FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a device, system and method for a fiber optic training kit. More specifically, the invention is directed to a device, system and method for a fiber optic training kit, wherein the fiber optic training kit is used for providing demonstrations and measurements related to fiber optics, ranging from basic fiber optic to state-of-the-art technology fourth generation fiber optic communication, wherein the user is exposed to advanced technologies including EDF A, WDM, OTDR, Eye pattern analysis, OADM and BER and additionally facilitates quantitative measurements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[00021 The fiber optics is valuable in several applications, for example, in transmission of signals in form of voice, video & data, as sensors, as amplifiers (erbium doped optical fiber), as light-guides in medical devices (endoscope) etc.

[0003] The fiber-optic communications allow signal transmission over longer distances and at higher bandwidths (data rates) than other forms of communications. In effect, the fiber optics has replaced metal wires because signals travel along them with less loss, and they are also immune to electromagnetic interference, thereby the fiber optics is one of the major factors for the tremendous growth in the field of communication.

[0004] Consequently, a great deal of research in industry and laboratory, for improving the fiber optic characteristics including attenuation loss, dispersion control, networking (WDM), fiber optic amplifiers etc., is going on world-wide. In many colleges, institutions and universities, particularly in the engineering branch, diverse courses have been designed to teach the basic principles of fiber optics and fiber optic networking, both theoretically and experimentally. [0005] Accordingly, there has been a huge academic research to improve students' conceptual understanding of fiber optics through the use of hands-on learning methods, in particular on the experimental part, as the field of fiber optics, fiber optic communication and networking may be well understood with help of laboratory experiments.

[00061 The various fiber optic characteristics are that may be demonstrated or measured, include fiber optic loss or attenuation at various wavelengths, and chromatic dispersion.

[0007] In the fiber optic network, various aspects of the network are required to be demonstrated for designing and during functioning of the fiber optic network, which include bit error rate [BER] analysis, eye pattern analysis, EDFA, OADM, WDM, and CWDM.

[0008] Instruments are known to be available commercially to measure and/or demonstrate various fiber optic characteristics including fiber optic loss, numerical aperture, mode field diameter, chromatic dispersion etc.

[0009] Further, for studying or demonstrating various characteristics of fiber optic communication and network, many instruments are designed till date, wherein using these instruments BER, eye pattern, EDFA, OADM, WDM and CWDM etc., may be easily demonstrated and studied.

[00010] One such fiber optic training kit has been disclosed in one of the copending Indian Patent Application 1964/CHE/2009 [referred to as IN Ί964 hereinafter], wherein a fiber optic training kit for providing exposure to various fiber optics characteristics ranging from basic fiber optic to state-of-the-art technology fourth generation fiber optic communication, wherein user is exposed to advanced technologies like EDFA, WDM, OTDR, Eye pattern analysis, OADM and BER and additionally facilitates quantitative measurements.

[00011] In accordance with IN Ί964, the fiber optic training kit comprises various optical blocks including a fiber Bragg grating block, a four channel multiplexing and de-multiplexing block, a fiber optic 50/50 coupler or splitter block, a 980/15xx nm WDM coupler block, an erbium doped fiber optic amplifier block, a microcontroller circuit, a function generator, a digital storage oscilloscope block, a variable optical attenuator block and a multi-meter arranged suitably in a pack with appropriate connections to power supply and a computer for the purpose of programming the microcontrollers, data recording and/or displaying the results.

[00012] In accordance with IN Ί964, the fiber optic training kit is capable of performing numerous experiments related to fiber optic, fiber optic communication and fiber optic networks may be performed by suitably linking one or more laser sources and photo-detectors in combination with one or more blocks of WDM, EDFA etc., provided therein, wherein in accordance with IN Ί964 the personal computer and the microcontrollers are suitably programmed for performing various calculations and other details required for demonstrating and/or measuring the fiber optic and fiber optic network characteristics.

[00013] In accordance with the invention of IN Ί964 using the fiber optics training kit as disclosed therein, numerous experiments related to fiber optic characteristics may be performed, in less time, reduced cost and with reduced human effort. Further, the fiber optic training kit as disclosed is compatible for extending or adding additional experiments or fiber optic, fiber optic communication and fiber optic network characteristics. Additionally, the fiber optic training kit includes the devices needed for the performing these experiments such as digital oscilloscope, function generator, power meter etc., are incorporated therein.

