阅读说明：本技术 一种光通信设备和光链路监测器件 (Optical communication equipment and optical link monitoring device ) 是由 李书 谭俊 雷浩 方志方 周恩波 于 2019-10-29 设计创作，主要内容包括：本申请涉及光纤通信技术领域,具体涉及一种光通信设备和光链路监测器件。所述光通信设备包括：包括至少一个发送机、至少一个接收机和光链路监测器件,所述发送机用于发射探测信号；所述光链路监测器件包括：第一线栅偏振器,具有第一起偏方向；旋光片,用于偏转第一线栅偏振器出射的光束的偏振方向；第二线栅偏振器,具有第二起偏方向,所述第二起偏方向和所述第一起偏方向的角度差由旋光片的偏转角度确定；所述接收机用于根据后向回光监测光链路。(The application relates to the technical field of optical fiber communication, in particular to optical communication equipment and an optical link monitoring device. The optical communication apparatus includes: the system comprises at least one transmitter, at least one receiver and an optical link monitoring device, wherein the transmitter is used for transmitting a detection signal; the optical link monitoring device includes: a first wire grid polarizer having a first polarization direction; the optical rotation sheet is used for deflecting the polarization direction of the light beam emitted by the first wire grid polarizer; a second wire grid polarizer having a second polarization direction, an angle difference between the second polarization direction and the first polarization direction being determined by a deflection angle of the optical rotation plate; the receiver is used for monitoring the optical link according to the backward return light.)

1. An optical communication apparatus comprising a transmitter, an optical link monitoring device, and a receiver, wherein:

the transmitter is used for transmitting a detection signal;

the optical link monitoring device includes:

a first wire grid polarizer having a first polarization direction such that light in the probe signal having a polarization direction that coincides with the first polarization direction can exit the first wire grid polarizer;

the optical rotation sheet is used for deflecting the polarization direction of the light beam emitted by the first wire grid polarizer;

a second wire grid polarizer having a second polarization direction, an angular difference between the second polarization direction and the first polarization direction being determined by a deflection angle of the optical rotation plate so that light deflected by the optical rotation plate can exit the second wire grid polarizer;

the plane of the first wire grid polarizer is an inclined plane relative to the propagation direction of the first backward returned light, so that the first wire grid polarizer reflects the first backward returned light to the receiver, and the first backward returned light is the light reaching the first wire grid polarizer in the backward returned light reflected by the optical link;

the plane of the second wire grid polarizer is an inclined plane relative to the propagation direction of second backward returned light, so that the second wire grid polarizer reflects the second backward returned light to the receiver, and the second backward returned light is the light reaching the second wire grid polarizer in the backward returned light reflected by the optical link;

the receiver is used for monitoring the optical link according to the backward return light.

2. The optical communication device of claim 1, wherein the first wire grid polarizer and the second wire grid polarizer are nano-metal wire grids.

3. The optical communication device of claim 2, wherein the nano-wire fences are any of:

a nano silver metal wire fence, a nano copper metal wire fence and a nano molybdenum metal wire fence.

4. The optical communication device of claim 1, wherein the first wire grid polarizer and the second wire grid deflector have a first distance therebetween, the first distance enabling a first backward returned light reflected by the first wire grid polarizer to exit the optical link monitoring device.

5. The optical communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a surface of the optical link monitoring device facing the receiver is a first inclined surface, and the first inclined surface is an inclined surface with respect to a propagation direction of the first backward returning light reflected by the first wire grid polarizer in the optical link monitoring device, so that the first backward returning light reflected by the first wire grid polarizer is close to the second backward returning light reflected by the second wire grid polarizer after exiting from the optical link monitoring device.

6. The optical communication device according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the first wire grid polarizer and the second wire grid polarizer is determined by a size of the optical rotation plate, and the second wire grid polarizer does not cover or partially covers an optical path of the first backward-returning light reflected by the first wire grid polarizer, so that the first backward-returning light reflected by the first wire grid polarizer can exit or partially exit from the optical link monitoring device.

7. The optical communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical link monitoring device comprises:

a first wedge-shaped light-transmitting member located between the first wire grid polarizer and the optical rotation plate;

a second wedge-shaped light-transmitting member positioned between the optical rotation plate and the second wire grid polarizer.

8. The optical communication device of any of claims 1-7, wherein the plane of the wire grid polarizer and the plane of the second wire grid polarizer are parallel.

9. The optical communication device according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the angle difference between the second polarization direction and the first polarization direction is 45 °.

10. An optical link monitoring device, comprising:

a first wire grid polarizer having a first polarizing direction such that light having a polarization direction in accordance with the first polarizing direction can exit from one side to the other side of the first wire grid polarizer;

the optical rotation sheet is used for deflecting the polarization direction of the light beam emitted by the first wire grid polarizer;

a second wire grid polarizer having a second polarization direction, an angular difference between the second polarization direction and the first polarization direction being determined by a deflection angle of the optical rotation plate so that light deflected by the optical rotation plate can exit the second wire grid polarizer;

the plane where the first wire grid polarizer is located is an inclined plane relative to the propagation direction of the first light beam, so that when the polarization direction of the first light beam is inconsistent with the first polarization direction, the first wire grid polarizer reflects the first light beam;

the plane of the second wire grid polarizer is an inclined plane relative to the propagation direction of the second light beam, so that when the polarization direction of the second light beam is inconsistent with the second polarization direction, the second wire grid polarizer reflects the second light beam.

