Optical-fiber diagnosis using optical-frequency-domain reflectometry

Temporal signatures (reflection impulse responses) of optical fibers are obtained as the inverse Fourier transforms of the optical-frequency-domain reflectometry (OFDR) data. In this OFDR system, the entire process is automated. The modulation frequency is changed stepwise to obtain an exact inverse Fourier transform. The experimental results are in good agreement with those obtained by computer simulations.