A collimation centering method and device, a fusion method and system for a multi-core optical fiber

By acquiring side images and feature point maps of multi-core optical fibers, and controlling the fiber rotation to the maximum feature point, the problems of collimation and alignment of multi-core optical fibers and low fusion splicing efficiency are solved, realizing an automated and highly accurate fusion splicing process.

CN116449494BActive Publication Date: 2026-05-01YANGTZE OPTICAL FIBRE & CABLE CO LTD +1
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
YANGTZE OPTICAL FIBRE & CABLE CO LTD
Filing Date
2023-03-27
Publication Date
2026-05-01

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing multi-core optical fibers have low collimation, alignment, and splicing efficiency and poor accuracy, and rely on manual operation, resulting in insufficient repeatability and stability.

Method used

By acquiring a side image of a multi-core optical fiber, extracting envelope information and side projection feature point map, controlling the fiber to rotate to the maximum feature point, adjusting the spatial position based on the envelope information, achieving collimation and centering, and automatically performing fusion splicing.

Benefits of technology

It enables automatic collimation, alignment, and splicing of multi-core optical fibers, reducing the impact of human factors, improving accuracy, stability, and splicing efficiency, and reducing costs.

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Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of optical fiber cable production testing, and discloses a collimation centering method and device for multi-core optical fibers, and a fusion method and system. The present application first obtains a side image of the multi-core optical fiber, then obtains envelope line information and a side projection feature point map on this basis, controls two multi-core optical fibers to rotate to their respective maximum feature points based on the side projection feature point map, and finally adjusts the spatial position of the multi-core optical fibers based on the envelope line information to complete the collimation centering of the multi-core optical fibers. After collimation centering, the process of discharging and fusing the two multi-core optical fibers is performed to complete the automatic fusion of the multi-core optical fibers. The present application can improve the efficiency of collimation centering and fusion of multi-core optical fibers, has better accuracy, stability and reliability, and can effectively reduce the cost of the device and system.
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Description

A collimation and alignment method and apparatus, fusion splicing method and system for multi-core optical fibers Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of optical fiber and cable production and testing technology, and more specifically, relates to a collimation and alignment method and apparatus, a fusion splicing method and system for multi-core optical fibers. Background Technology

[0002] With the popularization and development of the Internet, the demand for networks from all walks of life has exploded. Faced with the ever-increasing demand for transmission speed and capacity, conventional single-core single-mode optical fiber can no longer meet current needs, while multi-core optical fiber can effectively solve the limitations of traditional single-mode optical fiber in terms of transmission capacity, and therefore has attracted more and more attention.

[0003] In the production, testing, and practical application of multi-core optical fibers, fiber fusion splicing is a crucial step. The traditional multi-core optical fiber fusion splicing steps are: 1. Searching for and acquiring the end-face image of the fiber to be fused within a fixed area; 2. Automatically adjusting image brightness and achieving focus; 3. Visually assessing the fiber tilt angle and manually aligning it; 4. Collimation and centering; 5. Electrode discharge to complete the fusion. However, this method clearly has three major drawbacks: 1. Due to the uncertainty of fiber placement, finding the end-face image takes a considerable amount of time; 2. Differences in multi-core fiber types and processes, as well as variations in fiber cutting, place greater demands on the automatic focusing algorithm; 3. Relying on manual judgment for core alignment makes it difficult to evaluate the fusion splicing effect. Therefore, improving the collimation and centering efficiency and accuracy of multi-core optical fibers, increasing fusion splicing efficiency, and achieving better repeatability and stability are technical problems that need to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a collimation and alignment method and apparatus for multi-core optical fibers, as well as a fusion splicing method and system, to solve the problems of low efficiency and poor performance in the collimation, alignment, and fusion splicing of multi-core optical fibers in the prior art.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a collimation and alignment method for a multi-core optical fiber, comprising the following steps:

[0006] Step 1: Obtain side images of the two multi-core optical fibers located at both ends and to be collimated.

[0007] Step 2: Based on the side image, obtain the envelope information corresponding to the two multi-core optical fibers respectively;

[0008] Step 3: Based on the envelope information, move the two multi-core optical fibers to the first designated position;

[0009] Step 4: Obtain the side projection feature point map corresponding to each multi-core optical fiber, and control the rotation of the two multi-core optical fibers based on the side projection feature point map so that both multi-core optical fibers are rotated to their respective maximum feature points.

