Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for determining a core-to-ferrule offset of a ferrule for a fiber optic connector. A reference ferrule is physically aligned with a core imager by positioning the reference ferrule so that edges of the reference ferrule in a plurality of profile images are aligned with fiducial markers in the images. The reference ferrule is incrementally rotated about its longitudinal center access, a core image captured at each rotational angle, and a reference core-to-ferrule offset determined based on the core images. A test ferrule is physically aligned with the core imager by positioning the test ferrule so that edges of the test ferule are aligned with the edges of the reference ferrule in a plurality of profile images. The core-to-ferrule offset of the test ferrule is then determined based on an offset between the test and reference cores in a composite core image.

Abstract: Methods of reshaping ferrules used in optical fiber cables assemblies are disclosed. The reshaping methods reduce a core-to-ferrule concentricity error (E), which improves coupling efficiency and optical transmission. The methods include measuring a true center of the ferrule, wherein the true center is based on an outer surface of the ferrule; and reshaping at least a portion of the ferrule to change the true center of the ferrule, wherein the reshaping includes enlarging a portion of the ferrule. A variety of reshaping techniques are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of forming a ferrule are disclosed where the ferrule includes an inner member and an outer member. An optical fiber is secured in an axial bore of the inner member, and then offset of a core of the optical fiber from a geometric center of the inner member is determined. The outer member is then formed over the inner member to “correct” for this offset so that the core of the optical fiber ends up closer to the geometric center of the resulting ferrule. Related ferrules and cable assemblies including the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of reshaping ferrules used in optical fiber cables assemblies are disclosed. The reshaping methods reduce a core-to-ferrule concentricity error (E), which improves coupling efficiency and optical transmission. The methods include measuring a true center of the ferrule, wherein the true center is based on an outer surface of the ferrule; and reshaping at least a portion of the ferrule to change the true center of the ferrule, wherein the reshaping includes enlarging a portion of the ferrule. A variety of reshaping techniques are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of reshaping ferrules (20) used in optical fiber cables assemblies (170) are disclosed. The reshaping methods reduce a core-to-ferrule concentricity error (E), which improves coupling efficiency and optical transmission. The methods include measuring a distance (?) and angular direction (?) from a true center (30) of the ferrule to the core (46), wherein the true center (30) is based on an outer surface (26) of the ferrule. The methods also include reshaping at least a portion (26P) of the ferrule (20) to define a new true center (30?) of the ferrule (20) and reduce the distance (?). A variety of reshaping techniques are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of forming a ferrule are disclosed where the ferrule includes an inner member and an outer member. An optical fiber is secured in an axial bore of the inner member, and then offset of a core of the optical fiber from a geometric center of the inner member is determined. The outer member is then formed over the inner member to “correct” for this offset so that the core of the optical fiber ends up closer to the geometric center of the resulting ferrule. Related ferrules and cable assemblies including the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of measuring ferrule-core concentricity for an optical fiber held by a ferrule are disclosed. The method includes: generating ferrule distance data by measuring distances to a ferrule outside surface as a function of rotation angle using a distance sensor and rotating either the ferrule or the distance sensor about an axis of rotation that is off-center from the true ferrule axis; aligning the axis of rotation with the fiber core; using the ferrule distance data to determine a position of the true ferrule center relative to the optical fiber core; and measuring the concentricity as the distance between the true center of the ferrule and the optical fiber core.

Abstract: A non-contact method of measuring an insertion loss of a DUT connector is disclosed. The DUT connector has a first ferrule with a first optical fiber and a first end face. The method utilizes a reference connector having a second ferrule with a second optical fiber and a second end face. The method includes: axially aligning the first and second ferrules so that the first and second end faces are confronting and spaced apart to define a gap with an axial gap distance d; measuring values of the insertion loss between the first and second optical fibers for different gap distances d>0; and estimating a value for the insertion loss for a gap distance of d=0 based on the measured values of the insertion loss when d>0.

Abstract: Methods of reshaping ferrules (20) used in optical fiber cables assemblies (170) are disclosed. The reshaping methods reduce a core-to-ferrule concentricity error (E), which improves coupling efficiency and optical transmission. The methods include measuring a distance (?) and angular direction (?) from a true center (30) of the ferrule to the core (46), wherein the true center (30) is based on an outer surface (26) of the ferrule. The methods also include reshaping at least a portion (26P) of the ferrule (20) to define a new true center (30?) of the ferrule (20) and reduce the distance (?). A variety of reshaping techniques are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of measuring ferrule-core concentricity for an optical fiber held by a ferrule are disclosed. The method includes: generating ferrule distance data by measuring distances to a ferrule outside surface as a function of rotation angle using a distance sensor and rotating either the ferrule or the distance sensor about an axis of rotation that is off-center from the true ferrule axis; aligning the axis of rotation with the fiber core; using the ferrule distance data to determine a position of the true ferrule center relative to the optical fiber core; and measuring the concentricity as the distance between the true center of the ferrule and the optical fiber core.

