OPTICAL DELAY UNIT, OPTICAL LINE EMULATOR INCLUDING SUCH A UNIT AND METHODS REALIZED BY SUCH AN OPTICAL DELAY UNIT AND BY SUCH AN OPTICAL LINE EMULATOR

摘要

The optical delay unit (ODL) introduces a programmable delay of an opticalsignal on an optical signalpath. The delay of the optical signal is realised byconverting the incoming optical signal (IN) into an electrical signal, thendelaying the electrical signal, using electronic devices in an electrical delay unit(ELDL), and finally converting the electrical signal into an optical signal. Theelectrical delay is controlled by an operator sending control data (A) via acontrol interface (Cl) to the electrical delay unit (ELDL). A first use relates tothe testing of the normal operation and/or performance of an optical networkfor different optical line lengths. A second use relates to the inclusion of thedelay unit in an optical line emulator (OLE) wherein this optical delay unit(ODL) is coupled to an optical attenuator (ATT) which is also controlled by anoperator sending control data (B) via the control interface (Cl) and a powercontrol unit (PCU).This optical line emulator (OLE) simulates an optical line by simulating thedelay and the attenuation of an optical signal on the optical signal path onwhich the optical signal is transmitted.