Optical time domain reflectometer
OwnerRoger E. Robichaudinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An optical time domain relectometer comprising an optical coupler which includes first and second optical fibers, each having a central core surrounded by cladding material. One end of the first optical fiber is positioned adjacent a pulsed light source and one end of the second optical fiber is positioned adjacent an optical detector. The cladding material at the other ends of the first and second optical fibers is fused together to form a composite portion wherein the central cores of the first and second fibers are closely spaced and surrounded by a continuum of cladding material. The end of the composite portion of the coupler is positioned adjacent the optical fiber waveguide under test.
Claims7
An optical time domain reflectometer for determining the location of a discontinuity in an optical fiber waveguide comprising
- a pulsed light source,
- an optical detector, and
- optical coupling means for coupling said optical fiber waveguide to said pulsed light source and said optical detector, said optical coupling means including first and second optical fibers each having a central core surrounded by cladding material, one end of said first optical fiber being positioned adjacent said pulsed light source and one end of said second optical fiber being positioned adjacent said optical detector, portions of the cladding material of each of said first and second optical fibers extending from the other ends of said fibers being fused together to form a composite portion wherein the central cores of said first and second optical fibers are circular, touching and surrounded by a continuum of cladding material, said optical fiber waveguide being positioned adjacent the end of said composite portion and coaxial therewith.
An optical coupler for coupling an injection laser diode and photodetector to an optical fiber waveguide comprising first and second optical fibers each having a central core surrounded by cladding material, one end of said first optical fiber being positioned adjacent said pulsed light source and one end of said second optical fiber being positioned adjacent said optical detector, portions of the cladding material of each of said first and second optical fibers extending from the other ends of said fibers being fused together to form a composite portion wherein the central cores of said first and second optical fibers are circular, touching and surrounded by a continuum of cladding material, said optical fiber waveguide being positioned adjacent the end of said composite portion and coaxial therewith.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.