[0010] Step 5: Adjust the spatial position of the two multi-core optical fibers according to the envelope information of the two multi-core optical fibers to complete the collimation and centering of the multi-core optical fibers.

[0011] Preferably, step 4 includes the following sub-steps:

[0012] Step 401: For each multi-core optical fiber, control the multi-core optical fiber to rotate along the first direction by a first angle θ0, and obtain a side image in real time during the rotation; use a feature value extraction method to process the side image to obtain the side projection feature point map containing a series of feature points and rotation angles.

[0013] Step 402: For each multi-core optical fiber, find the maximum feature point in a period among a series of feature points, and determine the rotation angle corresponding to the maximum feature point; record the rotation angles corresponding to the maximum feature points of the two multi-core optical fibers as the second angle θ1 and the third angle θ2, respectively.

[0014] Step 403: Control the rotation of the two multi-core optical fibers according to the second angle θ1 and the third angle θ2 respectively, so that the two multi-core optical fibers are coarsely adjusted to the region where their respective maximum feature points are located.

[0015] Step 404: Using the feature points as feedback, a local optimization algorithm is used to control the rotation of the two multi-core optical fibers so that both multi-core optical fibers are finely adjusted to their respective maximum feature points.

[0016] Preferably, in step 401, the first angle θ0 is the value obtained by rounding up 360° / n, where n is the number of fiber cores contained in the circumference centered on the central axis of the cladding.

[0017] Preferably, in step 401, the first angle θ0 is 90°; in step 402, one period is selected from the range corresponding to 0 to 90°; in step 403, the two multi-core optical fibers are controlled to rotate θ0-θ1 and θ0-θ2 respectively in the opposite direction to the first direction, so that the two multi-core optical fibers are coarsely adjusted to the region where their respective maximum feature points are located.

[0018] Preferably, in step 401, the first angle θ0 is 360°; in step 402, one period is selected from the interval range corresponding to iθ3 to (i+1)θ3, where θ3 = 360° / n is the value obtained by rounding up, n is the number of fiber cores contained in the circle centered on the central axis of the cladding, and i is any value among 0, 1, ..., n-1; in step 403, the two multi-core optical fibers are controlled to rotate θ1 and θ2 respectively along the first direction, so that the two multi-core optical fibers are coarsely adjusted to the region where their respective maximum feature points are located.

[0019] Preferably, in step 401, the feature extraction method is one of Tenegrad gradient method, Brenner gradient method, and difference method; in step 404, the local optimization algorithm is one of hill climbing search method, simulated annealing algorithm, and random beam search algorithm.

[0020] Preferably, step 2, before obtaining the envelope information, further includes: sharpening the side image;

[0021] In step 2, an edge detection algorithm is used to obtain the envelope information based on the sharpened side image. The envelope information includes the envelopes of the upper end, lower end and outer end of the multi-core optical fiber.

[0022] Preferably, in step 3, after moving the two multi-core optical fibers to the first designated position, the method further includes: cleaning the multi-core optical fibers by discharge, and determining whether the cutting angle of the multi-core optical fibers meets the preset range based on the envelope information; if it does, proceed to step 4; otherwise, exit the operation of collimating and centering the multi-core optical fibers.

[0023] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a collimation and alignment device for a multi-core optical fiber, comprising:

[0024] An image acquisition unit is used to obtain a side image corresponding to a multi-core optical fiber;

[0025] The processing unit is used to obtain envelope information and side projection feature point map based on the side image;

[0026] The control unit is used to control the movement and rotation of the multi-core optical fiber;

[0027] The collimation and alignment device for the multi-core optical fiber is used to perform the steps in the collimation and alignment method for the multi-core optical fiber described above.

[0028] Preferably, the image acquisition unit includes an illumination unit, a lens, and an acquisition unit;

[0029] The illumination unit is used to emit parallel illumination light toward the side of the multi-core optical fiber;

[0030] The lens is used to focus the light passing through the multi-core optical fiber and the surrounding area of ​​the multi-core optical fiber.

[0031] The acquisition unit is used to obtain a side image corresponding to the multi-core optical fiber formed after passing through the lens.

[0032] Thirdly, the present invention provides a method for splicing multi-core optical fibers, comprising the following steps:

[0033] Step 1: Place the two multi-core optical fibers to be fused into the multi-core optical fiber fusion splicing system and move the two multi-core optical fibers to the initial designated position.

