Optical Connector Verification Using Laser Power Loss Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to detect defective optical connectors as a cause of impaired optical transmission, despite the presence of other potential causes beyond fiber breakage, optical line failure, and excitation light source failure.
Innovation Solution
An optical connector connection determining apparatus that uses a connection confirming laser beam to assess the integrity of optical connections by passing through all portions of the optical fibers retained in both connectors, employing wavelength division multiplexing couplers and prisms to demultiplex and multiplex laser beams, and determining connection quality based on optical power ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional monitoring methods are used for optical fiber breakage, optical line failure, and excitation light source failure, then these specific failures can be detected, but defective optical connectors cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the laser beam serve multiple functions: it acts as both the excitation light source for optical signal transmission and the connection confirming laser beam for detecting connector defects. This multi-functional approach enables the system to detect defective optical connectors in addition to the previously detectable failures, thereby expanding detection scope while maintaining system reliability
2Reliability
If a laser beam is passed through optical fibers to confirm connection, then defective connectors can be detected, but the system becomes more complex with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing laser beam serve dual purposes: as the excitation light source for normal optical signal transmission and as the connection confirming laser beam for detecting connector connections. By reusing the same laser beam for both functions, the system achieves accurate connection detection without adding complex separate detection systems, thus improving reliability while minimizing increased device complexity
3Measurement precision
If connection confirming laser beam is introduced into one optical fiber and extracted from another, then connection integrity can be assessed, but optical power loss measurement requires additional sections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical fiber system into distinct functional sections: an introduction optical fiber for injecting the connection confirming laser beam, extraction optical fibers for retrieving the beam, and intermediate optical fibers for beam transfer. This segmentation allows precise measurement of optical power loss at different connection points, improving measurement precision while organizing the system into manageable functional modules
4Reliability
If connection confirming laser beam is transferred between intermediate optical fibers, then all fiber portions can be tested, but beam loss and scattering increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the connection confirming laser beam into the optical fiber system before the actual connection assessment is performed. By preliminarily injecting the beam and allowing it to propagate through all intermediate optical fibers and connector portions, the system can comprehensively verify connection integrity across the entire optical path. This preliminary action enables complete coverage of all fiber portions while minimizing energy loss by establishing the beam path in advance
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
Effectively identifies defective optical connections by measuring optical power loss, enabling timely replacement of connectors to maintain transmission quality.
Implementation Method 1
a connection confirming laser beam source arranged to output a connection confirming laser beam to be used to confirm a connection between the first optical connector and the second optical connector
Implementation Method 2
employing wavelength division multiplexing couplers and prisms to demultiplex and multiplex laser beams
Implementation Method 3
determining connection quality based on optical power ratios
Data Source
AI summary
An optical connector connection determining apparatus includes a connection confirming laser beam source, that outputs a connection confirming laser beam to be used to confirm a connection between a first optical connector and a second optical connector. The apparatus further includes a connection confirming laser beam introducing section, that introduces the connection confirming laser beam into an introduction optical fiber, which is one of first optical fibers. The apparatus further includes a connection confirming laser beam extracting section, that extracts the connection confirming laser beam from an extraction optical fiber, which is one of the first optical fibers other than the introduction optical fiber. The apparatus further includes a connection determining section, that determines whether or not the connection between the first optical connector and the second optical connector is non-defective based on the connection confirming laser beam extracted through the connection confirming laser beam extracting section.