11. The optical link monitoring device of claim 10 wherein the first wire grid polarizer and the second wire grid polarizer are nano-metal wire grids.

12. The optical link monitoring device of claim 11 wherein the nano-wire fences are any of:

a nano silver metal wire fence, a nano copper metal wire fence and a nano molybdenum metal wire fence.

13. The optical link monitoring device of claim 10 wherein the first wire grid polarizer and the second wire grid deflector have a first distance therebetween that enables light reflected from a side of the first wire grid polarizer facing the second wire grid polarizer to exit the optical link monitoring device.

14. The optical link monitoring device of claim 13 wherein the exit surface of the first reflected light is a slope relative to the direction of travel of the first reflected light in the optical link monitoring device such that the first reflected light exits the optical link monitoring device proximate to a second reflected light, the first reflected light being reflected light from a side of the first wire grid polarizer facing the second wire grid polarizer, the second reflected light being reflected light from a side of the second wire grid polarizer facing away from the first wire grid polarizer.

15. The optical link monitoring device of claim 10 wherein the distance between the first wire grid polarizer and the second wire grid polarizer is determined by the size of the optical rotation plate, and the second wire grid polarizer uncovers or partially covers the optical path of the reflected light from the side of the first wire grid polarizer facing the second wire grid polarizer, such that the reflected light from the side of the first wire grid polarizer facing the second wire grid polarizer can exit or partially exit the optical link monitoring device.

16. The device of claim 10, wherein the optical link monitoring device comprises:

a first wedge-shaped light-transmitting member located between the first wire grid polarizer and the optical rotation plate;

a second wedge-shaped light-transmitting member positioned between the optical rotation plate and the second wire grid polarizer.

17. The optical link monitoring device of any one of claims 10-16 wherein the plane of the wire grid polarizer and the plane of the second wire grid polarizer are parallel.

18. An optical link monitoring device according to any of claims 10-16 characterized in that the angle difference between the second polarization direction and the first polarization direction is 45 °.

Technical Field

The application relates to the technical field of optical fiber communication, in particular to optical communication equipment and an optical link monitoring device.

Background

Compared with cables, twisted pair cables and the like, the optical fiber communication technology has huge bandwidth advantages, brings great convenience to information transmission and circulation, and enables optical networks which are communicated by means of optical fibers to be laid at high speed and large scale. Optical networks can be divided into long-range transmission networks and short-range transmission networks, divided by the distance of transmission. The optical network is divided into an access network, a transmission network and the like by using an application scene. Optical fibers, which are the core part of a large number of installations in an optical network, are critical to the optical network in good link status. Therefore, the management and maintenance of the optical fiber are important tasks to ensure the stability of the optical network communication service.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides an optical communication device and an optical link monitoring device, which can enable a receiver to collect most backward return light with lower cost, and realize higher monitoring performance.

In a first aspect, an optical communication device is provided, which includes a transmitter, a receiver, and an optical link monitoring device, where the transmitter is configured to transmit a probe signal; the optical link monitoring device includes:

a first wire grid polarizer having a first polarization direction such that light in the probe signal having a polarization direction that coincides with the first polarization direction can exit the first wire grid polarizer;

the optical rotation sheet is used for deflecting the polarization direction of the light beam emitted by the first wire grid polarizer;

a second wire grid polarizer having a second polarization direction, an angular difference between the second polarization direction and the first polarization direction being determined by a deflection angle of the optical rotation plate so that light deflected by the optical rotation plate can exit the second wire grid polarizer;

the plane of the first wire grid polarizer is an inclined plane relative to the propagation direction of the first backward returned light, so that the first wire grid polarizer reflects the first backward returned light to the receiver, and the first backward returned light is the light reaching the first wire grid polarizer in the backward returned light reflected by the optical link;

the plane of the second wire grid polarizer is an inclined plane relative to the propagation direction of second backward returned light, so that the second wire grid polarizer reflects the second backward returned light to the receiver, and the second backward returned light is the light reaching the second wire grid polarizer in the backward returned light reflected by the optical link;

the receiver is used for monitoring the optical link according to the backward return light.

That is to say, the optical path monitoring device in the optical communication device can reflect the backward returning light of the optical link to the detection signal to the receiver, so that the receiver can monitor the optical link according to the backward returning light reflected by the optical path monitoring device, and higher monitoring performance is realized.

In one possible implementation, the first wire grid polarizer and the second wire grid polarizer are nano-metal wire grids.

In this implementation, the nanometal wire grid is used as the wire grid polarizer, increasing the reflectivity to light.

Illustratively, the barrier of nano-metal wires is any one of:

a nano silver metal wire fence, a nano copper metal wire fence and a nano molybdenum metal wire fence.

In one possible implementation, the first wire grid polarizer and the second wire grid deflector have a first distance therebetween, and the first distance enables the first backward-returning light reflected by the first wire grid polarizer to exit from the optical link monitoring device.

By adopting the structure of the implementation mode, all or most of light reflected by the first wire grid polarizer is not shielded by the second wire grid polarizer, so that the light can be emitted from the optical link monitoring device.

