Non-intrusive optical fibre identification using a high-efficiency macrobending 'clip-on' optical component

Results of a laboratory experiment are reported in which a non-intrusive optical fibre cable identification system has been implemented by incorporating cable identification data in the transmission systems supervisory channel. These data are accessed by a novel optical component which ‘clips-on’ to the installed optical line plant and does not require access to the end of the fibre, while its insertion loss is within the limits defined by the systems optical power budget.