[0034] Step 2: Determine if the multi-core fiber meets the splicing requirements; if it does, proceed to the next step; otherwise, reprocess the multi-core fiber.

[0035] Step 3: Perform the procedures in the above-described collimation and alignment method for multi-core optical fibers to complete the collimation and alignment of the multi-core optical fibers;

[0036] Step 4: Perform the discharge fusion splicing process on the two multi-core optical fibers to complete the automatic fusion splicing of the multi-core optical fibers.

[0037] Preferably, before step 1, the process further includes: pre-processing the multi-core optical fiber to be fused, the pre-processing including fiber stripping, alcohol wiping, and cutting.

[0038] Fourthly, the present invention provides a fusion splicing system for multi-core optical fibers, comprising: the above-mentioned collimation and alignment device for multi-core optical fibers, and a fusion splicing unit for fusing the two multi-core optical fibers after collimation and alignment.

[0039] One or more technical solutions provided in this invention have at least the following technical effects or advantages:

[0040] This invention proposes a novel approach and method for collimating, centering, and splicing multi-core optical fibers. First, a side image of the multi-core fiber is obtained. Then, envelope information and a side projection feature point map are derived from this image. Based on the side projection feature point map, the two multi-core fibers are rotated to their respective maximum feature points. Finally, the spatial position of the multi-core fibers is adjusted based on the envelope information to complete the collimation and centering. After collimation and centering, a discharge splicing process is performed on the two multi-core fibers to complete the automatic splicing. This invention eliminates the need for manual operation, automatically completing the collimation, centering, and splicing of multi-core optical fibers, reducing the influence of subjective human factors, and providing better accuracy, stability, and reliability. Compared with existing methods for collimating and centering multi-core optical fibers based on end-face images, the method provided by this invention omits end-face search and focusing processes, significantly improving coupling efficiency and thus splicing efficiency. Correspondingly, the end-face detection structure included in traditional fusion splicers can be omitted from the collimation and centering device or splicing system, effectively reducing costs. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the end face of a seven-core optical fiber;

[0042] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the image acquisition unit in a collimation and alignment device for multi-core optical fibers provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 3 shows a side view of a multi-core optical fiber;

[0044] Figure 4 shows the side projection feature points of a multi-core optical fiber. Detailed Implementation

[0045] To better understand the above technical solutions, the following will provide a detailed explanation of the technical solutions in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0046] Example 1:

[0047] Example 1 provides a collimation and alignment method for multi-core optical fibers, including the following steps:

[0048] Step 1: Obtain the side images of the two multi-core optical fibers located at both ends and to be collimated.

[0049] Specifically, taking a seven-core fiber as an example, the image of its end face is shown in Figure 1. The side image of the multi-core fiber is acquired in real time using the image acquisition unit (including illumination unit 1, lens 2 and acquisition unit 3) shown in Figure 2. The obtained side image of the multi-core fiber is shown in Figure 3.

[0050] Step 2: Based on the side image, obtain the envelope information corresponding to the two multi-core optical fibers respectively.

[0051] The process may further include sharpening the side image before obtaining the envelope information. Then, an edge detection algorithm is used to obtain the envelope information based on the sharpened side image. The envelope information includes the envelopes of the upper, lower, and outer ends of the multi-core optical fiber.

[0052] Step 3: Based on the envelope information, move the two multi-core optical fibers to the first designated position.

[0053] Specifically, based on the envelope, the multi-core optical fibers at both ends are moved to the first designated position using a collimation and alignment device for multi-core optical fibers or a motor in a multi-core optical fiber fusion splicing system.

[0054] In addition, after moving the two multi-core optical fibers to the first designated position, the process may include: cleaning the multi-core optical fibers by discharge, and determining whether the cutting angle of the multi-core optical fibers meets the preset range based on the envelope information (for example, determining whether the cutting angle is within 1°); if it meets the range, proceed to step 4; otherwise, exit the operation of collimating and centering the multi-core optical fibers.

[0055] Step 4: Obtain the side projection feature point map corresponding to each multi-core optical fiber, and control the rotation of the two multi-core optical fibers based on the side projection feature point map so that both multi-core optical fibers are rotated to their respective maximum feature points.

[0056] Specifically, step 4 includes the following sub-steps:

[0057] Step 401: For each multi-core optical fiber, control the multi-core optical fiber to rotate along the first direction by a first angle θ0, and obtain a side image in real time during the rotation; use a feature value extraction method to process the side image to obtain the side projection feature point map containing a series of feature points and rotation angles.

