Abstract: The present disclosure provides a Multi-fiber push on (MPO) connector channel verification apparatus and method for verifying the MPO cable polarity and each optic fiber position in MPO cables or patch-cords. The apparatus includes a verification module that provides an illumination source configured to direct light on fiber end faces in an MPO connector at an end of the MPO cable according to predetermined sequences such that an inspection microscope at the other end of the MPO cable may be utilized to analyze the illumination sequence of illuminated fibers occurring at the other end of the MPO cable to verify the channel locations and polarity of the MPO cable.

Abstract: A lightweight miniature interferometric device for interferometric inspection of circular multi-channel fiber optic connectors that includes the interferometric microscope, holding fixture, multi-axis motion mechanism and computing device. The system performs an interferometric inspection of multi-channel fiber optic connector. The method of interferometric inspection provides automatic scan of the multi-channel fiber optic connector, reconstructing 3D surfaces of fiber optic termini of the connector and analyzing its parameters. The system connects to the connector by holding fixture and performs an interferometric inspection of each fiber optic terminus of the connector by means of multi-axis motion mechanism.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a Multi-fiber push on (MPO) connector channel verification apparatus and method for verifying the MPO cable polarity and each optic fiber position in MPO cables or patch-cords. The apparatus includes a verification module that provides an illumination source configured to direct light on fiber end faces in an MPO connector at an end of the MPO cable according to predetermined sequences such that an inspection microscope at the other end of the MPO cable may be utilized to analyze the illumination sequence of illuminated fibers occurring at the other end of the MPO cable to verify the channel locations and polarity of the MPO cable.

Abstract: A lightweight miniature interferometric device for interferometric inspection of circular multi-channel fiber optic connectors that includes the interferometric microscope, holding fixture, multi-axis motion mechanism and computing device. The system performs an interferometric inspection of multi-channel fiber optic connector. The method of interferometric inspection provides automatic scan of the multi-channel fiber optic connector, reconstructing 3D surfaces of fiber optic termini of the connector and analyzing its parameters. The system connects to the connector by holding fixture and performs an interferometric inspection of each fiber optic terminus of the connector by means of multi-axis motion mechanism.

Abstract: An interferometric measurement method aims at calculating angular misalignment between fiber and ferrule axes for single fiber ferrules. The misalignment is measured by scanning side surface of reference fiber inserted into the ferrule and side surface of the ferrule. For single fiber connectors and ferrules, the method also aims at calculating fiber core concentricity and ferrule circularity and for single fiber connectors, end face angle of polish. The concentricity, the circularity and the angle of polish are measured by scanning side surface of the ferrule and end face of the connector or ferrule. Interferometric data from the side surfaces of the reference fiber and the ferrule, or from the end face of the connector or ferrule and the side surface of the ferrule, is gathered during one scanning session—either one simultaneous scan or several scans without moving or re-inserting the connector or ferrule.

Abstract: Four fixture types are intended for alignment of multi-fiber connectors and ferrules in interferometric microscopes for measuring connector end-face geometry. A methodology of fixtures' calibration ensures validity and accuracy of measurements. First fixture type is equipped with a locking mechanism. In one embodiment it contains two guide holes and is intended for male connectors. In another embodiment intended for female connectors and ferrules it contains two removable guide pins on a bar inserted into the guide holes from back or front side of the fixture. Second fixture type has single window in the base and a pair of guide pins located near opposite sides of the window. Third fixture type has a single window and single guide pin in the base located near one window side. Fourth fixture type has a single guide pin in the center of the base and a pair of windows on both sides of the pin.

Abstract: An interferometric measurement method aims at calculating end face surface angle of multi-fiber connector or ferrule taking into account parallelism deviation angles of the connector or ferrule guide holes. The parallelism deviation angles are measured by scanning the side surfaces of guide pins inserted into the guide holes, which is done simultaneously with the end face scanning. Interferometric data from connector or ferrule end face and side surfaces of the guide pins is gathered during one scanning session—either one simultaneous scan or several scans without moving or re-inserting the connector or ferrule.

