Air Gap Interface for Multimode Fiber Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Physical contact between multimode optical fibers in connectors can damage the end-faces and introduce contamination, leading to increased signal loss and disruption in optical networks.
Innovation Solution
A fiber-to-fiber connector system that creates an air gap interface between the end-faces of multimode optical fibers, eliminating physical contact and the need for attenuation film, thereby reducing damage and signal loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If physical contact is established between optical fiber end-faces via connectors, then the optical signal can traverse the interface with minimized power loss, but the physical contact imparts force and pressure on the end-faces causing damage and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an air gap as an intermediary medium between the two optical fiber end-faces. This air gap physically separates the end-faces, eliminating direct contact and the associated mechanical stress and contamination risks, while still allowing optical signal transmission through the interface with controlled attenuation.
2Productivity
If physical contact is established between optical fiber end-faces, then the interface permits optical signal transmission, but physical pressure causes impurities and contamination to damage the end-face and increase signal loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes the harmful physical contact element from the fiber connection interface. By taking out the direct end-face contact and replacing it with an air gap, the source of contamination and damage (physical pressure) is eliminated while the optical transmission function is preserved through the air gap interface.
3Loss of energy
If attenuation film is applied on the end-face to control signal loss, then the physical contact interface can limit attenuation, but the attenuation film is damaged by the physical contact force
Solution Approach 1:
The air gap acts as an intermediary that eliminates the need for attenuation film on the end-face. By introducing this physical separation, the patent removes the vulnerable attenuation film from the contact interface entirely, while still achieving controlled optical signal transmission through the air gap with defined attenuation characteristics.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The air gap interface reduces end-face damage, extends the life of connectors, and maintains a fixed quantity of attenuation, minimizing data loss and service disruptions in optical networks.
Implementation Method 1
the air gap interface may enable, based on the defined spacing, an optical signal to be transmitted between the first fiber and the second fiber with a fixed quantity of attenuation
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber-to-fiber connector system that includes a first connector for housing a portion of a first fiber, where the first fiber is terminated by a first end-face. The fiber-to-fiber connection system also includes a second connector for housing a portion of a second fiber, where the second fiber is terminated by a second end-face, where the first connector and the second connector permit the first fiber and the second fiber to be interconnected to form an air gap interface between the first end-face and the second end-face; the air gap interface defines a spacing between the first end-face and the second end-face; and the air gap interface enables, based on the defined spacing, an optical signal to be transmitted between the first fiber and the second fiber with a fixed quantity of attenuation.