A method and system for accurately controlling the length of an optical fiber jumper

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method and system for accurately controlling the length of an optical fiber jumper. The method utilizes the direct measurement mode of a high-precision optical delay measuring instrument and the pause function of an optical fiber fusion splicer after optical fiber alignment and before fusion splicing to achieve optical fiber length measurement with an accuracy of 0.01 mm; utilizes a tool to enable a high-precision displacement stage and an optical fiber cutter to work together, and the high-precision displacement stage clamps the optical fiber to move in the length direction to control the length of the optical fiber to be cut, thereby achieving optical fiber cutting with an accuracy of 0.01 mm; finally, utilizes an optical fiber fusion splicer to fuse two sections of the jumper to accurately control the length of the optical fiber jumper. The present invention is simpler, more efficient, and more accurate than the existing optical fiber length control method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of optical fiber communication and relates to a method and system for accurately controlling the length of an optical fiber jumper. Background Art

[0002] With the booming development of fiber-optic communications, the requirements for optical fibers used in devices and modules are constantly increasing. In order to meet higher service conditions, fiber jumpers are required to have more precise lengths. In some cases, a specific length of optical fiber is the key to achieving device and module performance. For example, in an erbium-doped fiber amplifier, the gain of the amplifier is closely related to the length of the erbium-doped fiber. The existing fiber length control methods are relatively complex and are often restricted by measurement methods. There is an urgent need for a high-precision, simple-to-operate fiber jumper length control method. Summary of the invention

[0003] Purpose of the invention: The first purpose of the present invention is to provide a simple and efficient method for accurately controlling the length of an optical fiber jumper; the second purpose of the present invention is to provide a precise control system for the length of an optical fiber jumper.

[0004] Technical solution: A method for accurately controlling the length of an optical fiber jumper of the present invention comprises:

[0005] (1) Using the straight-through measurement mode of the high-precision optical delay measuring instrument, the length of the optical fiber jumper to be processed is accurately measured to obtain the difference d1 between the actual length and the target length;

[0006] (2) Use a fiber optic cutter to cut the fiber optic patch cord into two sections, A and B, and remove the coating layer near the break of the patch cord. The length of section B remains unchanged.

[0007] (3) Use a fiber cleaver to roughly cut section A, then connect sections A and B to the output and input ends of a high-precision optical delay measuring instrument respectively, place the bare fiber ends of sections A and B in the left and right V-grooves of the optical fiber fusion splicer respectively, set the pause function before fusion splicing to achieve bare fiber alignment contact, so that the optical fiber jumper meets the through mode measurement conditions of the high-precision optical delay measuring instrument, and obtain the difference d2 between the actual length after cutting and the target length;

[0008] (4) With the help of tooling, the high-precision translation stage and the optical fiber cutting knife work together to finely cut section A to achieve the target length;

[0009] (5) Use a fiber fusion splicer to fuse the A and B sections of the fiber jumper, and use a high-precision optical delay measuring instrument to confirm the final length.

[0010] Furthermore, in step (2), the coating layer near the jumper break is removed using Miller pliers.

[0011] Further, in step (3), based on the difference d1 and with the aid of a tape measure, the A section is roughly cut.

[0012] Further, in step (3), the length difference d2 after rough cutting needs to satisfy Lmm < d2 < L + 10mm to adapt to the stroke range of the high-precision displacement stage, where L is the distance between the fiber cutting knife and the outer edge of the pressure plate.

[0013] Further, in step (4), a tooling fixture is used for the fiber cutting knife and the high-precision displacement stage to make the fiber groove on the high-precision displacement stage coaxial with the fiber groove on the fiber cutting knife.

[0014] Further, the displacement stage knob is adjusted, and the high-precision displacement stage adjusts its position along the fiber axis, and the displacement knob scale is adjusted to the maximum scale "10" of the displacement stage.

[0015] Further, after aligning the broken end of the A-section fiber with the outer edge of the pressure plate of the fiber cutting knife, the fiber cover plate on the displacement stage is pressed, and the axial movement of the fiber is realized by using the knob on the high-precision displacement stage. After the fiber moves outward by a distance of d3 according to the scale on the knob, the pressure plate on the fiber cutting knife is covered for precise cutting of the fiber; d3 = d2 - L.

[0016] Further, the measurement accuracy of the fiber length is 0.01mm.

[0017] Further, the cutting accuracy of the fiber is 0.01mm.

[0018] A system for implementing the method for precisely controlling the length of an optical fiber jumper described above according to the present invention includes a high-precision optical delay measuring instrument, an optical fiber fusion splicer, a high-precision displacement stage, and a fiber cutting knife. Among them, the high-precision optical delay measuring instrument has a direct-through measurement mode, the optical fiber fusion splicer has a pause function after fiber alignment and before fusion, and the high-precision displacement stage and the fiber cutting knife use a tooling fixture to work together.

