Optical fiber monitoring apparatus and an associated method for monitoring bending or strain on an optical fiber during installation

An apparatus for monitoring signal loss along an optical fiber during installation of the optical fiber, the apparatus comprising:

• an optical fiber;
• a jig connected to one end of said optical fiber for facilitating installation of said optical fiber;
• a light source, optically connected to said optical fiber, for providing a light signal to said optical fiber;
• a light sensor, optically connected to other end of said optical fiber, for detecting the light signal following propagation through said optical fiber and for providing an output signal based upon the detected light signal;
• a converter, operably connected to said light sensor, for converting the output signal provided by said light sensor to an audio signal having a frequency which varies in relation to the detected light signal;
• processing means, operably connected to said converter, for determining a time rate of change of the frequency of the audio signals provided by said converter;
• and
• an audio transducer for outputting the audio signal such that signal loss along said optical fiber, introduced by bending of said optical fiber during installation, can be monitored based upon frequency variations in the audio signal.

An apparatus for monitoring signal loss simultaneously along at least one of a plurality of optical fibers during installation of the optical fibers, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of optical fibers extending between respective first and second ends;
• a jig connected to the second end of each of said plurality of optical fibers for optically interconnecting said plurality of optical fibers;
• a light source, optically connected to a first end of one of said optical fibers, for providing a light signal to said optical fibers;
• a light sensor, optically connected to a first end of one of said optical fibers, for detecting the light signal following propagation through said plurality of optical fibers and for providing an output signal based upon the detected light signal;
• a converter, operably connected to said light sensor, for converting the output signal provided by said light sensor to an audio signal having a frequency which varies in relation to the detected light signal;
• and
• an audio transducer for outputting the audio signal such that signal loss along said plurality of optical fibers, introduced by bending of said optical fibers during installation, can be monitored based upon frequency variations in the audio signal.

A method for monitoring signal loss along an optical fiber during installation of the optical fiber, the method comprising the steps of:

• attaching a jig to a leading end of an optical fiber;
• installing an optical fiber by advancing the optical fiber along a predetermined route, said installing step comprising pulling the jig with a pulling force;
• transmitting a light signal through said optical fiber during said installing step;
• detecting the light signal following propagation through said optical fiber, wherein said detecting step is performed during said installing step and comprises providing an output signal based upon the detected light signal;
• converting the output signal to an audio signal having a frequency which varies in relation to the detected light signal;
• outputting the audio signal such that signal loss along said optical fiber, introduced by bending of said optical fiber during said installing step, can be monitored based upon frequency variations in the audio signal;
• and
• adjusting the pulling force with which the jig is pulled during said installing step based upon frequency variations in the audio signal.

A method for monitoring signal loss along an optical fiber during installation of the optical fiber, the method comprising the steps of:

• installing an optical fiber by advancing the optical fiber along a predetermined route;
• transmitting a light signal through said optical fiber during said installing step;
• detecting the light signal following propagation through said optical fiber, wherein said detecting step is performed during said installing step and comprises providing an output signal based upon the detected light signal;
• converting the output signal to an audio signal having a frequency which varies in relation to the detected light signal;
• outputting the audio signal such that signal loss along said optical fiber, introduced by bending of said optical fiber during said installing step, can be monitored based upon frequency variations in the audio signal;
• and
• determining a time rate of change of the frequency of the audio signals.