[0058] The feature extraction method can be Tenegrad gradient method, Brenner gradient method, difference method, etc.

[0059] Step 402: For each multi-core optical fiber, find the largest feature point in a period among a series of feature points, and determine the rotation angle corresponding to the largest feature point; record the rotation angles corresponding to the largest feature points of the two multi-core optical fibers as the second angle θ1 and the third angle θ2, respectively.

[0060] Step 403: Control the rotation of the two multi-core optical fibers according to the second angle θ1 and the third angle θ2 respectively, so that the two multi-core optical fibers are coarsely adjusted to the region where their respective maximum feature points are located.

[0061] Step 404: Using the feature points as feedback, a local optimization algorithm is used to control the rotation of the two multi-core optical fibers so that both multi-core optical fibers are finely adjusted to their respective maximum feature points.

[0062] The local optimization algorithm can be selected from hill climbing search, simulated annealing algorithm, random beam search algorithm, etc.

[0063] The specific implementation method of step 4 is illustrated below.

[0064] (1) In step 401, the first angle θ0 is the value obtained by rounding up 360° / n, where n is the number of fiber cores contained on the circumference centered on the central axis of the cladding.

[0065] This implementation method obtains a specific first angle corresponding to a multi-core optical fiber based on the fiber core data contained in the multi-core optical fiber, which is highly targeted.

[0066] (2) In step 401, the first angle θ0 is 90°; in step 402, one period is selected from the range of 0 to 90°; in step 403, the two multi-core optical fibers are controlled to rotate θ0-θ1 and θ0-θ2 respectively in the opposite direction to the first direction, so that the two multi-core optical fibers are coarsely adjusted to the region where their respective maximum feature points are located.

[0067] For example, in step 401, the motors at both ends can be controlled to rotate 90° clockwise first, and then in step 403, the motors at both ends can be controlled to rotate 90°-θ1 and 90°-θ2 counterclockwise respectively, to reach the vicinity of the maximum feature point.

[0068] Setting the first angle θ0 to 90° is suitable for multi-core optical fibers such as four-core, seven-core, and eight-core fibers, which are currently widely used, and can improve efficiency compared to setting the first angle θ0 to 360°.

[0069] (3) In step 401, the first angle θ0 is 360°; in step 402, one period is selected from the interval range corresponding to iθ3 to (i+1)θ3, θ3 = 360° / n is the value obtained by rounding up, n is the number of fiber cores contained on the circumference centered on the central axis of the cladding, and i is any value among 0, 1, ..., n-1; in step 403, the two multi-core optical fibers are controlled to rotate θ1 and θ2 along the first direction respectively, so that the two multi-core optical fibers are coarsely adjusted to the region where their respective maximum feature points are located.

[0070] Figure 4 shows the side projection feature point map of the multi-core optical fiber obtained when the first angle θ0 is 360°. That is, the side image is continuously recorded and normalized during the rotation of the motor. The rotation angles corresponding to the local maximum points (i.e., the maximum feature points corresponding to multiple cycles) in Figure 4 are 39.65°, 98.18°, 161.11°, 219.02°, 280.69° and 341.12°, respectively, with a cycle of 60°. This is consistent with the end face characteristics of the seven-core optical fiber, confirming the effectiveness of the method provided by the present invention.

[0071] The first angle θ0 being 360° has a wider range of applications than the first angle θ0 being 90°. Furthermore, in step 403, the multi-core optical fiber can be directly controlled to continue rotating along the first direction without needing to adjust the rotation direction, which simplifies the control process to a certain extent.

[0072] All three implementation methods described above can guarantee finding at least one feature point peak (i.e., the maximum feature point) within a period. The maximum feature point can be understood as the state where the corresponding side image is clearest.

[0073] Step 5: Adjust the spatial position of the two multi-core optical fibers according to the envelope information of the two multi-core optical fibers to complete the collimation and centering of the multi-core optical fibers.

[0074] That is, the final position adjustment is performed based on the envelopes of the upper, lower, and outer ends of the two multi-core optical fibers. The following description, in conjunction with Example 2, describes the apparatus corresponding to the multi-core optical fiber collimation and alignment method provided in Example 1.

