Abstract: Methods and systems for automated health assessment of fiber optic links of a fiber optic communication system are described. Tables are used to describe the fiber optic links, including access addresses to communication modules used in the links. Telemetry data representative of operation of the communication modules can be read via the access addresses into a central station. OTDR/OFDR measurement data of fiber optic segments used in the links can be read via the access addresses into the central station. The telemetry and/or OTDR/OFDR measurement data can be used by the central station for comparison against reference data to assess health of the links. The communication modules locally and continuously capture the telemetry data to detect transient events that may be the result of tampering of the links.

Abstract: A protective assembly method using a transparent layer within the fiber interconnect system aids in optical coupling by preventing an air gap from forming between the fiber cores within a connector. A fiber protection device made of a thin transparent film, which includes an adhesive layer, is applied over the fiber end-faces at the connector interface, the film having characteristics which allows it to conform to the fiber end and minimize coupling loss between fibers. According to one aspect, the film is part of a cartridge that provides structural support for the film to facilitate application of the fiber protection device. The film may be divided by perforate patterns that define one or more fiber protection devices formed by the film. The assembly method can include usage of an applicator base plate upon which the cartridge is mounted. According to another aspect, the film may be part of a single-use disposable pod for application of a single fiber protection device.

Abstract: Methods and devices for coupling light bidirectionally into optical fiber are described. The disclosed devices can be manufactured inexpensively in one-piece and integrated in high speed optical transceivers with small form-factor. The described methods and devices enable OTDR functionality in such transceivers and are compatible with sensor components mounted on a wiring or circuit board.

Abstract: A protective assembly method using a transparent layer within the fiber interconnect system aids in optical coupling by preventing an air gap from forming between the fiber cores within a connector. A thin transparent film (or with adhesive) is placed over the fiber end-faces at the connector interface, the film having characteristics which allows it to conform to the fiber end and minimize coupling loss between fibers. The film is sized to fit connectors faces and can be temporary, being replaced with each installation. A coating can also applied to the connector surface, providing a similar effect, as well as structurally enhancing the connector surfaces.

Abstract: A protective assembly method using a transparent layer within the fiber interconnect system aids in optical coupling by preventing an air gap from forming between the fiber cores within a connector. A fiber protection device made of a thin transparent film, which includes an adhesive layer, is applied over the fiber end-faces at the connector interface, the film having characteristics which allows it to conform to the fiber end and minimize coupling loss between fibers. According to one aspect, the film is part of a cartridge that provides structural support for the film to facilitate application of the fiber protection device. The film may be divided by perforate patterns that define one or more fiber protection devices formed by the film. The assembly method can include usage of an applicator base plate upon which the cartridge is mounted. According to another aspect, the film may be part of a single-use disposable pod for application of a single fiber protection device.

Abstract: A protective assembly method using a transparent layer within the fiber interconnect system aids in optical coupling by preventing an air gap from forming between the fiber cores within a connector. A fiber protection device made of a thin transparent film, which includes an adhesive layer, is applied over the fiber end-faces at the connector interface, the film having characteristics which allows it to conform to the fiber end and minimize coupling loss between fibers. According to one aspect, the film is part of a cartridge that provides structural support for the film to facilitate application of the fiber protection device. The film may be divided by perforate patterns that define one or more fiber protection devices formed by the film. The assembly method can include usage of an applicator base plate upon which the cartridge is mounted. According to another aspect, the film may be part of a single-use disposable pod for application of a single fiber protection device.

Abstract: An optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) system with an integrated high speed optical modulator is capable of operating at a speed similar to the OTDR pulse width to improve the measurement resolution and reduce the time required to acquire a high dynamic range OTDR measurement over existing approaches. ASICs can be used to control the modulator and generation of pulses. The high-speed optical modulator enables high resolution single-photon OTDR measurement by blocking out all return light except from the region of fiber under examination.

Abstract: A protective assembly method using a transparent layer within the fiber interconnect system aids in optical coupling by preventing an air gap from forming between the fiber cores within a connector. A thin transparent film (or with adhesive) is placed over the fiber end-faces at the connector interface, the film having characteristics which allows it to conform to the fiber end and minimize coupling loss between fibers. The film is sized to fit connectors faces and can be temporary, being replaced with each installation. A coating can also applied to the connector surface, providing a similar effect, as well as structurally enhancing the connector surfaces.

Abstract: An optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) system with an integrated high speed optical modulator is capable of operating at a speed similar to the OTDR pulse width to improve the measurement resolution and reduce the time required to acquire a high dynamic range OTDR measurement over existing approaches. ASICs can be used to control the modulator and generation of pulses. The high-speed optical modulator enables high resolution single-photon OTDR measurement by blocking out all return light except from the region of fiber under examination.

Abstract: A device structure and system for connecting optical waveguides to optical transmit and receive components is described. The structure is made of two parts. The lower part contains active optoelectronic components, such as lasers and photodetectors, and optical lenses. The lower part can be assembled by steps of aligning and bonding planar components. The upper part contains optical waveguides and lenses for coupling light into and out of the waveguides. The top part is mechanically connected to the lower part to form a mechanically sound connection. The lens system provides some tolerance to mis-alignment between the top and bottom parts. The system has features that enable fiber optic components to operate and survive in harsh environments, particularly large temperature extremes.

Abstract: An optical time domain reflectometry system is described which provides low-power, low weight, optical fiber system integrity measurements in an in-situ optical fiber system. The system can be integrated within the transmitter component to allow both data transmission and OTDR measurement functions. A method of providing several different modes of OTDR measurement through external control is also disclosed.

Abstract: A component for coupling light bi-directionally between optical waveguides and optoelectronic devices is described. This component can be inexpensively manufactured and fits within the existing form-factor of fiber optic transceivers or transmitters, and has features for efficiently coupling laser light to a waveguide and light from the same waveguide to a detector. The described components can be formed as an array to operate within system that operation over parallel optical fibers. Applicability for these components is for optical time domain reflectometry, bi-directional optical communications, remote fiber sensing, and optical range finders.

Abstract: A device structure and system for connecting optical waveguides to optical transmit and receive components is described. The structure is made of two parts. The lower part contains active optoelectronic components, such as lasers and photodetectors, and optical lenses. The lower part can be assembled by steps of aligning and bonding planar components. The upper part contains optical waveguides and lenses for coupling light into and out of the waveguides. The top part is mechanically connected to the lower part to form a mechanically sound connection. The lens system provides some tolerance to mis-alignment between the top and bottom parts. The system has features that enable fiber optic components to operate and survive in harsh environments, particularly large temperature extremes.

Abstract: A component system and method is described that is made of components for transmitting, routing and receiving “in-air” optical signals for placement on printed wiring boards (PWBs). The transmitters are components including a light source attached to a transparent substrate and aligned to a coupling lens. The transparent substrate can contain circuitry for controlling the light source, or the circuitry could be attached to the transparent substrate. The receivers include a light detector attached to a transparent substrate with circuitry for converting optical signals to electrical circuitry (integrated onto the transparent substrate or separately attached). The routing components include a lens for coupling light into an optical waveguide, an optical waveguide and, optionally, a second lens for coupling light from the optical waveguide.

Abstract: A component for coupling light bi-directionally between optical waveguides and optoelectronic devices is described. This component can be inexpensively manufactured and fits within the existing form-factor of fiber optic transceivers or transmitters, and has features for efficiently coupling laser light to a waveguide and light from the same waveguide to a detector. The described components can be formed as an array to operate within system that operation over parallel optical fibers. Applicability for these components is for optical time domain reflectometry, bi-directional optical communications, remote fiber sensing, and optical range finders.