An apparatus and method for measuring a coherence sampling quality-factor
(Q-factor) are provided, which are used to monitor quality of an optical
signal in an optical network in real time. The quality is evaluated by a
Q-factor. A laser diode and a wavelength converter are used in the
apparatus to achieve wavelength coherence and amplification of the
optical signal. Furthermore, the laser diode and an optical switch are
used together to obtain an optical pulse that can be utilized to sample
the optical signal. Therefore, after entering into an optoelectronic
converter, a baseband signal in the optical signal is reconstructed
through the amplification of the optical signal and the coupling of the
optical pulse, so as to detect the Q-factor and to monitor the quality of
the optical signal.