[0019] Beneficial effects: Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following remarkable advantages: The present invention realizes high-precision measurement of the fiber length by means of a high-precision optical delay measuring instrument and an optical fiber fusion splicer, and uses a tooling fixture to make the high-precision displacement stage and the fiber cutting knife work together, improving the fiber cutting accuracy. The present invention can perform length control based on an existing optical fiber jumper,省去 the process of preparing fiber joints, provides a simple and fast precise control scheme for the length of the optical fiber jumper, and can be applied to scenarios with very strict requirements for the fiber length such as erbium-doped fiber amplifiers and multi-channel optical transceiver modules. Description of the Drawings

[0020] Figure 1 is a flow block diagram of a method for precisely controlling the length of an optical fiber jumper provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of a precise control system for the length of an optical fiber jumper in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a high-precision optical fiber cutting tool in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 is the actual length after rough cutting in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 It is the final actual length after fine cutting in the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a precise control system for the length of an optical fiber jumper, including a high-precision optical delay measuring instrument, an optical fiber fusion splicer, a high-precision translation stage, and an optical fiber cutter, wherein the high-precision optical delay measuring instrument has a straight-through measurement mode, the optical fiber fusion splicer has a pause function after optical fiber alignment and before fusion splicing, and the high-precision translation stage and the optical fiber cutter use a fixture to achieve collaborative work. Figure 3 The figure shows the structure diagram of the high-precision optical fiber cutting tool. The high-precision optical delay measuring instrument and the optical fiber fusion splicing mechanism form a length measurement path, and the high-precision translation stage and the optical fiber cutting knife form a length control cutting unit.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a method for accurately controlling the length of an optical fiber jumper. The method is implemented based on the above system and specifically includes the following steps:

[0028] (1) The length of the optical fiber jumper to be processed is accurately measured by using the through-measurement mode of the high-precision optical delay measuring instrument to obtain the difference d1 between the actual length and the target length; the measurement condition of the through-measurement mode of the high-precision optical delay measuring instrument is that there is a continuous optical path between the optical output port and the optical input port, and the accuracy can reach 0.01mm.

[0029] (2) Use a fiber optic cutter to cut the fiber jumper into two sections, A and B, and use Miller pliers to remove the coating layer near the break of the jumper. After the fiber jumper is cut, the length of section B remains unchanged, and the length of section A is controlled in the subsequent steps.

[0030] (3) According to the difference d1, segment A is roughly cut with the help of a tape measure and a fiber optic cutter, and then the difference d2 between the actual length and the target length is measured after cutting.

[0031] The measurement method is specifically as follows: Connect sections A and B to the output and input ends of a high-precision optical delay measuring instrument respectively through the through mode of the high-precision optical delay measuring instrument; Place the bare fiber ends of sections A and B in the left and right fusion V-grooves of the fiber fusion splicer respectively with the help of the fiber fusion splicer, and set the pre-fusion pause function to achieve the alignment and contact of the bare fibers, so that the fiber jumper meets the measurement conditions of the through mode of the high-precision optical delay measuring instrument.

[0032] The length difference d2 after rough cutting needs to satisfy Lmm < d2 < L + 10mm to adapt to the stroke range of the high-precision displacement stage, where L is the distance between the fiber cutting knife and the outer edge of the pressure plate. That is to say, when the difference between the actual length and the target length is less than the stroke of the high-precision displacement stage, the next fine cutting is carried out.

[0033] (4) Make the high-precision displacement stage and the fiber cutting knife work together with the help of a tooling fixture to finely cut section A to reach the target length.

[0034] The fiber cutting knife and the high-precision displacement stage adopt a tooling fixture to make the fiber groove on the high-precision displacement stage coaxial with the fiber groove on the fiber cutting knife. Adjust the displacement stage knob, and the high-precision displacement stage adjusts its position along the fiber axis. The displacement knob scale is adjusted to the maximum scale "10" of the displacement stage (the maximum stroke of the high-precision displacement stage is slightly greater than 10, but only 10mm has scale markings, and most displacement stages are applicable). After aligning the fiber break of section A with the outer edge of the pressure plate of the fiber cutting knife, press the fiber cover plate on the displacement stage, and use the knob on the high-precision displacement stage to realize the axial movement of the fiber. After the fiber moves outwards by a distance of d3 according to the scale on the knob, cover the pressure plate on the fiber cutting knife to perform precise cutting of the fiber; d3 = d2 - L.

[0035] (5) Use the fiber fusion splicer to fuse sections A and B of the fiber jumper, and use the high-precision optical delay measuring instrument to perform the final length confirmation.

[0036] The through measurement mode of the high-precision optical delay measuring instrument can obtain the precise delay of the fiber, and calculate the physical length of the fiber according to the refractive index data of the待测件 (the specific term here may need to be further clarified). The pause function before fiber fusion of the fiber fusion splicer can achieve the alignment and pressing of the bare fibers between the fibers, so that the fiber jumper meets the measurement conditions of the through mode of the optical delay measuring instrument. The cooperation of the optical delay measuring instrument and the fiber fusion splicer can achieve fiber length measurement with an accuracy of 0.01mm. Through the tooling fixture, the high-precision displacement stage and the fiber cutting knife work together to make the fiber groove on the displacement stage coaxial with the fiber groove on the fiber cutting knife. The high-precision displacement stage clamps the fiber and moves it in the length direction to control the fiber length to be cut, achieving fiber cutting with an accuracy of 0.01mm. Finally, use the fiber fusion splicer to fuse the two sections of the jumper to precisely control the length of the fiber jumper.

