Ribbon Fiber Cable Testing With Single Sensor And Gradient Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing ribbon fiber cables are inefficient and costly, as they require multiple optical sensors to measure transmission loss and array of optical fibers, and cannot determine which fiber the light is exiting from, making it difficult to accurately test the array of optical fibers.
Innovation Solution
A testing method using a single optical sensor that incidentally measures the power of light exiting from each optical fiber, with a transmission unit that monotonically changes the ratio of transmitted light, allowing for the calculation of a ratio to determine the array of optical fibers, and a system comprising a light emitting device, adapter, and optical sensor with a transmission unit that can be switched between positions to measure both transmission loss and array.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple optical sensors are used to measure transmission loss and array of optical fibers, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single optical sensor is designed to perform multiple measurement functions: measuring transmission loss and determining the array configuration of optical fibers. The sensor integrates both transmission loss detection capability and array position detection capability, eliminating the need for separate sensors for each measurement type.
Solution Approach 2:
A light-receiving unit with position-sensitive detection capability acts as an intermediary between the optical fiber and the measurement system. This unit can determine both the intensity of received light (for transmission loss) and the position of the light-receiving area (for array configuration), enabling a single sensor to perform multiple measurement functions.
2Productivity
If a large-diameter optical sensor is used to receive light from every end face, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light-receiving unit incorporates a position-sensitive detection mechanism that can dynamically identify the position of received light within the sensor area. This dynamic position detection capability allows the system to determine which specific optical fiber end face the light originated from, even when using a large-diameter sensor, thereby maintaining measurement precision while improving productivity.
3Device complexity
If a single optical sensor is used without branching the ribbon fiber cable, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses position-sensitive detection to identify the local position of received light within the optical sensor. By determining the position of the light-receiving area, the system can identify which specific optical fiber the light originated from, enabling precise measurement with a single sensor without requiring physical branching of the ribbon fiber cable.
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 testing of both transmission loss and array of optical fibers using a single sensor without moving the sensor or fibers, providing accurate determination of the optical fiber array by calculating the ratio of transmitted light.
Implementation Method 1
using a common optical sensor to measure the power of the light exiting from each optical fiber
Implementation Method 2
where the member monotonically changes the ratio of transmitted light in the line direction of the plurality of optical fibers
Data Source
AI summary
A method of testing a ribbon fiber cable is provided. The ribbon fiber cable includes optical fibers between a first end face and a second end face. End faces of the optical fibers are lined up in a single line in a line direction. The method includes: injecting light into each optical fiber at the second end face; measuring first power of the light exiting from each optical fiber at the first end face; disposing a member between the first end face and an optical sensor; injecting light into each optical fiber at the second end face; measuring second power of the light exiting from each optical fiber at the first end face; calculating a ratio of the second power to the first power; and testing an array of the optical fibers based on the ratio. Light transmittance of the member monotonically varies in the line direction.