Abstract: An optical module inspection circuit on an optical platform includes an optical module carrier for precisely aligning optical devices with optical interfaces of inspection equipment located at fixed positions in the optical module inspection circuit. The module-includes an apparatus for conveyance along a top surface of the optical platform. The module may be conveyed automatically to predetermined positions on the optical platform to automate alignment and positioning of optical devices with respect to optical inspection stations in the optical test circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing parallel asynchronous testing of a plurality of optical modules utilizes state machines that may be implemented in a common controller. Desired optical tests are selected by an operator. The invention determines if a testing process or instrument required for the selected optical tests is available. A COM port may also be locked for each of the selected optical tests from among a plurality of COM ports to prevent interference between different tests. By reserving resources such as COM ports and testing instruments in this fashion the invention may asynchronously initiate execution of the selected optical tests. If a resource such as a COM port, testing process or instrument is not currently available, the test is place in COM port and testing queues to await availability of that resource. Once a test is completed, the resource is unlocked so that one of the state machines may asynchronously initiate another test.

Abstract: A system for conducting optical tests on a plurality of optical modules includes a plurality of optical signal sources and optical signal degradation elements optically communicating with input switches. The input switches sources supply optical test signals to optical modules (units under test) plugged into a common shelf. Output optical switches supply the output signals to a range of optical test equipment. A controller utilizes a database of test recipes to supervise and control the optical signal sources, optical signal degradation elements, units under test, input switches, output switches, and test equipment to conduct a variety of optical tests on the modules. With this architecture it is possible to subject a variety of different optical modules to a variety of different optical tests.

Abstract: A system for calibrating a plurality of optical modules includes a plurality of optical signal sources and optical signal degradation elements optically communicating with input switches. The input switches supply optical test signals to optical modules (units under test) plugged into a common shelf. Calibration switches including variable optical attenuators may be used to adjust the input signal levels and alternately supply adjusted signals to an optical power meter and the units under test. A controller is used to control the adjustment and thereby provide defined, measured signal levels to the units under test. By reading data from the units under test and using these defined signal levels, the optical modules may be calibrated or diagnosed. Output optical switches are used in a similar fashion to calibrate or diagnose the outputs of the units under test. In addition to input/output power calibration, the invention may also perform wavelength calibrations.

Abstract: A method of controlling an optical fiber splicing machine utilizes a power control mode to control the amount of power delivered to fuse the fibers. In the power control mode, the attenuation is measured while the fusing process is occurring. The power control mode shuts down the splicer when the measured insertion loss is less than or equal to the target insertion loss value plus a margin value. The margin value accounts for the transient attenuation difference value indicative of the changing attenuation as the splice cools. If the desired attenuation is not achieved, an energy control mode is utilized which controls the amount of energy delivered to fuse the fibers. After delivering this energy, the method measures the attenuation. If not within desired values, the energy mode is repeated. At each iteration the splicing control function utilized by the energy control mode may be reprogrammed. With these techniques, optical fibers may be spliced having a controlled attenuation to within +/−0.

Abstract: A method of controlling an optical fiber splicing machine utilizes an optimized power control mode to control the amount of power delivered to fuse the fibers. The attenuation is measured while the fusing process is occurring and a final jump value is calculated. The final jump value is indicative of the transient attenuation difference that occurs as the splice cools. The optimized power control mode shuts down the splicer when the measured insertion loss is less than or equal to the difference between the estimated final jump value and the desired attenuation. The final jump value may also be recalculated as further data are gathered during the splicing process. If the desired attenuation is not achieved, an optimized energy control mode is utilized which determines optimal energy settings and controls the amount of energy delivered to fuse the fibers. After delivering this energy, the method measures the attenuation. If not within desired values, the optimized energy mode is repeated.

Abstract: A system and method analyze raw data derived from a manufacturing control facility, the manufacturing control facility for manufacturing at least one device by execution of a sequence of assembly operations. A preprocessor is used to receive the raw data from the manufacturing control facility and to configure the raw data into a predetermined database format. The raw data after being configured by the preprocessor is stored into a database. A server transmits queries and results between the database and at least one user terminal. The results transmitted by the server are displayed on at least one graphical user interface at the user terminal, the results being indicative of at least one performance parameter of the assembly operations.

Abstract: Control of an interconnection process for optical fibers involves evaluating the status of all modules used in the process and moving an optical fiber through the process in accordance with the status of the modules. Such control allows more than one fiber, and more than one fiber type, to be processed simultaneously. The processing may be optimized using fuzzy logic to track when operations performed by a module are near completion. A graphical user interface displaying the movement of the optical fibers through the process may also be provided.

Abstract: Control of an interconnection process for optical fibers involves evaluating the status of all modules used in the process and moving an optical fiber through the process in accordance with the status of the modules. Such control allows more than one fiber, and more than one fiber type, to be processed simultaneously. The processing may be optimized using fuzzy logic to track when operations performed by a module are near completion. A graphical user interface displaying the movement of the optical fibers through the process may also be provided.

Abstract: Control of an interconnection process for optical fibers involves evaluating the status of all modules used in the process and moving an optical fiber through the process in accordance with the status of the modules. Such control allows more than one fiber, and more than one fiber type, to be processed simultaneously. The processing may be optimized using fuzzy logic to track when operations performed by a module are near completion. A graphical user interface displaying the movement of the optical fibers through the process may also be provided.

