Duplex Optical Power Loss Testing With Interchangeable Fiber Adapters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical power loss measurement methods for duplex optical-fiber devices are inefficient and incompatible with varying duplex connector formats, requiring two large-area detectors that cannot accommodate varying ferrule spacings, thus necessitating separate testing of each fiber and complicating bi-directional testing.
Innovation Solution
The use of interchangeable duplex adapters with optical fibers having larger core diameters and numerical apertures, allowing for a one-cord testing method compatible with various duplex connector formats, including single-mode and multimode fibers, and enabling simultaneous testing of both fibers without additional measurement uncertainty.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two large-area detectors are used to capture light directly out of two ferrules, then optical power loss measurement can be performed, but the device cannot accommodate varying ferrule spacings between different duplex connector formats
Solution Approach 1:
An optical fiber expansion device is introduced as an intermediary component between the duplex connector and the power meter detector. This expansion device includes optical fibers with larger core diameters and numerical apertures that can capture light from ferrules with varying spacings and guide it to the detector, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining measurement precision and accommodating connector format versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber expansion device utilizes parameters such as larger core diameter and higher numerical aperture to change the light capture characteristics. These parameter changes enable the system to accept light from ferrules with different spacings while maintaining the ability to perform accurate optical power loss measurements
2Measurement precision
If separate testing of each fiber is performed, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but testing efficiency decreases and bi-directional testing becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber expansion device merges the testing of two fibers into a single integrated measurement process. By capturing light from both ferrules simultaneously through the expansion device's optical fibers and guiding them to the power meter, the system achieves both high measurement accuracy and improved testing efficiency, eliminating the need for separate fiber testing procedures
3Device complexity
If a fixed detector configuration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different duplex connector formats is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber expansion device serves as a versatile intermediary that maintains a simple fixed detector configuration in the power meter while providing adaptability to different duplex connector formats. The expansion device comes in different configurations to match various connector types, allowing the power meter itself to remain simple while the system as a whole becomes highly adaptable
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
Enables efficient, simultaneous optical power loss measurement of duplex optical-fiber devices with different connector formats, supporting bi-directional testing and maintaining measurement accuracy by using optical-fiber expansion devices with compatible core diameters and numerical apertures.
Implementation Method 1
two optical fibers each extending between one ferrule of the first duplex connector interface and one ferrule of the second duplex connector interface
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a solution for measuring the optical power loss of duplex optical-fiber devices under test, and particularly those terminated with a duplex connector interface, which allows for a one-cord testing method whichever the format of the duplex connector interface of the optical-fiber device under test, without disconnecting the optical fibers of the device under test from their duplex native connector interface. Provided is an optical-fiber expansion device used to interconnect and adapt a power meter instrument to a variety of duplex connectors. The optical-fiber expansion device comprises a pair of optical fibers having a core diameter and a numerical aperture greater than the optical fiber in the DUT connector interface, to make it compatible with the one-cord testing method. Interchangeable optical-fiber expansion devices can be used to match the power meter interface on one side, to various duplex connector interfaces under test on the other side.