A method of and apparatus for identifying fibers of fiber optic cables is
disclosed. Waveforms may be generated by integer subdivision of a clock,
the waveforms for modulation of a laser beam into a set of unique signals.
Preferably, however, each waveform has two states and a different integer
X associated therewith. The repeat period of the waveforms is preferably
set at 2Y cycles of the clock, Y being an integer greater than the highest
value of X, and the waveforms can be generated by counting X mod Y and
changing the state of each waveform whenever this counting reaches or
exceeds Y. The signals may be applied either successively or
simultaneously to individual fibers at one end of a fiber optic cable. At
another end of the cable, each signal can be detected as having a
frequency by taking a Fourier Transform; the frequencies detected
preferably being in arithmetic progression, whereby each fiber can be
identified individually.