[0075] Example 2:

[0076] Example 2 provides a collimation and alignment device for a multi-core optical fiber, comprising:

[0077] An image acquisition unit is used to obtain a side image corresponding to a multi-core optical fiber;

[0078] The processing unit is used to obtain envelope information and side projection feature point map based on the side image;

[0079] The control unit is used to control the movement and rotation of the multi-core optical fiber;

[0080] The collimation and alignment device for the multi-core optical fiber is used to perform the steps in the collimation and alignment method for the multi-core optical fiber as described in Example 1.

[0081] The control unit includes motors at both ends. Referring to Figure 2, the image acquisition unit includes an illumination unit 1, a lens 2, and a collection unit 3. The illumination unit 1 emits parallel illumination light towards the side of the multi-core optical fiber; the lens 2 focuses the light passing through the multi-core optical fiber and the surrounding area of ​​the multi-core optical fiber; the collection unit 3 obtains the side image of the multi-core optical fiber formed after passing through the lens, and the collection unit 3 can be a CCD camera.

[0082] The following description, in conjunction with Example 3, illustrates the automatic splicing of multi-core optical fibers using the collimation and alignment method provided in Example 1.

[0083] Example 3:

[0084] Example 3 provides a fusion splicing method for multi-core optical fibers, including the following steps:

[0085] Step 1: Place the two multi-core optical fibers to be fused into the multi-core optical fiber fusion splicing system and move the two multi-core optical fibers to the initial designated position.

[0086] The process may include, prior to step 1, pre-treatment of the multi-core optical fiber to be fused, including fiber stripping, alcohol wiping, and cutting.

[0087] Move the two multi-core optical fibers to the initial designated position. Specifically, adjust the fiber clamps to the appropriate spacing and then click the system's start button.

[0088] Step 2: Determine if the multi-core fiber meets the splicing requirements; if it does, proceed to the next step; otherwise, reprocess the multi-core fiber.

[0089] Step 3: Perform the steps in the collimation and alignment method for multi-core optical fibers as described in Example 1 to complete the collimation and alignment of the multi-core optical fibers.

[0090] Step 4: Perform the discharge fusion splicing process on the two multi-core optical fibers to complete the automatic fusion splicing of the multi-core optical fibers.

[0091] After automatic fusion splicing is completed, the process may also include: removing the optical fiber and initializing the relevant parameters of the fusion splicing system.

[0092] Example 4:

[0093] Example 4 provides a fusion splicing system for multi-core optical fibers, including: a collimation and alignment device for multi-core optical fibers as in Example 2, and a fusion splicing unit for fusing the two multi-core optical fibers after collimation and alignment.

[0094] The multi-core optical fiber fusion splicing system provided in Example 4 can perform the steps in the multi-core optical fiber fusion splicing method provided in Example 3 to complete the automatic fusion splicing of multi-core optical fibers.

[0095] Finally, it should be noted that the above specific embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and not to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to examples, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A collimation and alignment method for a multi-core optical fiber, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1: Obtain side images of the two multi-core optical fibers located at both ends and to be collimated; Step 2: Based on the side images, obtain the envelope information of the two multi-core optical fibers; Step 3: Based on the envelope information, move the two multi-core optical fibers to a first designated position; Step 4: Obtain the side projection feature point map corresponding to each multi-core optical fiber, and control the rotation of the two multi-core optical fibers based on the side projection feature point map, so that both multi-core optical fibers rotate to their respective maximum feature points; Step 4 includes the following sub-steps: Step 401: For each multi-core optical fiber, control the multi-core optical fiber to rotate along a first direction by a first angle θ0, and obtain the side image in real time during the rotation; use a feature value extraction method to process the side image to obtain a feature value map containing a series of feature points and rotation angles. The side projection feature point diagram is described; Step 402: For each multi-core optical fiber, find the maximum feature point in a period of a series of feature points, and determine the rotation angle corresponding to the maximum feature point; Record the rotation angles corresponding to the maximum feature points of the two multi-core optical fibers as the second angle θ1 and the third angle θ2, respectively; Step 403: Control the rotation of the two multi-core optical fibers according to the second angle θ1 and the third angle θ2, so that the two multi-core optical fibers are coarsely adjusted to the region where their respective maximum feature points are located; Step 404: Using the feature points as feedback, adopt a local optimization algorithm to control the rotation of the two multi-core optical fibers, so that the two multi-core optical fibers are finely adjusted to their respective maximum feature points; Step 5: Adjust the spatial position of the two multi-core optical fibers according to the envelope information corresponding to the two multi-core optical fibers to complete the collimation and centering of the multi-core optical fibers.

