steps performed by a first OTDR module connected to the fiber link.
First, the first OTDR module sends a communication on the fiber link and receives a response associated with a second OTDR module. It then sends a confirmation communication in response to the received response. The first OTDR module establishes a communication channel with the second OTDR module on the fiber link and performs an OTDR operation on the fiber link. The first OTDR module is connected to multiple fiber spans of the fiber link, and the first communication is sent by defining an order of ports on the first OTDR module to be probed, with each port connected to one of the fiber spans.
The method also includes additional features such as sending the first communication to establish the communication channel at a time outside of standard operation or during power-up or reset of the first OTDR module. The OTDR operation can involve synchronizing scans of the fiber link between the first and second OTDR modules, obtaining and decoding an OTDR trace, and sending the OTDR trace on the established communication channel.
The apparatus described in the patent includes a transmitter, receiver, and processing unit connected to the fiber link. The processing unit performs similar functions as the first OTDR module in the method, including sending and receiving communications, establishing a communication channel, and performing the OTDR operation. The processing unit defines an order of ports on the apparatus to be probed and transmits the first communication on the associated fiber spans.
Both the method and apparatus allow for efficient and accurate OTDR operations in fiber optic communication networks. The ability to establish communication channels and exchange information between OTDR modules can aid in configuring setup, detecting faults, and synchronizing operations within the network. The patent provides a detailed and specific implementation of these techniques, which can potentially improve the performance and reliability of fiber optic communication systems.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
