MCF-FIFO Connection Alignment for Low-Loss Core Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Connecting multi-core fibers (MCF) to fan-in/fan-out (FIFO) devices is challenging due to the difficulty in ensuring low loss connections and consistent optical power distribution across cores, requiring multiple optical axis adjustments and disconnections during the connection process.
Innovation Solution
An MCF connection system that utilizes a light source to input inspection light with distinct characteristics to each core, an identification means to measure optical power, and a connection means to adjust the optical axis for each core to ensure the power falls within a predetermined range, allowing for a single high-quality connection without repeated disconnections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple optical axis adjustments and disconnections are performed to ensure low loss connections, then connection quality is improved, but device complexity and operation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing optical axis adjustment in a first direction before disconnection, then adjusting in a second direction after reconnection. This staged approach allows the system to achieve precise alignment through multiple adjustments without requiring complex real-time feedback loops, thereby improving connection quality while managing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamics by enabling flexible adjustment of optical axes in multiple directions (first direction and second direction perpendicular to each other) during the connection process. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to alignment variations and achieve optimal connection quality through iterative adjustments rather than a fixed single-step process.
2Reliability
If multiple optical axis adjustments and disconnections are performed to ensure low loss connections, then connection quality is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary optical axis adjustment in the first direction before disconnection, establishing a baseline alignment. Subsequent adjustments in the second direction after reconnection build upon this preliminary work, reducing the total adjustment time needed compared to performing all adjustments from scratch without the benefit of preliminary alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by preserving the alignment achieved during the first optical axis adjustment through the disconnection and reconnection process. The second adjustment builds upon the preliminary work rather than starting anew, ensuring that the useful alignment action continues uninterrupted and reduces overall connection time while maintaining quality.
3Ease of operation
If optical axis adjustment is performed without inspection light input, then operation simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision of connection loss cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by inputting inspection light through the optical fiber during the connection process and measuring the optical power at multiple points. This feedback mechanism provides real-time information about connection loss, enabling precise measurement and adjustment of optical axis alignment without complicating the overall operation, as the feedback is integrated into the standard adjustment procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inspection light as an intermediary to enable measurement of connection loss during the optical axis adjustment process. The inspection light serves as a mediator that carries information about the connection quality without requiring separate complex measurement systems, thereby achieving precise measurement while maintaining operational simplicity.
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 high-quality, low-loss connections between MCF and FIFO by optimizing optical axis alignment for each core, reducing variation in connection loss and ensuring reliable fusion-splicing.
Implementation Method 1
a multi core fiber (MCF) transmission path including N cores; a light source that outputs, to one end of the first FIFO, N pieces of inspection light having different characteristics from one another
Implementation Method 2
the connection means adjusts, for each core, an optical axis between another end of the first FIFO and the first end part in such a way that a value of each piece of the first optical power falls within a predetermined range
Data Source
AI summary
An MCF connection system includes: MCF transmission path that has cores of a quantity of N; a first FIFO; a light source that outputs, to one end of the first FIFO, a quantity of N inspection lights having mutually different characteristics; a connection device that optically connects a first end part forming one end of the MCF transmission path and the other end of the first FIFO; an identification device that identifies a characteristic of an inspection light output from a second end part forming the other end of the MCF transmission path; and a measurement device that measures, for each core of the MCF transmission path, a first optical power, which is the optical power of the inspection light output from the second end part, in correspondence with the characteristic.