Illustratively, the surface of the optical link monitoring device facing the receiver is a first inclined surface, and the first inclined surface is an inclined surface relative to the propagation direction of the first backward return light reflected by the first wire grid polarizer in the optical link monitoring device, so that the first backward return light reflected by the first wire grid polarizer is close to the second backward return light reflected by the second wire grid polarizer after exiting from the optical link monitoring device.

With the structure of this example, light reflected by the first wire grid polarizer and light reflected by the second wire grid polarizer can be converged, and the ease of coupling of the reflected light to the receiver is improved.

In one possible implementation, the distance between the first wire grid polarizer and the second wire grid polarizer is determined by the size of the optical rotation sheet, and the second wire grid polarizer does not cover or partially covers the optical path of the first backward returning light reflected by the first wire grid polarizer, so that the first backward returning light reflected by the first wire grid polarizer can exit or partially exit from the optical link monitoring device.

In the implementation mode, the outgoing of the backward returning light reflected by the first linear polarizer can be realized without keeping a certain distance between the first linear polarizer and the second linear polarizer, so that the backward returning light reflected by the first linear polarizer and the backward returning light reflected by the second linear polarizer are converged in a closer mode, and the coupling easiness of the reflected light to a receiver is improved.

In one possible implementation, the optical link monitoring device includes:

a first wedge-shaped light-transmitting member located between the first wire grid polarizer and the optical rotation plate;

a second wedge-shaped light-transmitting member positioned between the optical rotation plate and the second wire grid polarizer.

With the structure in the implementation mode, when in use, the packaging is simpler without inclined placement, and is convenient for assembly and use.

In one possible implementation, the plane of the wire grid polarizer and the plane of the second wire grid polarizer are parallel.

By adopting the structure of the realization mode, the propagation direction of the backward returning light reflected by the first linear polarizer and the propagation direction of the backward returning light emitted by the second linear polarizer are convenient to control, and the coupling easiness of the reflected light to a receiver is improved.

In one possible implementation, the angular difference between the second polarization direction and the first polarization direction is 45 °.

By adopting the structure of the implementation mode, not only can the whole or most of backward return light be reflected, but also the backward return light is prevented from reaching the transmitter.

In a second aspect, an optical link monitoring device is provided, including:

a first wire grid polarizer having a first polarizing direction such that light having a polarization direction in accordance with the first polarizing direction can exit from one side to the other side of the first wire grid polarizer;

the optical rotation sheet is used for deflecting the polarization direction of the light beam emitted by the first grid polarization;

a second wire grid polarizer having a second polarization direction, an angular difference between the second polarization direction and the first polarization direction being determined by a deflection angle of the optical rotation plate so that light deflected by the optical rotation plate can exit the second wire grid polarizer;

the plane where the first wire grid polarizer is located is an inclined plane relative to the propagation direction of the first light beam, so that when the polarization direction of the first light beam is inconsistent with the first polarization direction, the first wire grid polarizer reflects the first light beam;

the plane of the second wire grid polarizer is an inclined plane relative to the propagation direction of the second light beam, so that when the polarization direction of the second light beam is inconsistent with the second polarization direction, the second wire grid polarizer reflects the second light beam.

In one possible implementation, the first wire grid polarizer and the second wire grid polarizer are nano-metal wire grids.

Illustratively, the barrier of nano-metal wires is any one of:

a nano silver metal wire fence, a nano copper metal wire fence and a nano molybdenum metal wire fence.

In one possible implementation, the first wire grid polarizer and the second wire grid deflector have a first distance therebetween, and the first distance enables light reflected by a side of the first wire grid polarizer facing the second wire grid polarizer to exit the optical link monitoring device.

For example, the exit surface of the first reflected light is an inclined surface relative to the propagation direction of the first reflected light in the optical link monitoring device, so that the first reflected light is close to a second reflected light after exiting from the optical link monitoring device, the first reflected light is reflected light on a side of the first wire grid polarizer facing the second wire grid polarizer, and the second reflected light is reflected light on a side of the second wire grid polarizer facing away from the first wire grid polarizer.

In one possible implementation, the distance between the first wire grid polarizer and the second wire grid polarizer is determined by the size of the optical rotation sheet, and the second wire grid polarizer does not cover or partially covers the optical path of the reflected light of the side of the first wire grid polarizer facing the second wire grid polarizer, so that the reflected light of the side of the first wire grid polarizer facing the second wire grid polarizer can exit or partially exit from the optical link monitoring device.

In one possible implementation, the device includes:

a first wedge-shaped light-transmitting member located between the first wire grid polarizer and the optical rotation plate;

a second wedge-shaped light-transmitting member positioned between the optical rotation plate and the second wire grid polarizer.

In one possible implementation, the plane of the wire grid polarizer and the plane of the second wire grid polarizer are parallel.

In one possible implementation, the angular difference between the second polarization direction and the first polarization direction is 45 °.

The optical communication equipment and the optical link monitoring device provided by the embodiment of the application are provided. Can the directional reflection vast majority backward return light, can make the receiver receive the directional reflection backward return light to the optical link monitoring, thereby improved monitoring performance, and simple structure, the cost is lower.