Abstract: A non-contact method of measuring an insertion loss of a DUT connector is disclosed. The DUT connector has a first ferrule with a first optical fiber and a first end face. The method utilizes a reference connector having a second ferrule with a second optical fiber and a second end face. The method includes: axially aligning the first and second ferrules so that the first and second end faces are confronting and spaced apart to define a gap with an axial gap distance d; measuring values of the insertion loss between the first and second optical fibers for different gap distances d>0; and estimating a value for the insertion loss for a gap distance of d=0 based on the measured values of the insertion loss when d>0.

Abstract: A controlled-contact method of measuring an insertion loss of a compressible DUT having a first ferrule with a first optical fiber and a first end face is disclosed. The method utilizes a compressible reference connector having a second ferrule with a second optical fiber and a second end face. The method includes: axially aligning the first and second ferrules to define a gap with an axial gap distance of greater than 150 ?m; moving the reference connector at a connector velocity in the range from 1 mm/s to 5 mm/s; when the gap distance is less than 150 ?m, reducing the connector velocity to between 10 ?m/s and 500 ?m/s until contact while continuing to measure the coupled optical power; after contact, increasing the connector velocity as the reference and DUT connector axially compress. The insertion loss is determined from ongoing measurements of the coupled optical power.

Abstract: Systems and methods of measuring ferrule-core concentricity for an optical fiber held by a ferrule are disclosed. The method includes: generating ferrule distance data by measuring distances to a ferrule outside surface as a function of rotation angle using a distance sensor and rotating either the ferrule or the distance sensor about an axis of rotation that is off-center from the true ferrule axis; aligning the axis of rotation with the fiber core; using the ferrule distance data to determine a position of the true ferrule center relative to the optical fiber core; and measuring the concentricity as the distance between the true center of the ferrule and the optical fiber core.

Abstract: A non-contact method of measuring an insertion loss of a DUT connector is disclosed. The DUT connector has a first ferrule with a first optical fiber and a first end face. The method utilizes a reference connector having a second ferrule with a second optical fiber and a second end face. The method includes: axially aligning the first and second ferrules so that the first and second end faces are confronting and spaced apart to define a gap with an axial gap distance d; measuring values of the insertion loss between the first and second optical fibers for different gap distances d>0; and estimating a value for the insertion loss for a gap distance of d=0 based on the measured values of the insertion loss when d>0.

Abstract: A controlled-contact method of measuring an insertion loss of a compressible DUT having a first ferrule with a first optical fiber and a first end face is disclosed. The method utilizes a compressible reference connector having a second ferrule with a second optical fiber and a second end face. The method includes: axially aligning the first and second ferrules to define a gap with an axial gap distance of greater than 150 ?m; moving the reference connector at a connector velocity in the range from 1 mm/s to 5 mm/s; when the gap distance is less than 150 ?m, reducing the connector velocity to between 10 ?m/s and 500 ?m/s until contact while continuing to measure the coupled optical power; after contact, increasing the connector velocity as the reference and DUT connector axially compress. The insertion loss is determined from ongoing measurements of the coupled optical power.

Abstract: A non-contact method of measuring an insertion loss of a device-under-test (DUT) connector is disclosed. The method includes arranging the DUT connector and a reference connector so that their respective ferrule ends are confronting and spaced apart. The method also includes moving the reference and DUT connectors closer together while measuring the insertion loss and while also actively maintaining alignment of the first and second ferrules using a position measurement system. The insertion loss for the DUT connector is obtained by estimating a value for the insertion loss at a position where the end faces of the reference and connector ferrules would come into contact.

Abstract: A non-contact method of measuring an insertion loss of a DUT connector is disclosed. The DUT connector has a first ferrule with a first optical fiber and a first end face. The method utilizes a reference connector having a second ferrule with a second optical fiber and a second end face. The method includes: axially aligning the first and second ferrules so that the first and second end faces are confronting and spaced apart to define a gap with an axial gap distance d; measuring values of the insertion loss between the first and second optical fibers for different gap distances d>0; and estimating a value for the insertion loss for a gap distance of d=0 based on the measured values of the insertion loss when d>0.

Abstract: Systems and methods of measuring ferrule-core concentricity for an optical fiber held by a ferrule are disclosed. The method includes: generating ferrule distance data by measuring distances to a ferrule outside surface as a function of rotation angle using a distance sensor and rotating either the ferrule or the distance sensor about an axis of rotation that is off-center from the true ferrule axis; aligning the axis of rotation with the fiber core; using the ferrule distance data to determine a position of the true ferrule center relative to the optical fiber core; and measuring the concentricity as the distance between the true center of the ferrule and the optical fiber core.