Abstract: A workstation for use in the assembly of component parts includes a computer terminal having a display and at least one input device, a test apparatus operatively coupled to the computer terminal, and an application program which generates a first display screen for display of an assembly procedure to be followed by an assembler on the display of the computer terminal and a second display screen for display of test results obtained by the test apparatus on said display of said computer terminal. In the case where at least one of multiple assembly steps includes a test function, the application program automatically performs the test function using the test equipment and inhibits display of a next assembly step in the event that results of the test function are outside predetermined parameters.

Abstract: A vision system is provided which allows viewing and/or inspection of an end surface of an optical fiber through a bulkhead on a backplane of a rack. By placing such a vision system on a mount configured to be inserted in the rack, the use of such a vision system does not require the rack design be modified or that other modules be removed. Preferably an adapter for mating the vision system with the bulkhead may be moved to position the adapter relative to the bulkhead housing the fiber of interest.

Abstract: A communications system includes a plurality of work stations and a relational database operatively linked therewith. Each of the workstations includes a computer terminal having a display and at least one input device, test apparatus operatively coupled to said computer terminal, and an assembly application program which generates a first display of an assembly procedure to be followed by an assembler on said display of said computer terminal and a second display screen for display of test results obtained by said test apparatus on said display of said computer terminal. The relational database stores data which is independent of the assembly program and which indicative of the assembly procedure used by the assembly application program. A data structure of the relational database includes an tracking table and an action table, in which the tracking table being used to link to data contained in the action table.

Abstract: An optical assembly workstation includes a principal work surface and a movable work surface arranged above the principal work surface, with the elevated work surface being movable back and forth in at least one axial direction relative to the principal work surface. A frame assembly provides both support and a mechanism for moving the elevated work surface relative to the principal work surface. The movable work surface is either configured to receive an optical work piece, or is itself the optical work piece. The arrangement of a movable work surface over the principal work surface provides flexibility in optical test and optical assembly equipment placement, frees the principal work surface area of clutter, and reduces the probability of inadvertent damage to the optical fibers and optical assemblies being manufactured or tested at the optical assembly workstation.

Abstract: An apparatus for integrating steps of a process for interconnecting optical fibers. The apparatus contains a planar surface having a plurality of openings. A plurality of optical fiber processing modules are suspended within the plurality of openings, with each of the modules configured to execute a different step of the optical fiber interconnection process. A material transfer mechanism, such as a robot arm, is arranged above the planar surface and is connected to a controller. The apparatus can incorporate an optical fiber precision handling tool, which holds, transports and aligns the fibers to be processed. The robot arm is operative to pick-up and move the optical fiber precision handling tool between the plurality of modules. This allows the optical fibers to be transferred through a series of process steps without having to re-secure or re-orient the fibers between the steps.

Abstract: An optical module inspection circuit on an optical platform includes an optical module carrier for precisely aligning optical devices with optical interfaces of inspection equipment located at fixed positions in the optical module inspection circuit. The module includes an apparatus for conveyance along a top surface of the optical platform. The module may be conveyed automatically to predetermined positions on the optical platform to automate alignment and positioning of optical devices with respect to optical inspection stations in the optical test circuit.

Abstract: The component parts for assembly of a device, such as the passive optical components of an optical amplifier, are automatically selected from among a supply of available component parts. Each component part has a performance parameter such as insertion loss associated therewith. Stored in a database memory are component part data for each component part of the supply of available component parts. The component part data are in a computer readable format and indicative of a type of each part and the performance parameter of each part. To obtain the selection of parts of the device for assembly, the component part data for a plurality of the available component parts is retrieved from the database, and the thus retrieved plurality of component part data are sorted according to at least the performance parameter of each retrieved component part data. At least one component part among the sorted component part data is selected based on a preset parameter.

Abstract: A linear stripper for removing a coating on a fiber optic cable, includes a guide rail and a cutting assembly slidably connected to the guide rail. The cutting assembly has a passage configured to accommodate a fiber optic cable threaded therethrough. A blade assembly has a pair of blades disposed within the cutting assembly, with each of the pair of blades being horizontally positioned on an opposing side of the passage. A cutting tip of each of the blades simultaneously scores an outer coating of a fiber optic cable placed in the passage, as the cutting assembly slides along the guide rail. The outer coating is then peeled away from the fiber optic cable along the scored incisions.

Abstract: A calibration apparatus and method for a polishing machine includes a ferrule surrounding a polishing pad and a plurality of sensors attached to the ferrule. Each of the sensors is directed at a location where optical fibers extending downwardly from a leveling device contact the polishing pad. The sensors are infrared sensors that detect a heat signature generated by friction at the contact point between the optical fibers and the polishing pad as the polishing pad spins and revolves relative to the leveling device. The heat signature that is generated corresponds to the pressure existing between the optical fibers and the polishing pad.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting an optical fiber, particularly an epoxy region of an optical fiber in a supporting structure. The inspection may use an initialization routine including determination of whether the centering between the optical fiber and the illumination source is sufficient. The meters used to determine completion of initialization may be displayed. The inspection may analyze the uniformity of the thickness of an epoxy layer between the fiber and the supporting structure. The inspection may also analyze the core and clad zones of the optical fiber for scratches and other intensity variations, referred to generically as blobs. The core zone preferably encompasses a region larger than the core alone, e.g., an area which is a multiple of the core diameter. Different criteria are established for the core and clad zones, with no discontinuities being tolerated in the core zone. Scratches may be extracted using a windowing technique.