Drawings

Fig. 1A illustrates an optical network structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 1B illustrates another optical network structure provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2A is an assembly diagram of an optical link monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 2B illustrates a structure and an optical path of an optical link monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 3 illustrates an operation principle of an optical link monitoring device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 illustrates an optical communication device including the optical link monitoring device shown in FIG. 2B;

fig. 5A is an assembly diagram of an optical link monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 5B illustrates a structure and an optical path of an optical link monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates an optical communication device including the optical link monitoring device shown in FIG. 5B;

fig. 7 illustrates a structure and an optical path of an optical link monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 8 illustrates a structure and an optical path during operation of an optical link monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 shows an optical communication device including the optical link monitoring device shown in fig. 8;

fig. 10 illustrates a structure and an optical path during operation of an optical link monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 11 shows an optical communication apparatus including the optical link monitoring device shown in fig. 10.

Detailed Description

The technical solution in the embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be apparent that the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, and not all of the embodiments.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments," or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in one or more embodiments of the present application. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," or the like, in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but rather "one or more but not all embodiments" unless specifically stated otherwise.

Wherein in the description of the present specification, "/" indicates a meaning, for example, a/B may indicate a or B; "and/or" herein is merely an association describing an associated object, and means that there may be three relationships, e.g., a and/or B, which may mean: a exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, in the description of the embodiments of the present application, "a plurality" means two or more than two.

In the description of the present specification, the terms "first", "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implying any number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof mean "including, but not limited to," unless expressly specified otherwise.

Optical communication technology is a communication method using light waves as transmission media. In the optical communication technology, various lasers are used as light sources, optical fibers are used as transmission media, and photoelectric receivers are used for receiving optical signals. The various lasers may be collectively referred to as a transmitter, the optical receiver may be collectively referred to as a receiver, and an optical channel including an optical fiber, an optical fiber connector, and the like for transmitting an optical signal may be referred to as an optical link.

The optical network includes an optical link, a transmitting optical communication device and a receiving optical communication device. The originating optical communication device and the terminating optical communication device may be collectively referred to as an optical communication device.

The embodiment of the application provides an optical link monitoring device, which can reflect backward return light to a receiver, so that the receiver can receive the backward return light and carry out optical link monitoring according to the backward return light. The device has low cost and high monitoring performance.

In the embodiment of the present application, when a probe signal (which may also be referred to as a test pulse (e.g., a single pulse laser) or probe light) emitted by a transmitter (e.g., a laser capable of emitting laser light with a specific wavelength) is transmitted in an optical fiber, rayleigh scattering may be generated in a backward direction. At the same time, strong reflected light may be generated at discontinuities of the fiber optic connector type or the like, especially when contamination is present at the end faces of the fiber optic connector. At discontinuities of the type such as bends, weak reflections are produced. The reflected light resulting from the aforementioned discontinuities may be referred to as retroreflected light.

An optical communication device may include at least one transmitter, at least one receiver, and an optical link monitoring device.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 1A, an optical communication device may include a transmitter, a receiver, and an optical link monitoring device. The optical link monitoring device may be disposed in front of the transmitter and cover an optical path of the transmission light of the transmitter. The optical link monitoring device may allow transmission light of the transmitter to pass through. The transmitted light may be an optical signal carrying data or a probe signal for monitoring an optical link. The optical link monitoring device may transmit to the receiver when the backward return light reaches the optical link monitoring device. The receiver may be a separately provided receiver for receiving the backward returned light for optical link monitoring.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 1B, the optical communication apparatus may include a plurality of transmitters, optical wavelength multiplexers (WDM), receivers, and optical link monitoring devices. The optical link device may be disposed in front of the optical wavelength multiplexer and cover an optical path of the transmission light of any one or more of the plurality of transmitters after passing through the optical wavelength multiplexer. The transmitted light may be an optical signal carrying data or a probe signal for monitoring an optical link. The optical link devices are also located in the optical path of the reflected and scattered return light of the optical link. When the backward return light reaches the optical link monitoring device, it can be reflected by the optical link monitoring device to the receiver. The receiver may be a separately provided receiver for receiving the backward returned light for optical link monitoring. The receiver may also be a receiver that receives an optical signal sent by the peer device, that is, the receiver that receives the optical signal sent by the peer device and the backward return light may be the same receiver.

For convenience of description, in the embodiment of the present application, the direction in which the optical link reflects the retroreflected light may be defined as a downward direction, that is, the optical link may be said to reflect the retroreflected light downward. The position where the receiver is placed may also be referred to as below the optical path of the transmitted light.

Next, in different embodiments, structures of the optical link monitoring device provided in the embodiments of the present application are described by way of example.

In some embodiments, fig. 2A illustrates an optical link monitoring device. Referring to fig. 2A, the optical link monitoring device may include a Wire Grid Polarizer (WGP) W1, a wedge shaped light-transmitting component E1, an optical rotation plate, a wedge shaped light-transmitting component E2, and a wire grid polarizer W2, which are adjacent to each other in sequence. The assembly may be performed in the manner shown by the arrows in fig. 2A. Specifically, the wedge-shaped light-transmitting member E1 is located between the wire grid polarizer W1 and the optical rotation plate, and the wedge-shaped light-transmitting member E2 is located between the optical rotation plate and the wire grid polarizer W2.

