Abstract: The invention relates to optical sensor measurement methods that use a swept wavelength optical source to determine wavelength shift as well as to optical sensor systems that embody and employ these methods. A variable scan rate swept optical source is used to determine the optical path length from the optical interrogator to the optical sensors being measured. This data can then be used as desired or needed in implementing the sensor or making sensor measurements. In particular the data can be used in the optical sensor system to compensate for potential measurement errors due to the finite speed of light in the optical medium interconnecting optical sensors under test.

Abstract: The invention relates to optical sensor measurement methods that use a swept wavelength optical source to determine wavelength shift as well as to optical sensor systems that embody and employ these methods. A variable scan rate swept optical source is used to determine the optical path length from the optical interrogator to the optical sensors being measured. This data can then be used as desired or needed in implementing the sensor or making sensor measurements. In particular the data can be used in the optical sensor system to compensate for potential measurement errors due to the finite speed of light in the optical medium interconnecting optical sensors under test.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector adapter has a sensing mechanism for determining when the adapter has a connector plug therein and when the adapter is vacant or empty. The sensing mechanism creates an indication of the state of the adapter which is transmitted to a control circuit. The control circuit responds to the indication by activating or deactivating a laser, for example, which applies optical energy to the adapter. The laser is deactivated when the adapter has no connector plug therein and is activated when there is a connector plug in place in the adapter. In two of the embodiments of the invention, the sensing mechanism signals the impending insertion or withdrawal of the connector plug relative to the adapter.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector adapter has a sensing mechanism for determining when the adapter has a connector plug therein and when the adapter is vacant or empty. The sensing mechanism creates an indication of the state of the adapter which is transmitted to a control circuit. The control circuit responds to the indication by activating or de-activating a laser, for example, which applies optical energy to the adapter. The laser is deactivated when the adapter has no connector plug therein and is activated when there is a connector plug in place in the adapter. In two of the embodiments of the invention, the sensing mechanism signals the impending insertion or withdrawal of the connector plug relative to the adapter.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector adapter has a sensing mechanism for determining when the adapter has a connector plug therein and when the adapter is vacant or empty. The sensing mechanism creates an indication of the state of the adapter which is transmitted to a control circuit. The control circuit responds to the indication by activating or deactivating a laser, for example, which applies optical energy to the adapter. The laser is deactivated when the adapter has no connector plug therein and is activated when there is a connector plug in place in the adapter. In two of the embodiments of the invention, the sensing mechanism signals the impending insertion or withdrawal of the connector plug relative to the adapter.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector adapter has a sensing mechanism for determining when the adapter has a connector plug therein and when the adapter is vacant or empty. The sensing mechanism creates an indication of the state of the adapter which is transmitted to a control circuit. The control circuit responds to the indication by activating or deactivating a laser, for example, which applies optical energy to the adapter. The laser is deactivated when the adapter has no connector plug therein and is activated when there is a connector plug in place in the adapter. In two of the embodiments of the invention, the sensing mechanism signals the impending insertion or withdrawal of the connector plug relative to the adapter.

Abstract: The splice verification system of the present invention verifies the efficiency of an optical splice by measuring the scattered light escaping from the splice. Specifically, the preferred embodiment performs such scattered light measurement within a photodetection area which is substantially free of all ambient light. Furthermore, the verification system includes a reference power module which, prior to creating an optical splice, measures the level of the optical signal being transmitted out of the end of an active fiber. The present invention then provides means to correlate the level gauged as a reference signal level relative to the amount of scattered light lost from the optical splice. The ratio of these two measured light levels may then be used to determine whether the amount of scattered light lost from the optical splice is acceptable given the particular constraints of the optical system in which the splice is employed.