Abstract: Methods for modifying multi-mode optical fiber manufacturing processes are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for modifying a process for manufacturing multi-mode optical fiber includes measuring at least one characteristic of a multi-mode optical fiber. The at least one characteristic is a modal bandwidth or a differential mode delay at one or more wavelengths. The method further includes determining a measured peak wavelength of the multi-mode optical fiber based on the measured characteristic, determining a difference between the target peak wavelength and the measured peak wavelength, and modifying the process for manufacturing multi-mode optical fiber based on the difference between the target peak wavelength and the measured peak wavelength.

Abstract: Methods for modifying multi-mode optical fiber manufacturing processes are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for modifying a process for manufacturing multi-mode optical fiber includes measuring at least one characteristic of a multi-mode optical fiber. The at least one characteristic is a modal bandwidth or a differential mode delay at one or more wavelengths. The method further includes determining a measured peak wavelength of the multi-mode optical fiber based on the measured characteristic, determining a difference between the target peak wavelength and the measured peak wavelength, and modifying the process for manufacturing multi-mode optical fiber based on the difference between the target peak wavelength and the measured peak wavelength.

Abstract: Methods for modifying multi-mode optical fiber manufacturing processes are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for modifying a process for manufacturing multi-mode optical fiber includes measuring at least one characteristic of a multi-mode optical fiber. The at least one characteristic is a modal bandwidth or a differential mode delay at one or more wavelengths. The method further includes determining a measured peak wavelength of the multi-mode optical fiber based on the measured characteristic, determining a difference between the target peak wavelength and the measured peak wavelength, and modifying the process for manufacturing multi-mode optical fiber based on the difference between the target peak wavelength and the measured peak wavelength.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inspecting wound optical fiber to detect and characterize defects are disclosed. The method includes illuminating the wound optical fiber with light from a light source and capturing a digital image based on measurement light that is redirected by the wound optical fiber to a digital camera. The method also includes processing the digital image with a computer to detect and characterize the defects. The types of defects that can be detected using the systems and methods disclosed herein include bubbles, abrasions, punctures, scratches, surface contamination, winding errors, periodic dimensional errors, aperiodic dimensional errors and dents.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inspecting wound optical fiber to detect and characterize defects are disclosed. The method includes illuminating the wound optical fiber with light from a light source and capturing a digital image based on measurement light that is redirected by the wound optical fiber to a digital camera. The method also includes processing the digital image with a computer to detect and characterize the defects. The types of defects that can be detected using the systems and methods disclosed herein include bubbles, abrasions, punctures, scratches, surface contamination, winding errors, periodic dimensional errors, aperiodic dimensional errors and dents.

Abstract: Methods for modifying multi-mode optical fiber manufacturing processes are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for modifying a process for manufacturing multi-mode optical fiber includes measuring at least one characteristic of a multi-mode optical fiber. The at least one characteristic is a modal bandwidth or a differential mode delay at one or more wavelengths. The method further includes determining a measured peak wavelength of the multi-mode optical fiber based on the measured characteristic, determining a difference between the target peak wavelength and the measured peak wavelength, and modifying the process for manufacturing multi-mode optical fiber based on the difference between the target peak wavelength and the measured peak wavelength.

Abstract: A system and method of inspecting an optical fiber junction is provided. The method includes moving an optical fiber having a junction, a recoat portion overlaying the junction and non-recoat portions on opposite sides of the recoat portion through an imaging region imaged by a pair of cameras. The optical fiber is imaged to acquire a plurality of images with the cameras as the optical fiber continuously moves through a distance to capture images of the recoat portion and the non-recoat portions adjacent to the recoat portion. The plurality of acquired images are evaluated for potential imperfections, and an output is provided indicative of detected images having potential imperfections.

Abstract: An optical fiber inventory selection system selects optical fibers from inventory for use in a communication network. In one embodiment, the system generates an internal specification of requirements to select optical fiber reels from an inventory to be used as components in spans, such as dispersion managed spans, wherein at least one of the selected optical fiber reels is identified to have an amount of optical fiber on the reel cut back to a reduced length. The spans can then be selected to satisfy customer requirements or standardized requirements for a communication network that may include a plurality of cables and paths.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for characterizing a multimode, bend resistant optical fiber may include determining a core refractive index profile for a core portion of a preform and determining a moat refractive index profile for a moat portion of the preform. Thereafter, a property of a multimode optical fiber is determined prior to drawing the multimode optical fiber from the preform. The property of the multimode fiber is determined based on the core refractive index profile of the preform, the moat refractive index profile of the preform, the inner radius rin and the outer radius rout of a depressed-index annular portion of the multimode optical fiber and fiber property coefficients.

Abstract: An optical fiber inventory selection system selects optical fibers from inventory for use in a communication network. In one embodiment, the system generates an internal specification of requirements to select optical fiber reels from an inventory to be used as components in spans, such as dispersion managed spans, wherein at least one of the selected optical fiber reels is identified to have an amount of optical fiber on the reel cut back to a reduced length. The spans can then be selected to satisfy customer requirements or standardized requirements for a communication network that may include a plurality of cables and paths.