In one illustrative example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the wire-grid polarizer W1 may be attached in a flat-fit manner to the slope of the wedge-shaped light-transmitting member E1. A right-angled surface of the wedge-shaped light-transmitting member E1 is attached to the first surface of the optically active sheet. The second surface of the optical rotation sheet is attached to a right-angled surface of the wedge-shaped light-transmitting member E2, and the second surface of the optical rotation sheet is a surface opposite to the first surface of the optical rotation sheet. The wire grid polarizer W2 may be attached to the slope of the wedge-shaped light transmissive member E2 in a flat-faced manner. In one example, the wire grid polarizer W1, the wedge shaped light transmissive element E1, the optical rotation plate, the wedge shaped light transmissive element E1, and the wire grid polarizer W2 may be sequentially bonded using a light transmissive glue to obtain an optical link monitoring device.

The wire grid polarizer W1 and the wire grid polarizer W2 have predetermined sizes that cover the beam of the probe signal and the beam of the backward returning light when they are in the optical path of the probe signal and the optical path of the backward returning light.

In the optical link monitoring device, the angle between the pass axis of the wire grid polarizer W1 and the pass axis of the wire grid polarizer W2 is not zero. The included angle may be any angle between 0 ° and 90 ° (excluding 0 ° and 90 °). In one example, the included angle may be any angle between 30-60. In one example, the included angle may be any angle between 40-50. In one particular example, the angle between the transmission axis of the wire grid polarizer W1 and the transmission axis of the wire grid polarizer W2 can be 45 °.

Note that the angle between the transmission axis of the wire grid polarizer W1 and the transmission axis of the wire grid polarizer W2 is related to the angle of the polarization direction of the light deflected by the optical rotation plate. In the use state, the incident light to the wire grid polarizer W1 is the transmission light of the transmitter, and the outgoing light is the incident light to the optically active plate. The polarimeter deflects the polarization of the incident light by an angle equal to the angle between the pass axis of the wire grid polarizer W1 and the pass axis of the wire grid polarizer W2, so that the deflected light (i.e., the exit light from the polarimeter) passes through the wire grid polarizer W2.

In one illustrative example, the optical rotation plate can be a magnetic faraday rotator.

In one illustrative example, the plane of the wire grid polarizer W1 and the plane of the wire grid polarizer W2 can be parallel in an optical link monitoring device.

In one illustrative example, in an optical link monitoring device, the plane of the wire grid polarizer W1 and the plane of the wire grid polarizer W2 can have an included angle. Wherein the projection of the transmission axis of the wire grid polarizer W1 (or wire grid polarizer W2) onto the plane of the wire grid polarizer W2 (or wire grid polarizer W1) is at a non-zero angle with respect to the transmission axis of the wire grid polarizer W2 (or wire grid polarizer W1).

The projection of the transmission axis of the wire grid polarizer W1 (or wire grid polarizer W2) may be at any angle between 0 deg. -90 deg. (excluding 0 deg. and 90 deg.) with respect to the transmission axis of the wire grid polarizer W2 (or wire grid polarizer W1). In one example, the included angle may be any angle between 30-60. In one example, the included angle may be any angle between 40-50. In one particular example, the angle between the transmission axis of the wire grid polarizer W1 and the transmission axis of the wire grid polarizer W2 can be 45 °.

In one illustrative example, the wire-grid polarizer W1 and/or the wire-grid polarizer W2 can be a fence of nano-metal wires. The nanometal wire grid can also be referred to as a nanometal thin film. In one example, the nanometal wire grid can be a nanosilver metal grid. In one example, the nanometal wire grid can be a nanometal wire grid. In one example, the nanometal wire grid can be a nanomolybdenum wire grid. Etc., which are not listed here.

In one illustrative example, the wedge-shaped light-transmitting member E1 and/or the wedge-shaped light-transmitting member E2 may be a low insertion loss optical medium such as glass, transparent polymer, transparent crystal, or other material that utilizes light transmission.

In one illustrative example, antireflection films are disposed between the wire grid polarizer W1 and the wedge shaped light transmissive member E1, between the wedge shaped light transmissive member E1 and the optical rotation plate, between the optical rotation plate and the wedge shaped light transmissive member E2, and between the wedge shaped light transmissive member E2 and the wire grid polarizer W2. The antireflection film can be made of materials such as aluminum oxide and the like.

In one illustrative example, the optically active sheet can be a rectangular parallelepiped structure.

Fig. 2B shows the structure and optical path during operation of the optical link monitoring device shown in fig. 2A. When the optical link monitoring device is incorporated into an optical communication apparatus, as shown in fig. 2B, the wire grid polarizer W1, the optical rotation plate, and the wire grid polarizer W2 are located on the optical path of the transmission light of the transmitter of the optical communication apparatus and also on the optical path of the backward returning light. Where the wire grid polarizer W1 is located on the side of the polarit facing the transmitter and the wire grid polarizer W2 is located on the side of the polarit facing away from the transmitter.

For convenience of description, in the embodiment of the present application, the direction in which the wire-grid polarizer W1 (or the wire-grid polarizer W2) reflects back-reflected light may be defined as a downward direction, that is, the wire-grid polarizer W1 (or the wire-grid polarizer W2) may be said to reflect back-reflected light downward. The direction of the retro-reflected back light reflected by the wire grid polarizer W2 (or wire grid polarizer W1) is coincident or substantially coincident with the direction of the retro-reflected back light reflected by the polarizer W1 (or wire grid polarizer W2), which may also be referred to as the retro-reflected back light reflected downward by the wire grid polarizer W2 (or wire grid polarizer W1).