Abstract: An interferometric measurement method precisely determines parallelism and 3D position of guide pin holes and fiber holes in multi-fiber ferrules used in connectors. The parallelism and position are measured for the ferrule with inserted reference guide pins and reference fibers by scanning the ferrule from side in an interferometric system. Fiber hole deviations from designated locations on the ferrule end face and distance between the fiber holes and the guide pin holes are calculated as well.

Abstract: An interferometric measurement method aims at calculating angular misalignment between fiber and ferrule axes for single fiber ferrules. The misalignment is measured by scanning side surface of reference fiber inserted into the ferrule and side surface of the ferrule. For single fiber connectors and ferrules, the method also aims at calculating fiber core concentricity and ferrule circularity and for single fiber connectors, end face angle of polish. The concentricity, the circularity and the angle of polish are measured by scanning side surface of the ferrule and end face of the connector or ferrule. Interferometric data from the side surfaces of the reference fiber and the ferrule, or from the end face of the connector or ferrule and the side surface of the ferrule, is gathered during one scanning session—either one simultaneous scan or several scans without moving or re-inserting the connector or ferrule.

Abstract: An interferometric measurement method aims at calculating end face surface angle of multi-fiber connector or ferrule taking into account parallelism deviation angles of the connector or ferrule guide holes. The parallelism deviation angles are measured by scanning the side surfaces of guide pins inserted into the guide holes, which is done simultaneously with the end face scanning Interferometric data from connector or ferrule end face and side surfaces of the guide pins is gathered during one scanning session—either one simultaneous scan or several scans without moving or re-inserting the connector or ferrule.

Abstract: An interferometric measurement method precisely determines parallelism and 3D position of guide pin holes and fiber holes in multi-fiber ferrules used in connectors. The parallelism and position are measured for the ferrule with inserted reference guide pins and reference fibers by scanning the ferrule from side in an interferometric system. Fiber hole deviations from designated locations on the ferrule end face and distance between the fiber holes and the guide pin holes are calculated as well.

Abstract: Four fixture types are intended for alignment of multi-fiber connectors and ferrules in interferometric microscopes for measuring connector end-face geometry. A methodology of fixtures' calibration ensures validity and accuracy of measurements. First fixture type is equipped with a locking mechanism. In one embodiment it contains two guide holes and is intended for male connectors. In another embodiment intended for female connectors and ferrules it contains two removable guide pins on a bar inserted into the guide holes from back or front side of the fixture. Second fixture type has single window in the base and a pair of guide pins located near opposite sides of the window. Third fixture type has a single window and single guide pin in the base located near one window side. Fourth fixture type has a single guide pin in the center of the base and a pair of windows on both sides of the pin.

Abstract: Digital imaging camera housing of generally but not exclusively circular or rectangular shape has one body element closed from all other sides except from the lens mount. The body element contains at least one opening for a communication connector. The camera assembly method allows installing camera circuit board into the housing through the open lens mount side and attaching it to the housing inner side with screws, locks, latches or any other type of fixture. Camera electronics can be protected from the lens mount side of the housing with a piece of transparent material, preferably glass, for example with an infrared cut-off filter.

Abstract: Under one aspect, an ultrasound system for producing a representation of an object includes: a concave transducer array configured to transmit ultrasonic pulses into the object and to receive ultrasonic pulses from the object, the ultrasonic pulses from the object containing structural information about the object, each transducer in the array generating an output signal representative of a portion of the structural information about the object; a multi-focal lens structure for focusing the transmitted ultrasonic pulses; a multiplexing structure in operable communication with the concave transducer array and including logic for coupling the output signals from at least one pair of transducers in the concave transducer array; and a beamformer in operable communication with the multiplexing structure and including logic for constructing a representation of structural information about the object based on the coupled output signals from the multiplexing structure