[00014] Accordingly the present invention is intended to provide a device, system and method for the fiber optic training kit as disclosed in IN Ί964, wherein the fiber optic training kit is used for providing demonstrations and measurements related to fiber optics. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[00015] An object of the invention is to provide a device, system and method for a fiber optic training kit.

[00016] Another object of the invention is to provide a device, system and method for fiber optic, fiber optic communication and fiber optic network training kit.

[00017] Still another object of the invention is to provide a device, system and method for a fiber optic, fiber optic communication and fiber optic network training kit wherein it enables to carry out various experiment of optical fiber characteristics.

[00018] Another object is to provide a device, system and method for fiber optic, fiber optic communication and fiber optic network training kit, wherein it is possible to demonstrate and/or measure the characteristics of fiber optic, fiber optic communication and fiber optic network, including fiber optic loss, dispersion, WDM, TDM, EDFA, fiber Bragg grating, OADM, OTDR, BER, eye pattern analysis, power & rise time budgeting, analog & digital links and many more integrated into one single gadget.

[00019] The other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which are incorporated for illustration of preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[00020] Accordingly the invention provides a device, system and method for fiber optic training kit for providing exposure to various fiber optic, fiber optics communication and fiber optic network characteristics ranging from basic fiber optic to state-of-the-art technology fourth generation fiber optic communication, wherein user is exposed to advanced technologies like EDFA, WDM, OTDR, Eye pattern analysis, OADM and BER and additionally facilitates quantitative measurements, using the computer and the microcontrollers.

[00021] The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention described herein attains the desired objectives with a device, system and method for a fiber optic training kit for demonstrating and/or measuring fiber optic, fiber optic communication and fiber optic network characteristics.

[00022] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a device for fiber optic training kit comprises of a computer or processor and a microcontroller, a digital oscilloscope [DSO] and internal peripheral devices such as a laser driver module, a volatile digital potentiometer, an analog to digital converter [ADC], a switch, one or more USB port and a RS - 232 X port.

[00023] In accordance with an embodiment of present invention, a system for the fiber optic training kit comprises an input module responsible for receiving the input data from the computer, a conversion module responsible for decoding the received input data and for sending the decoded signals to a laser driver, a detection module responsible for receiving the signal from the photo detectors through the ADC, and an output module responsible for encoding the received signals from the photo detectors and for sending the encoded signals to the computer to display the output data, wherein the system for the fiber optical training kit enables to perform various experiments related to fiber optic, fiber optic communication and fiber optic networks by suitably linking one or more laser sources and photodetectors in combination with one or more blocks of WDM, EDFA etc., provided with the fiber optic training kit.

[00024] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating the fiber optic training kit using the system is provided, wherein said method comprises the steps of initializing the microcontroller using the GUI software loaded on the computing device, determining the power status of the fiber optic training kit, sending an error message if the fiber optic training kit power is off, waiting for an interrupt or next command if the fiber optic training kit power is on, reading and decoding the input data from the computer by the microcontroller after receiving the interrupt command, communicating and modifying the corresponding external or internal peripheral devices based on the input data, reading the data from the peripheral devices, and encoding and sending the peripheral device data to the GUI at an regular interval.

[00025] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[00026] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items.

[00027] FIG. 1 illustrates a device for fiber optic training kit depicting various peripheral devices therein.

[00028] FIG. 2A illustrates a block diagram of the system for a fiber optic training kit in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

[00029] FIG. 2B illustrates the block diagram of the system for a fiber optic training kit in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

[00030] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a process or method for operating the fiber optic training kit and various modules therein using the system for the fiber optic training kit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[00031] The details disclosed below are provided to describe the following embodiments in a manner sufficient to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the disclosed embodiments. Several of the details described below, however, may not be necessary to practice certain embodiments of the invention. Additionally, the invention can include other embodiments that are within the scope of the claims but are not described in detail with respect to the following description. In the following section, an exemplary environment that is suitable for practicing various implementations is described.

[00032] This disclosure is directed to a device, system and method for a fiber optic training kit for providing exposure to various fiber optic, fiber optics communication and fiber optic network characteristics ranging from basic fiber optic to state-of-the-art technology fourth generation fiber optic communication, wherein user is exposed to advanced technologies like EDFA, WDM, OTDR, Eye pattern analysis, OADM and BER and additionally facilitates quantitative measurements, using the computer and the microcontrollers.