The backward light includes light reflected by the optical link and light scattered by the optical link, and therefore, the polarization direction of the backward light is uncertain, or the backward light has a plurality of polarization directions. Also, the wire grid polarizer W2 has an angle with the optical path of the back-reflected light such that the wire grid polarizer W2 can reflect a portion of the back-reflected light reaching the wire grid polarizer W2 downward.

Another portion of the backward returning light reaching the wire grid polarizer W2 may pass through the wire grid polarizer W2 and may then reach the wire grid polarizer W1. The wire grid polarizer W1 has an angle with the optical path of the backreturned light such that the wire grid polarizer W1 can reflect the backreturned light down to the wire grid polarizer W1.

The underside of the optical link device is configured with a receiver that can receive the backreflections reflected by the wire grid polarizer W1 and the wire grid polarizer W2 and detect the state of the optical link based on the received backreflections, enabling monitoring of the optical link.

Fig. 3 shows the working principle of the optical link monitoring device. When the probe signal sent from the transmitter reaches the wire grid polarizer W1, a portion of the probe signal, which has a polarization direction coincident with the transmission axis (the direction of both ends of the transmission axis may also be referred to as polarization direction) of the wire grid polarizer W1, passes through the wire grid polarizer W1.

The polarization direction of light transmitted through the wire grid polarizer W1 may be deflected through the polarimeter by an angle, such as 45 °. The polarization direction of the light deflected by the optically active plate coincides with the transmission axis of the wire grid polarizer W2, and the light is transmitted through the wire grid polarizer W2 and incident on the optical link.

When the retro-returned light reflected by the optical link reaches the wire grid polarizer W2, light in the retro-returned light having a polarization direction that is not coincident with the transmission axis of the wire grid polarizer W2 may be reflected by the wire grid polarizer 2. Light in the backward returned light, which has a polarization direction coincident with that of the wire grid polarizer W2, can be transmitted through the wire grid polarizer W2. The backward light transmitted through the wire grid polarizer W2 reaches the wire grid polarizer W1 after being deflected by an angle, for example, 45 °, by the optical rotation plate. The polarization direction of the backward returning light reaching the wire grid polarizer W1, which is not aligned with, e.g., perpendicular to, the transmission axis of the wire grid polarizer W1, may be reflected by the wire grid polarizer W1.

Fig. 4 shows an optical communication apparatus. The optical communication device includes at least one transmitter and at least one receiver and an optical link monitoring device as shown in fig. 2B. The light emitting part of the transmitter may include a Laser Diode (LD). The receiver may comprise a Photodiode (PD) or an Avalanche Photodiode (APD).

The transmitter can transmit a detection signal, and the detection signal is coupled into the optical link after passing through the optical link monitoring device. The backward return light of the optical link follows the path of the probe signal back to the wire grid polarizer of the optical link monitoring device. If the polarization direction of the retro-reflected light is not consistent with the transmission axis of the wire grid polarizer, the wire grid polarizer directionally reflects the retro-reflected light, specifically, the retro-reflected light toward the receiver. Reference may be made specifically to the above description of the embodiment shown in fig. 2B. The two wire grid polarizers of the optical link monitoring device can directionally reflect all or most of the backward returned light to the receiver, so that the receiver can be coupled to receive the backward returned light, and particularly, a conventional lens can be adopted for coupling reception.

The optical link monitoring device provided by the embodiment of the application can directionally reflect all or most backward return light, can enable the receiver to receive the directionally reflected backward return light so as to monitor the optical link, thereby improving the monitoring performance, and has the advantages of simple structure and lower cost.

In some embodiments, fig. 5A illustrates another optical link monitoring device. As shown in fig. 5A. The optical link monitoring device may include a wire grid polarizer W1, a light-transmitting component J1, an optical rotation sheet, a wire grid polarizer W2, and a light-transmitting component J2, which are adjacent in sequence. Assembly may be performed in the manner shown by the arrows in fig. 5A. Specifically, the wire grid polarizer W1 may be attached to the light-transmissive member J1 in a flat-faced manner. The light-transmitting member J1 is attached to the first surface of the optically active sheet. The second surface of the optical rotation sheet is bonded to the wire grid polarizer W2, and the second surface of the optical rotation sheet is a surface opposite to the first surface of the optical rotation sheet. The wire grid polarizer W2 is attached to the inclined surface of the light-transmitting member 2. In one example, the components may be sequentially bonded using an optically transparent glue to obtain the optical link monitoring device.

The wire grid polarizer W1 and the wire grid polarizer W2 and the optically active plate can be referred to the above description of the embodiment shown in fig. 2A and will not be described again here.

The light-transmitting members J1 and J2 may have a rectangular parallelepiped structure and may be prepared from a low insertion loss optical medium. The low insertion loss optical medium can be glass, transparent high polymer, transparent crystal and other materials which are beneficial to light transmission.

In one illustrative example, an antireflection film is disposed between adjacent components in an optical link monitoring device. The antireflection film can be made of materials such as aluminum oxide and the like.

