Systems and methods for optical fiber cleaning and interface particle reduction

A system, comprising:

• an optical fiber;
• a manipulator assembly comprising:
• a chassis;
• an optical fiber cleaning assembly housed within the chassis, comprising:
• a cleaning tape;
• a first spool on which the cleaning tape is wound;
• and
• a second spool onto which the cleaning tape is drawn after use;
• and
• a drive mechanism housed within the chassis and configured to advance the cleaning tape from the first spool to the second spool such that a portion of the cleaning tape wipes a face of the optical fiber;
• and
• a control unit configured to control the drive mechanism to advance the cleaning tape, wherein the cleaning tape comprises a plurality of apertures arranged along a longitudinal axis of the cleaning tape, wherein the plurality of apertures are spaced from one another, and wherein the plurality of apertures have a diameter larger than a diameter of the optical fiber to allow the optical fiber to pass through the plurality of apertures.

A system, comprising:

• an optical fiber;
• a manipulator assembly comprising:
• a chassis;
• an optical fiber cleaning assembly housed within the chassis, comprising:
• a cleaning tape;
• a first spool on which the cleaning tape is wound;
• and
• a second spool onto which the cleaning tape is drawn after use;
• and
• a drive mechanism housed within the chassis and configured to advance the cleaning tape from the first spool to the second spool such that a portion of the cleaning tape wipes a face of the optical fiber;
• and
• a control unit configured to control the drive mechanism to advance the cleaning tape, wherein the chassis defines a cleaning window, a portion of the optical fiber being arranged in the cleaning window, wherein the cleaning window is configured to receive a second optical fiber, and wherein when the cleaning tape is advanced, an opposing portion of the cleaning tape wipes a face of the second optical fiber.