[00033] The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention described herein attains the desired objectives with a device, system and method for a fiber optic training kit for demonstrating and/or measuring fiber optic, fiber optic communication and fiber optic network characteristics.

[00034] The fiber optic training kit and the various optical blocks contained therein in accordance with the co-pending application IN Ί964 comprising a plurality of laser sources, the PIN diode photo-detectors, a multiplexing block [MUX], a circulator, a coupler block, a De-multiplexing block [DEMUX], an EDFA block, photo-detector characterization device, a variable optical attenuator [VOA] and a fiber Bragg grating block [FBG], a modulation selection block, a laser characterization block, an analog link block, a digital link block, a socket for plugging power cord, two USB sockets and a digital oscilloscope [DSO] block with three BNC connectors.

[00035] In accordance with the embodiment of IN ⁴ 1964 the plurality of lasers and the plurality of detectors are controlled using an electronic programmable driver, which is actually an ARM-7 microcontroller, thereby enabling the precise controls over the various peripheral devices.

[00036] FIG. 1 illustrates a device 100 for fiber optic training kit depicting various major components therein. The device 100 for the fiber optic training kit comprises a computer or a processor 101, a microcontroller 102, a digital oscilloscope [DSO] 103 and internal peripheral devices such as a laser driver module [not shown in Fig], a volatile digital potentiometer 105, an analog to digital converter [ADC] 104, a switch 106, one or more USB port 108/109 and a RS - 232X port 107.

[00037] In accordance with an embodiment, the computer or processor 101 communicates with the microcontroller 102 and/or the digital oscilloscope 103 through a suitable communication channel, which is preferably a universal serial bus port [USB] 108/109 and/or the RS-232 X port 107. Further, one or more graphical user interface softwares are implemented on the computer 101, wherein using the GUI softwares the user is able to provide the desired inputs and read and/or analyze the outputs to and from the computer 101.

[00038] In accordance with an embodiment, the microcontroller 102 is capable of receiving the input or sending the output through the USB port 109 and suitably processing the input or output signals, wherein the microcontroller 102 processes the signals received from the computer 101 via an USB port 109 and send the signals 110 to the laser driver module. Further, the microcontroller also suitably processes and encodes the output from the potentiometer 105 and ADC converter 104, and is transmitted in computer readable format to the computer 101. The output data is displayed on the display unit in a graphical manner or in a desired manner.

[00039] In an embodiment, the RS-232 X ports 107 is provided to communicate the computer 101 with the microcontroller 102 through the COM port. The digital oscilloscope 103 communicates with the computer 101 via a USB port 108. According to an embodiment, the potentiometer 104 is provided to select the inputs manually by the user and the potentiometer 104 gives the signal 112 to the laser driver module. The output signal 111 from the photo detector module [not shown in figure] is fed in to the ADC converter 104 to convert the analog signal into digital and it is send to the microcontroller 102. The output signal 113 from the photo detector module is optionally provided to measure the output signal manually. In an embodiment, the switch 106 is provided for giving signals from audio input/output to and from the laser driver module and also to provide external signals to the laser driver module.

[00040] FIG. 2A and Fig. 2B are block diagram of a system 200 for a fiber optic training kit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, comprising an input module is configured to receive one or more input data 201 via USB port 109, a conversion module is configured to decode the received input data 201 and to send the decoded signals to a laser driver module 202, a detection module is configured to receive the signal from the photo detector module 206 via the ADC 104, and an output module is configured to encode the received signals from the photo detectors and to send the encoded signals to the computer 101 via USB to display the output data, wherein using the system 200 for the fiber optical training kit various experiments related to fiber optic, fiber optic communication and fiber optic networks, may be performed, by suitably linking one or more laser sources and photo-detectors in combination with one or more blocks of WDM, EDFA etc., provided with the fiber optic training kit. [00041] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the input module is configured to receive the input data, wherein the inputs are encoded into signals by using conversion module, which are received by a laser driver module 202. The encoded signals received by the laser driver module 202 modifies the state of one or more laser sources 205, that is, either the laser sources 205 are switched ON or OFF or the power, duty cycle and frequency of laser is changed based on the input data 201 received.

[00042] In one embodiment the encoded signals are received by the laser driver module 202 via a potentiometer 206, preferably a non-volatile potentiometer, wherein using non-volatile potentiometer 206 the input data of the laser sources 205 may be adjusted to desired values.