2. The collimation and alignment method for multi-core optical fibers according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step 401, the first angle θ0 is the value obtained by rounding up 360° / n, where n is the number of fiber cores contained in the circumference centered on the central axis of the cladding.

3. The collimation and alignment method for multi-core optical fibers according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step 401, the first angle θ0 is 90°; in step 402, one period is selected from the range corresponding to 0 to 90°; in step 403, the two multi-core optical fibers are controlled to rotate θ0-θ1 and θ0-θ2 respectively in the opposite direction to the first direction, so that the two multi-core optical fibers are coarsely adjusted to the region where their respective maximum feature points are located.

4. The collimation and alignment method for multi-core optical fibers according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step 401, the first angle θ0 is 360°; in step 402, one period is selected from the interval range corresponding to iθ3 to (i+1)θ3, where θ3 = 360° / n is the value obtained by rounding up, n is the number of fiber cores contained in the circle centered on the central axis of the cladding, and i is any value among 0, 1, ..., n-1; in step 403, the two multi-core optical fibers are controlled to rotate θ1 and θ2 respectively along the first direction, so that the two multi-core optical fibers are coarsely adjusted to the region where their respective maximum feature points are located.

5. The collimation and alignment method for multi-core optical fibers according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step 401, the feature extraction method is one of Tenegrad gradient method, Brenner gradient method, and difference method; in step 404, the local optimization algorithm is one of hill climbing search method, simulated annealing algorithm, and random beam search algorithm.

6. The collimation and alignment method for multi-core optical fibers according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before obtaining the envelope information, step 2 further includes sharpening the side image; in step 2, an edge detection algorithm is used to obtain the envelope information based on the sharpened side image, and the envelope information includes the envelopes of the upper end, lower end and outer end of the multi-core optical fiber.

7. The collimation and alignment method for multi-core optical fibers according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step 3, after moving the two multi-core optical fibers to the first designated position, the process further includes: cleaning the multi-core optical fibers by discharge, and determining whether the cutting angle of the multi-core optical fibers meets the preset range based on the envelope information; if it does, proceed to step 4; otherwise, exit the operation of collimating and centering the multi-core optical fibers.

8. A collimation and alignment device for a multi-core optical fiber, characterized in that, include: An image acquisition unit is used to obtain a side image corresponding to a multi-core optical fiber; The processing unit is used to obtain envelope information and side projection feature point map based on the side image; the control unit is used to control the multi-core optical fiber to move and rotate; the collimation and alignment device of the multi-core optical fiber is used to perform the steps in the collimation and alignment method of the multi-core optical fiber as described in any one of claims 1-7.

9. The collimation and alignment device for multi-core optical fibers according to claim 8, characterized in that, The image acquisition unit includes an illumination unit, a lens, and a acquisition unit; the illumination unit is used to emit parallel illumination light toward the side of the multi-core optical fiber; the lens is used to focus the light passing through the multi-core optical fiber and the surrounding area of ​​the multi-core optical fiber; the acquisition unit is used to obtain the side image of the multi-core optical fiber formed after passing through the lens.

10. A method for splicing multi-core optical fibers, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1: Place the two multi-core optical fibers to be fused into the multi-core optical fiber fusion splicing system and move the two multi-core optical fibers to the initial designated position; Step 2: Determine whether the multi-core optical fibers meet the fusion splicing conditions; if they do, proceed to the next step; Otherwise, reprocess the multi-core optical fiber; Step 3: Perform the process in the collimation and alignment method for multi-core optical fiber as described in any one of claims 1-7 to complete the collimation and alignment of the multi-core optical fiber; Step 4: Perform the process of discharge splicing two multi-core optical fibers to complete the automatic splicing of the multi-core optical fiber.

11. The fusion splicing method for multi-core optical fibers according to claim 10, characterized in that, Before step 1, the process also includes pre-treatment of the multi-core optical fiber to be fused, which includes fiber stripping, alcohol wiping, and cutting.

12. A fusion splicing system for multi-core optical fibers, characterized in that, include: The collimation and alignment device for a multi-core optical fiber as described in any one of claims 8 to 9, and the fusion splicing unit for fusing the two multi-core optical fibers after collimation and alignment.

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