Optical line protection system (OLP)

What is OLP?

The optical line protection system (OLP) consists of optical line protection equipment and operation and maintenance terminals, which can realize functions such as optical power monitoring, automatic optical path switching, and network management. In the optical communication network, the equipment monitors the optical power on the working optical fiber and the backup optical fiber in real time. When the optical power value on the current working optical fiber is lower than the set switching threshold, it sends out SMS alarms, displays, network management alarm prompts, and automatically switches to the backup optical fiber, thereby realizing the protection of the optical transmission system line. The equipment can simply and economically form protection solutions for various channels and trunk lines, and can also protect various networks that require optical path switching, thereby forming an optical communication network that is non-blocking, highly reliable, safe, flexible, and highly disaster-resistant.

What are the protection methods?
Based on the protection method, it can be divided into the following two types:

①1+1 protection method

OLP1+1 is used to implement 1+1 protection of optical multiplexing section line and 1+1 protection of optical channel layer. OLP1+1 board is responsible for conducting protection switching or recovery operations based on received optical power and manual commands from network management. The current protection switching status of OLP1+1 board is managed through network management.

To facilitate simultaneous transmission of optical signals along the main and backup routes, the sending side implements a one-to-two optical splitter to divide the light. Meanwhile, the receiving end utilizes a two-to-one selector for automated switching between the main and backup routes based on received optical power levels.

②1:1 protection mode

OLP1:1 board is used to realize 1:1 protection function of optical line. OLP1:1 board executes protection switching or recovery operations based on the optical power received and manual switching/recovery commands from the network management system. The current protection switching status of OLP1:1 board is managed through network management.

Working service signals are transmitted through functional optical fibers, while non-functional optical fibers transmit internal test signals. OLP devices at both ends utilize communication through non-functional optical fibers to facilitate signal interaction and switching synchronization. Based on the state of the primary and secondary optical fibers, they work synchronously on the main optical fiber or switch to the backup optical fiber.

Optical Line Protection System(OLP) Function

1. Automatic switching protection:  

After the line is interrupted, the system automatically switches the faulty fiber main route to the backup route quickly to ensure that the service is not blocked.

2. Real-time monitoring of optical fiber quality:
Provide real-time monitoring of the main and backup fibers, that is, monitor the optical power of the main and backup fibers (transmitting and receiving) at the same time, monitor the optical cable quality of the main and backup routes, and effectively avoid the possibility of simultaneous blocking of the main and backup routes.

3. Emergency dispatch of primary and secondary routes:
In cases where the primary route is unavailable, the network management center or equipment panel will automatically allocate service to the backup route, eliminating the need for manual dispatch on the ODF rack. This process saves time and ensures convenient and safe service delivery.

OLP optical line protection equipment is a functional device used in the field of optical fiber communication for automatic switching of main and backup optical paths. It can monitor the status of optical signals of main and backup links in real time. When the main link optical cable fails, the system automatically switches to the backup link transmission to protect the normal operation of the system and improve the system stability. As a high-tech enterprise specializing in optical communication products and services, Olycom has established a complete customer service system and customer information management system, and regards after-sales service as a continuation of product sales. For this reason, we have been insisting on excellence in every link to provide customers with flexible and comprehensive products and technical solutions.