Fig. 5B shows the structure and optical path during operation of the optical link monitoring device shown in fig. 5A. When the optical link monitoring device is incorporated into an optical communication apparatus, as shown in fig. 5B, the wire grid polarizer W1, the light-transmitting member J1, the optical rotation sheet, the wire grid polarizer W2, and the light-transmitting member J2 are located on the optical path of the transmission light of the transmitter of the optical communication apparatus and also on the optical path of the backward returning light. Where the wire grid polarizer W1 is located on the side of the polarit facing the transmitter and the wire grid polarizer W2 is located on the side of the polarit facing away from the transmitter.

The backward returning light includes light reflected by the optical link and optical fibers scattered by the optical link, and therefore, the polarization direction of the backward returning light is uncertain, or the backward returning light has a plurality of polarization directions, and therefore, the wire grid polarizer W2 has an angle with the optical path of the backward returning light, so that the wire grid polarizer W2 can reflect a part of the backward returning light reaching the wire grid polarizer W2 downward.

Another portion of the backward returning light reaching the wire grid polarizer W2 may pass through the wire grid polarizer W2 and may then reach the wire grid polarizer W1. The wire grid polarizer W1 has an angle with the optical path of the backreturned light such that the wire grid polarizer W1 can reflect the backreturned light down to the wire grid polarizer W1. The light-transmitting member J1 and the optically active plate both have a predetermined thickness so that the wire grid polarizer W1 and the wire grid polarizer W2 have a predetermined distance therebetween, so that backward returning light reflected by the wire grid polarizer W1 can be emitted from the optical link monitoring device without being blocked by the wire grid polarizer W2.

The underside of the optical link monitoring device is configured with a receiver that can receive the backreflections reflected by the wire grid polarizer W1 and the wire grid polarizer W2 and detect the state of the optical link based on the received backreflections, enabling monitoring of the optical link.

In one illustrative example, as shown in FIG. 5B, a protective layer may be disposed on the side of the wire-grid polarizer W1 facing away from the light-transmitting member J1 to protect the wire-grid polarizer W1. The protective layer may be made of a light-transmitting material (e.g., glass, etc.).

Fig. 6 shows an optical communication apparatus. The optical communication device includes at least one transmitter and at least one receiver and an optical link monitoring device as shown in fig. 5B. The light emitting part of the transmitter may comprise a laser diode. The receiver may comprise a photodiode or an avalanche photodiode.

The transmitter can transmit a detection signal, and the detection signal is coupled into the optical link after passing through the optical link monitoring device. The backward return light of the optical link follows the path of the probe signal back to the wire grid polarizer of the optical link monitoring device. If the polarization direction of the retro-reflected light is not consistent with the transmission axis of the wire grid polarizer, the wire grid polarizer directionally reflects the retro-reflected light, specifically, the retro-reflected light toward the receiver. Reference may be made specifically to the above description of the embodiment shown in fig. 5B and the embodiment shown in fig. 2B. The two wire grid polarizers of the optical link monitoring device can directionally reflect all or most of the backward returned light to the receiver, so that the receiver can be coupled to receive the backward returned light, and particularly, a conventional lens can be adopted for coupling reception.

The optical link monitoring device provided by the embodiment of the application can directionally reflect all or most backward return light, can enable the receiver to receive the directionally reflected backward return light so as to monitor the optical link, thereby improving the monitoring performance, and has the advantages of simple structure and lower cost.

Fig. 7 shows the structure and the optical path in operation of yet another optical link monitoring device. The optical link monitoring device can comprise an optical transmission component J1, a wire grid polarizer W1, an optical rotation sheet, an optical transmission component J2 and a wire grid polarizer W2 which are adjacent in sequence.

The light-transmitting member J2 and the optically active plate both have a predetermined thickness so that the wire grid polarizer W1 and the wire grid polarizer W2 have a predetermined distance therebetween, so that backward returning light reflected by the wire grid polarizer W1 can be emitted from the optical link monitoring device without being blocked by the wire grid polarizer W2.

The underside of the optical link monitoring device is configured with a receiver that can receive the backreflections reflected by the wire grid polarizer W1 and the wire grid polarizer W2 and detect the state of the optical link based on the received backreflections, enabling monitoring of the optical link.

For the components and the configuration of the components in the optical link monitoring device shown in fig. 7, reference may be made to the above description of the embodiment shown in fig. 5A and the embodiment shown in fig. 2A, and details are not repeated here.

Fig. 8 shows yet another optical link monitoring device. As shown in fig. 8, the optical link monitoring device may include a wire grid polarizer W1, a light-transmitting member J1, an optical rotation plate, a wire grid polarizer W2, and a light-transmitting member J2, which are adjacent in sequence.

The optical link monitoring device shown in fig. 8 differs from the optical link monitoring device shown in fig. 5B in that, on the side of the optical link monitoring device shown in fig. 5B facing the receiver, a cut-off angle is cut away from the wire grid polarizer W1 to form an inclined plane with respect to the plane of the wire grid polarizer W1 so that the backward returning light reflected by the wire grid polarizer W1 approaches the backward returning light reflected by the wire grid polarizer W2, i.e., so that the backward returning light reflected by the wire grid polarizer W1 and the backward returning light reflected by the wire grid polarizer W2 converge in a proximate manner, thereby improving the ease of coupling the backward returning light reflected by the wire grid polarizer W1 and the backward returning light reflected by the wire grid polarizer W2 to the receiver.

