A new generation of optical testing emerges

摘要

The first generation of optical networks culminated in the development of dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM), which uses new equipment to leverage existing fiber plant infrastructure, making possible bandwidth traffic increases by factors of up to 80 times. This allows the optical network to accommodate the recent dramatic increase in demand for bandwidth, largely driven by the Internet and wireless technology. Testing the first wave of optical networks revolves around verifying the ability of point-to-point DWDM systems to deliver multiple wavelengths error free and without wavelength crosstalk across a single fiber. Current test solutions involve primarily analog techniques, such as optical spectrum analysis—an indirect method of predicting whether wavelength channels can be expected to function error-free. While necessary for testing certain aspects of DWDM systems, analog techniques do not measure whether transmission errors actually occur, nor will they detect every potential transmission problem.