[0037] A specific example is given below.

[0038] (1) The target length is 1600.00 mm. The actual length is measured to be 2000.00 mm using the through-measurement mode of the high-precision optical delay measuring instrument, and the difference d1 is 400 mm.

[0039] (2) Use a fiber optic cutter to cut the fiber optic patch cord into two sections, A and B, and use Miller pliers to remove the coating layer near the break of the patch cord.

[0040] (3) Roughly cut section A. The actual length after cutting is 1615.91 mm. Figure 4 As shown, the difference d2 is 15.91 mm.

[0041] (4) Adjust the knob of the translation stage so that the scale is at "10". Align the fiber break of section A with the outer edge of the fiber cleaver pressure plate, and then press the fiber cover on the translation stage. In this example, the cleaver is 8.81 mm away from the outer edge. Calculate d3 = d2-8.81 = 7.1 mm. Use the translation stage to move the corresponding distance d3 and then use the cleaver to cut off a section of the fiber.

[0042] (5) Use a fiber fusion splicer to fusion-join the A and B sections of the fiber jumper, and use a high-precision optical delay measuring instrument to confirm the final length. The measured fiber length is 1600.03 mm, with an error of less than 0.05 mm. Figure 5 shown.

Claims

1. A method for accurately controlling the length of an optical fiber jumper, characterized in that: Including: (1) Using the direct measurement mode of a high-precision optical delay measuring instrument to accurately measure the length of the optical fiber jumper to be processed, and obtaining the difference d1 between the actual length and the target length; (2) Using an optical fiber cutter to cut the optical fiber jumper in the middle into two sections A and B, removing the coating layer near the jumper fracture, and keeping the length of section B unchanged; (3) Coarsely cutting section A with an optical fiber cutter, then connecting sections A and B to the output and input ends of the high-precision optical delay measuring instrument respectively, placing the bare fiber ends of sections A and B in the left and right fusion V-grooves of an optical fiber fusion splicer respectively, setting the pre-fusion pause function to achieve the alignment and contact of the bare fibers, so that the optical fiber jumper meets the measurement conditions of the direct measurement mode of the high-precision optical delay measuring instrument, and obtaining the difference d2 between the actual length and the target length after cutting; (4) Using a tooling to make the high-precision displacement stage and the optical fiber cutter work together to finely cut section A to reach the target length; (5) Using an optical fiber fusion splicer to fuse sections A and B of the optical fiber jumper, and using a high-precision optical delay measuring instrument to confirm the final length.

2. The method for accurately controlling the length of an optical fiber jumper according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step (2), the coating layer near the jumper fracture is removed using a Miller pliers.

3. The method for accurately controlling the length of an optical fiber jumper according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step (3), according to the difference d1 and with the help of a tape measure, section A is coarsely cut.

4. The method for accurately controlling the length of an optical fiber jumper according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step (3), the length difference d2 after coarse cutting needs to satisfy Lmm < d2 < L + 10mm to adapt to the stroke range of the high-precision displacement stage, where L is the distance between the optical fiber cutter and the outer edge of the pressing plate.

5. The method for accurately controlling the length of an optical fiber jumper according to claim 4, characterized in that: In step (4), the optical fiber cutter and the high-precision displacement stage adopt a tooling fixture to make the optical fiber groove on the high-precision displacement stage coaxial with the optical fiber groove on the optical fiber cutter.

6. The method for accurately controlling the length of an optical fiber jumper according to claim 5, characterized in that: Adjust the displacement stage knob, and the high-precision displacement stage adjusts its position along the optical fiber axis, and the displacement knob scale is adjusted to the maximum scale "10" of the displacement stage.

7. The method for accurately controlling the length of an optical fiber jumper according to claim 6, characterized in that: After aligning the optical fiber fracture of section A with the outer edge of the pressing plate of the optical fiber cutter, press the optical fiber cover plate on the displacement stage, use the knob on the high-precision displacement stage to realize the axial movement of the optical fiber, and according to the scale on the knob, move the optical fiber outwards by a distance of d3, then cover the pressing plate on the optical fiber cutter to perform precise cutting of the optical fiber; d3 = d2 - L.

8. The method for accurately controlling the length of an optical fiber jumper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The measurement accuracy of the optical fiber length is 0.01mm.

9. The method for accurately controlling the length of an optical fiber jumper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cutting accuracy of the optical fiber is 0.01mm.

10. A system for implementing the method for accurately controlling the length of an optical fiber jumper according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: Including a high-precision optical delay measuring instrument, an optical fiber fusion splicer, a high-precision displacement stage and an optical fiber cutter, where the high-precision optical delay measuring instrument has a direct measurement mode, the optical fiber fusion splicer has a pause function after optical fiber alignment and before fusion, and the high-precision displacement stage and the optical fiber cutter adopt a tooling fixture to work together.

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