Apparatus and methods for estimating optical insertion loss
AssigneeCorning Cable Systems LLC
InventorsLouis Lauzier, Joel Rosson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and a method for estimating optical insertion loss of a fiber optic jumper cable are disclosed. Estimation of the insertion loss is accomplished without physically contacting an optical connection portion of the ferrule end face of the connector. In one embodiment, the apparatus and method use pattern matching to compare an optical fiber core of a reference jumper cable with an optical fiber core of a jumper cable being tested. Then, the relative signals for each pattern are compared and used for estimating the optical insertion loss using an appropriate algorithm. Additionally, the apparatus and method may include other inspection techniques such as surface and/or geometry inspection.
Claims30
An apparatus for estimating an optical insertion loss of a fiber optic jumper cables comprising:
- an imaging assembly, the imaging assembly comprising:
- a mating portion, wherein the mating portion is used for positioning a first ferrule of the fiber optic jumper cable and includes a longitudinal bore therethrough so that the mating portion does not physically contact the optical connection portion of a first ferrule end face of the fiber optic jumper cable during testing, wherein the longitudinal bore of the mating portion has a diameter of about 1 millimeter, thereby allowing imaging of the optical connection portion;
- a lens, the lens for magnifying the image of the optical connection portion of the first ferrule end face of the fiber optic jumper cable;
- and
- a camera, the camera being used for imaging the optical connection portion of the first ferrule end face and outputting a signal;
- a frame grabber, the frame grabber being used for digitizing the signal from the camera;
- a computing device, the computing device receives the signal from the frame grabber and calculates an estimate of the optical insertion loss for the fiber optic jumper cable.
(canceled)
An apparatus for estimating an optical insertion loss of a fiber optic jumper cable comprising:
- an imaging assembly, the imaging assembly comprising:
- a mating ferrule, the mating ferrule being attached to a plate, the plate being movable to adjust an image of an optical connection portion, wherein the mating ferrule is used for positioning a ferrule of the fiber optic jumper cable, the mating ferrule having a bore therethrough so that the mating ferrule does not physically contact the optical connection portion of a ferrule end face of the fiber optic jumper cable during testing and the bore having a diameter of about 1 millimeter or less thereby allowing imaging of the optical connection portion;
- at least one alignment component attached to the mating ferrule, wherein the alignment component is used for aligning a portion of the fiber optic jumper cable with the mating ferrule;
- and
- a camera, the camera being used for imaging at least a portion of the optical connection portion of a connector and outputting a signal;
- a frame grabber, the frame grabber being used for digitizing the signal from the camera;
- a computing device, the computing device receives the signal from the frame grabber and calculates an estimate of the optical insertion loss of the fiber optic jumper cable;
- and
- a display for viewing the estimated optical insertion loss.
(canceled)
(canceled)
A method for estimating an optical insertion loss of a fiber optic jumper cable comprising the steps of:
- calibrating an insertion loss apparatus using a reference jumper cable;
- mapping a position of an optical fiber core of the reference jumper cable;
- mapping a position of an optical fiber core of a jumper cable being tested;
- comparing the positions of the optical fiber cores of the reference jumper cable and the jumper cable being tested to determine a lateral offset;
- selecting an algorithm for estimating the insertion loss;
- and
- applying the algorithm to estimate the insertion loss.
A method for estimating an optical insertion loss of a fiber optic jumper cable comprising the steps of:
- providing a fiber optic jumper cable, the fiber optic jumper cable having a first connector and a second connector;
- attaching the first connector of the fiber optic jumper cable to an imaging assembly, wherein an optical connection portion of a ferrule end face is free from physical contact;
- injecting an optical signal into the second connector of the fiber optic jumper cable without contacting a ferrule end face of second connector, thereby propagating the optical signal along the fiber optic jumper cable so that the optical signal exits the first connector;
- magnifying the optical signal received at the first connector;
- viewing the magnified optical signal;
- creating an output signal by mapping the magnified optical signal;
- and
- processing the output signal to estimate an optical insertion loss of the fiber optic jumper cable, wherein processing the output signal comprises comparing the output signal with a reference output signal of a reference jumper cable and computing a lateral offset between respective optical fiber cores.
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.