Abstract: The system determines whether an orientation of a ferrule was changed between measurements made to the end face geometry of the ferrule. Accordingly, the systems allows confirmation that a ferrule was re-oriented between measurements before calculating any deviations in the measurement tool and applying corrective algorithms. An indication (e.g., alarm, error message, etc.) may be conveyed to the user to properly re-orient the ferrule.

Abstract: A light source unit generates an optical signal out of a bend-insensitive (“BI”) optical fiber that is compliant with a desired encircled flux (“EF”). The unit includes a light source to generate an optical light signal and a conventional multimode optical fiber coupled to receive the optical light signal from the light source at a first end. A modal conditioner is arranged to condition the optical light signal propagating along different modes of the conventional multimode fiber. A first bend-insensitive (BI) multimode optical fiber has an input end, the input end of the first BI multimode optical fiber being coupled at a second end of the conventional multimode optical fiber to receive the conditioned optical light signal from the conventional multimode fiber. The output from the first BI multimode optical fiber outputs an optical signal having the desired EF.

Abstract: A light source unit generates an optical signal out of a bend-insensitive (“BI”) optical fiber that is compliant with a desired encircled flux (“EF”). The unit includes a light source to generate an optical light signal and a conventional multimode optical fiber coupled to receive the optical light signal from the light source at a first end. A modal conditioner is arranged to condition the optical light signal propagating along different modes of the conventional multimode fiber. A first bend-insensitive (BI) multimode optical fiber has an input end, the input end of the first BI multimode optical fiber being coupled at a second end of the conventional multimode optical fiber to receive the conditioned optical light signal from the conventional multimode fiber. The output from the first BI multimode optical fiber outputs an optical signal having the desired EF.

Abstract: An inspection tool for allowing visual inspection of an end face of a fiber optic ferrule. The inspection tool includes a passage for allowing a camera to view the end face. The inspection tool also includes light directing structure for first directing ferrule illumination light axially along the inspection tool, and then reflecting the axial light across the end face of the fiber optic ferrule.

Abstract: The output profile of light from a multimode optical fiber is determined using a geometrical optics approach where the rays launched into the fiber conform to LP-modes of the fiber. This output profile can then be employed as an input to a second fiber to calculate the transmission losses of a coupler that introduces various coupling inaccuracies, such as lateral offset, axial offset, and angular offset.

Abstract: An inspection tool for allowing visual inspection of an end face of a fiber optic ferrule. The inspection tool includes a passage for allowing a camera to view the end face. The inspection tool also includes light directing structure for first directing ferrule illumination light axially along the inspection tool, and then reflecting the axial light across the end face of the fiber optic ferrule.

Abstract: A light source unit generates an optical signal out of a bend-insensitive (“BI”) optical fiber that is compliant with a desired encircled flux (“EF”). The unit includes a light source to generate an optical light signal and a conventional multimode optical fiber coupled to receive the optical light signal from the light source at a first end. A modal conditioner is arranged to condition the optical light signal propagating along different modes of the conventional multimode fiber. A first bend-insensitive (BI) multimode optical fiber has an input end, the input end of the first BI multimode optical fiber being coupled at a second end of the conventional multimode optical fiber to receive the conditioned optical light signal from the conventional multimode fiber. The output from the first BI multimode optical fiber outputs an optical signal having the desired EF.

Abstract: The output profile of light from a multimode optical fiber is determined using a geometrical optics approach where the rays launched into the fiber conform to LP-modes of the fiber. This output profile can then be employed as an input to a second fiber to calculate the transmission losses of a coupler that introduces various coupling inaccuracies, such as lateral offset, axial offset, and angular offset.

Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule inspection tool (100) inspects and cleans a fiber optic ferrule (900). The tool includes a mounting arrangement (216), a camera (500), a grazing light assembly (800), an axial light (512), and a nozzle (320, 320?). The mounting arrangement (216) is adapted to releasably mount the fiber optic ferrule. The camera (500) is mounted to the mounting arrangement and captures at least one image (920, 922) of the fiber optic ferrule. The grazing light assembly (800) is mounted to the mounting arrangement and is adapted to emit grazing light and thereby illuminate an end (902) of the fiber optic ferrule. Rays (rg) of the grazing light are oriented to the end of the fiber optic ferrule within an angular range of 0 to 30 degrees. Rays (ra) of the axial light (512) are oriented to the end of the fiber optic ferrule about an angular range within 30 to 90 degrees.

Abstract: An optical ferrule comprising: (a) a body defining an end face; (b) one or more channels extending from said end face through said body, each channel adapted to receive an optical fiber; and (c) first and second alignment pin channels defined in said end face, each alignment pin channel having a center point, said center points being disposed along a first axis, said first alignment pin channel having a first cross section essentially the same as that of an alignment pin and being adapted to receive said alignment pin, said second alignment pin channel having a second cross section elongated along said first axis.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a ferrule for aligning optical transports within an optical connector for coupling to a mating optical connector for purposes of aligning the optical transports in the first connector with optical transports in the mating connector. The ferrule comprises a main body portion defining a longitudinal cavity running between a front face and the rear face of the main ferrule body. The cavity has an opening to a lateral side of the ferrule main body that permits the installation of optical transports into the cavity from a lateral direction (as well as still permitting longitudinal installation, if desired). A cover may be provided for closing off the lateral opening after the optical transports are installed in the cavity.

Abstract: An optical ferrule comprising: (a) a body defining an end face; (b) one or more channels extending from said end face through said body, each channel adapted to receive an optical fiber; and (c) first and second alignment pin channels defined in said end face, each alignment pin channel having a center point, said center points being disposed along a first axis, said first alignment pin channel having a first cross section essentially the same as that of an alignment pin and being adapted to receive said alignment pin, said second alignment pin channel having a second cross section elongated along said first axis.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a ferrule for aligning optical transports within an optical connector for coupling to a mating optical connector for purposes of aligning the optical transports in the first connector with optical transports in the mating connector. The ferrule comprises a main body portion defining a longitudinal cavity running between a front face and the rear face of the main ferrule body. The cavity has an opening to a lateral side of the ferrule main body that permits the installation of optical transports into the cavity from a lateral direction (as well as still permitting longitudinal installation, if desired). A cover may be provided for closing off the lateral opening after the optical transports are installed in the cavity.

Abstract: A ferrule assembly comprising: (a) an array of optical fibers each having a mating end face; and (b) a ferrule with the fibers disposed therein, the ferrule having a front and rear orientation and a front surface, the front surface having at least a mating surface and a non-mating surface, the mating surface extending forward beyond the non-mating surface and presenting the mating end face of at least one of the fibers.

Abstract: A ferrule assembly comprising: (a) an array of optical fibers each having a mating end face; and (b) a ferrule with the fibers disposed therein, the ferrule having a front and rear orientation and a front surface, the front surface having at least a mating surface and a non-mating surface, the mating surface extending forward beyond the non-mating surface and presenting the mating end face of at least one of the fibers.