Abstract: Under one aspect, an ultrasound system for producing a representation of an object includes: a concave transducer array configured to transmit ultrasonic pulses into the object and to receive ultrasonic pulses from the object, the ultrasonic pulses from the object containing structural information about the object, each transducer in the array generating an output signal representative of a portion of the structural information about the object; a multi-focal lens structure for focusing the transmitted ultrasonic pulses; a multiplexing structure in operable communication with the concave transducer array and including logic for coupling the output signals from at least one pair of transducers in the concave transducer array; and a beamformer in operable communication with the multiplexing structure and including logic for constructing a representation of structural information about the object based on the coupled output signals from the multiplexing structure.

Abstract: Under one aspect, an ultrasound system for producing a representation of an object includes: a concave transducer array configured to transmit ultrasonic pulses into the object and to receive ultrasonic pulses from the object, the ultrasonic pulses from the object containing structural information about the object, each transducer in the array generating an output signal representative of a portion of the structural information about the object; a multi-focal lens structure for focusing the transmitted ultrasonic pulses; a multiplexing structure in operable communication with the concave transducer array and including logic for coupling the output signals from at least one pair of transducers in the concave transducer array; and a beamformer in operable communication with the multiplexing structure and including logic for constructing a representation of structural information about the object based on the coupled output signals from the multiplexing structure.

Abstract: Under one aspect, an ultrasound system for producing a representation of an object includes: a concave transducer array configured to transmit ultrasonic pulses into the object and to receive ultrasonic pulses from the object, the ultrasonic pulses from the object containing structural information about the object, each transducer in the array generating an output signal representative of a portion of the structural information about the object; a multi-focal lens structure for focusing the transmitted ultrasonic pulses; a multiplexing structure in operable communication with the concave transducer array and including logic for coupling the output signals from at least one pair of transducers in the concave transducer array; and a beamformer in operable communication with the multiplexing structure and including logic for constructing a representation of structural information about the object based on the coupled output signals from the multiplexing structure.

Abstract: A two-dimensional ultrasonic transducer for forming images. The transducer has a plurality of transducer elements for producing ultrasonic bursts in a predetermined manner, and receiving reflected ultrasound from the subject under examination due to the ultrasonic bursts. The plurality of transducer elements are arranged in an array into columns and rows, the columns of the transducer elements arranged in a scanning plane for scanning the subject under examination in order to form a two-dimensional profile of the subject, and the rows of the transducer elements having groups of symmetrically arranged transducer elements being oriented in a elevational plane. Each of the groups of symmetrically arranged transducer elements are mechanically arranged to have a focus at specified locations distant from the transducer which is within the subject under examination.

Abstract: A two-dimensional ultrasonic transducer for forming images. The transducer has a plurality of transducer elements for producing ultrasonic bursts in a predetermined manner, and receiving reflected ultrasound from the subject under examination due to the ultrasonic bursts. The plurality of transducer elements are arranged in an array into columns and rows, the columns of the transducer elements arranged in a scanning plane for scanning the subject under examination in order to form a two-dimensional profile of the subject, and the rows of the transducer elements having groups of symmetrically arranged transducer elements being oriented in a elevational plane. Each of the groups of symmetrically arranged transducer elements are mechanically arranged to have a focus at specified locations distant from the transducer which is within the subject under examination.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for remote identification of tissue types model the scattering of ultrasound energy from living tissue as an autoregressive or autoregressive moving average random process. Autoregressive or autoregressive moving average models of candidate tissue types are generated from pulse-echo data that is known to come from that particular tissue type. Kalman prediction error filters are used for each candidate tissue type to generate estimates of the probability that an unknown pulse echo signal belongs to the class generated by that tissue type. Unknown pulse-echo signals are filtered in a specific Kalman filter to test the hypothesis that the unknown signal belongs to the class associated with that particular Kalman filter.