The components of the optical link monitoring device shown in fig. 8 and the configuration of the components may be referred to as described above with respect to the embodiments shown in fig. 5A and 2A. And will not be described in detail herein.

Fig. 9 shows an optical communication apparatus. The optical communication device comprises at least one transmitter and at least one receiver and an optical link monitoring device as shown in fig. 8. The light emitting part of the transmitter may comprise a laser diode. The receiver may comprise a photodiode or an avalanche photodiode.

The transmitter can transmit a detection signal, and the detection signal is coupled into the optical link after passing through the optical link monitoring device. The backward return light of the optical link follows the path of the probe signal back to the wire grid polarizer of the optical link monitoring device. If the polarization direction of the retro-reflected light is not consistent with the transmission axis of the wire grid polarizer, the wire grid polarizer directionally reflects the retro-reflected light, specifically, the retro-reflected light toward the receiver. Reference may be made specifically to the above description of the embodiment shown in fig. 5B, the embodiment shown in fig. 2B, and the embodiment shown in fig. 8. The two wire grid polarizers of the optical link monitoring device can directionally reflect all or most of the backward returned light to the receiver, so that the receiver can be coupled to receive the backward returned light, and particularly, a conventional lens can be adopted for coupling reception.

The optical link monitoring device provided by the embodiment of the application can directionally reflect the most backward return light, can enable the receiver to receive the directionally reflected backward return light so as to monitor the optical link, thereby improving the monitoring performance, and has the advantages of simple structure and lower cost.

Fig. 10 shows yet another optical link monitoring device. As shown in fig. 10, the optical link monitoring device may include a light-transmitting member J1, a wire grid polarizer W1, an optical rotation plate, a wire grid polarizer W2, and a light-transmitting member J2, which are adjacent in this order. That is, in the optical link monitoring device shown in fig. 10, the wire grid polarizer W1 and the wire grid polarizer W2 are in close proximity to the polarimeter, i.e., the distance between the two wire grid polarizers is determined by the size of the polarimeter. In particular, the distance between the two wire grid polarizers is determined by the width of the optical rotation plate. In one example, the distance between the two wire grid polarizers can be equal to or close to the width of the optical rotation plate. The width of the optical rotation plate can be defined as the distance between the side of the optical rotation plate facing the wire grid polarizer W1 and the side of the optical rotation plate facing the wire grid polarizer W2. As shown in fig. 10, the wire grid polarizer W2 may be subjected to a size reduction process such that the wire grid polarizer W2 does not completely cover the interface with the light-transmissive member J2. Specifically, the size of the wire grid polarizer W2 was reduced so that the lower portion of the light-transmitting member J2 was not covered by the wire grid polarizer W2. The lower portion of the light-transmitting member J2 is not covered by the wire grid polarizer W2, so that backward returning light reflected by the wire grid polarizer W1 is not blocked by the wire grid polarizer W2 and can be transmitted out from the lower portion of the light-transmitting member J2, thereby being able to reach the receiver. And in the optical link device shown in fig. 10, the distance between the wire grid polarizer W1 and the wire grid polarizer W2 is shorter, so that backward return light reflected by the wire grid polarizer W1 and backward return light reflected by the wire grid polarizer W2 can be more concentrated, and the receiving coupling easiness of a receiver is improved.

For the components and the configuration of the components in the optical link monitoring device shown in fig. 10, reference may be made to the above description of the embodiment shown in fig. 5A and the embodiment shown in fig. 2A, and details are not repeated here.

Fig. 11 shows an optical communication apparatus. The optical communication device includes at least one transmitter and at least one receiver and an optical link monitoring device shown in fig. 10. The light emitting part of the transmitter may comprise a laser diode. The receiver may comprise a photodiode or an avalanche photodiode.

The transmitter can transmit a detection signal, and the detection signal is coupled into the optical link after passing through the optical link monitoring device. The backward return light of the optical link follows the path of the probe signal back to the wire grid polarizer of the optical link monitoring device. If the polarization direction of the retro-reflected light is not consistent with the transmission axis of the wire grid polarizer, the wire grid polarizer directionally reflects the retro-reflected light, specifically, the retro-reflected light toward the receiver. Reference may be made specifically to the above description of the embodiment shown in fig. 5B, the embodiment shown in fig. 2B and the embodiment shown in fig. 10. The two wire grid polarizers of the optical link monitoring device can directionally reflect all or most of the backward returned light to the receiver, so that the receiver can be coupled to receive the backward returned light, and particularly, a conventional lens can be adopted for coupling reception.

The optical link monitoring device provided by the embodiment of the application can directionally reflect the most backward return light, can enable the receiver to receive the directionally reflected backward return light so as to monitor the optical link, thereby improving the monitoring performance, and has the advantages of simple structure and lower cost.

The optical link monitoring device provided by the embodiment of the application can reflect all or most of the isolated light. Therefore, in the OTDR monitoring application, the reflected return light has high utilization efficiency, and the insertion loss of the return light is reduced; compared with a circuit circulator mode, the structure is simpler, and the assembly cost is more advantageous.

It is to be understood that the various numerical references referred to in the embodiments of the present application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application.