[00043] In one embodiment a signal from an external modulation device 203 suitably modulates the signal is fed to the laser driver module 202 to change the signal of frequency and amplitude of laser sources 205. The modulation may be analog or digital in nature depending upon the requirement.

[00044] In one embodiment an audio signal 204 is proved to generate the laser source signal 205 based on the frequency and power of the audio signal 204 through the laser driver module 202.

[00045] In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention the inputs 201 may be frequency selection of a laser, a duty cycle, a power selection of a laser or may be enabling or disabling of a device or block etc.

[00046] FIG. 2B is a block diagram of a system for a fiber optic training kit in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, the laser source 205 signal is used for performing various test of optical fibers 209. The output from optical fiber 209 is fed in to the photo detector module 206. The electrical signal from the photo detector may be connected to audio output 208 to understand various phenomenon of the optical fiber. The detection module is configured to detect and quantify the light or signals received from the photo detector module 206 via the ADC 104, wherein the photo-detector 206 transforms the light signal to an electrical one. These analog electrical signals are then transformed into digital signals using a suitable analog to digital converter 104. The output module is configured to encode the received signals from ADC 104 and to send the encoded signals to the computer 101 via USB to display the output data in desired format or converted in to a hypertext message.

[00047] In one embodiment the laser sources 205 output may be measured and monitored by an optical power meter 207 for certain experiments to be carried out using the fiber optic training kit.

[00048] In one embodiment the output signal, that is, the signal converted into electrical signal from the photo detection module 206 may be displayed in desired format, data or graph or any other format, wherein the electrical signal is processed by the digital oscilloscope module [DSO] 103 configured suitably and may be displayed on a suitable display like LCD or CRT (computer cum display device 204) or may be converted into an audio output using the audio output device 203- 3.

[00049] In accordance with the present invention the microcontroller 102 comprises a suitable processor, a flash memory, a random access memory, a plurality of input and output terminals and other peripherals. The processor may be an ARM7TDMI® ARM® Thumb® Processor available commercially, the flash memory of about 64 k bytes whereas the random access memory of 16 k bytes or higher.

[00050] In accordance with the present invention a user selects the input via a computer (provided with the display) 101 provided with a suitable interface for the user. In one embodiment the interface may be a graphical user interface, which may be a keyboard, a touch screen display or an audio input device or any other suitable device, wherein the computer 101 is provided with graphical user interface (GUI) software. [00051] In accordance with the present invention the output may be displayed in a suitable format over a computer 101, wherein the computer 101 is provided with a graphical user interface for oscilloscope which communicates with the digital oscilloscope 103 through a suitable communication channel.

[00052] In accordance with the present invention the method for performing various experiments related to fiber optic using the fiber optic training kit of the present invention and the system 200 for the fiber optic training kit is provided, wherein said method comprises of providing one or more input data through the interface provided in a computer 101; processing and decoding the input data by using a microcontroller or a processor 102 connected to said computer 101 via USB port 109; feeding the decoded signals 110 to a laser driver module 202, wherein the decoded signals modifies the states of one or more laser sources 205; feeding the laser source signal to a optical fiber loop 209; detecting the signals received from the optical fiber 209 via appropriate optical blocks of the fiber optic training kit used for various experiments; converting the light signals into electrical signals which may be displayed in any desired format using the photo detection module 206; converting the analog electrical signal into a digital signal using a suitable analog to digital converter 104; encoding the digital signal suitably using the microcontroller 102; and displaying the encoded digital signal in desired format using the computer cum display device 101.

[00053] In one embodiment modulation of the signal originating from the laser sources 205 is done by using a modulation device 203 to form a modulated signal of suitable frequency and amplitude. The modulation may be analog or digital in nature depending upon the requirement.

[00054] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram 301 of a process or method for operating the fiber optic training kit using the system 200 for the fiber optic training kit comprises the steps of: Initializing 302 the microcontroller using the GUI software loaded on the computing device; determining 303 the power status of the fiber optic training kit; sending 304 an error message if the fiber optic training kit power is off, waiting 305 for an interrupt or next command if the fiber optic training kit power is on; reading and decoding 306 the input data from the computer 101 by the microcontroller after receiving the interrupt command; communicating and modifying 307 the corresponding external or internal peripheral devices based on the input data; reading 308 the data from the peripheral devices, and encoding and sending 309 the peripheral device data to the GUI at an regular interval.

[00055] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.