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: A method and system for measuring signal loss in a fiber optic cable. The tail ends of reference and test fiber optic cables are illuminated with a diffuse light. The head end of each of the reference and test fiber optic cables are positioned in a measurement area. A core imager captures an image of the core of each head-end while it is in the measurement area. Reference and test radiant fluxes emitted from the reference and test head-ends are determined from the respective core images. The relative signal loss of the test fiber optic cable is then determined by comparing the test radiant flux to the reference radiant flux.

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: A method of plugging a filter, comprising: positioning a mask layer over the filter comprising a plurality of intersecting walls, wherein the intersecting walls define at least one channel between the intersecting walls; perforating the mask layer proximate the channel to form a hole, wherein the hole extends around a portion of a perimeter of the channel such that the mask layer defines a flap extending over a center of the channel; passing a plugging mixture into the channel through the hole in the mask layer; and sintering the plugging mixture to form a plug within the channel.

Abstract: A method for processing a transparent workpiece includes directing a pulsed laser beam into the transparent workpiece such that a portion of the pulsed laser beam directed into the transparent workpiece generates an induced absorption within the transparent workpiece, thereby forming a damage line within the transparent workpiece, and the portion of the pulsed laser beam directed into the transparent workpiece includes a wavelength ?, a spot size wo, and a Rayleigh range ZR that is greater than F D ? ? ? w 0 , 2 ? , where FD is a dimensionless divergence factor comprising a value of 10 or greater. Further, the method for processing the transparent workpiece includes etching the transparent workpiece with an etching vapor to remove at least a portion of the transparent workpiece along the damage line, thereby forming an aperture extending through the at least a portion of the thickness of the transparent workpiece.

Abstract: A method for processing a transparent workpiece includes directing a pulsed laser beam into the transparent workpiece such that a portion of the pulsed laser beam directed into the transparent workpiece generates an induced absorption within the transparent workpiece, thereby forming a damage line within the transparent workpiece, and the portion of the pulsed laser beam directed into the transparent workpiece includes a wavelength ?, a spot size w0, and a Rayleigh range ZR that is greater than F D ? ? ? w 0 2 ? , where FD is a dimensionless divergence factor comprising a value of 10 or greater. Further, the method for processing the transparent workpiece includes etching the transparent workpiece with an etching vapor to remove at least a portion of the transparent workpiece along the damage line, thereby forming an aperture extending through the at least a portion of the thickness of the transparent workpiece.

Abstract: A method for processing a transparent workpiece includes forming a closed contour in the transparent workpiece. The closed contour includes a plurality of defects in the transparent workpiece and has a rectilinear shape. Forming the closed contour includes directing a pulsed laser beam through an aspheric optical element and into the transparent workpiece to generate an induced absorption within the transparent workpiece and produce a defect within the transparent workpiece. Forming the closed contour also includes translating the pulsed laser beam focal line along a closed contour line having the rectilinear shape, thereby laser forming the plurality of defects of the closed contour. In addition, the method for processing the transparent workpiece includes etching the transparent workpiece with a chemical etching solution to separate a portion of the transparent workpiece along the closed contour, thereby forming an aperture extending through the transparent workpiece.

Abstract: A method for processing a transparent workpiece includes directing a pulsed laser beam into the transparent workpiece such that a portion of the pulsed laser beam directed into the transparent workpiece generates an induced absorption within the transparent workpiece, thereby forming a damage line within the transparent workpiece, and the portion of the pulsed laser beam directed into the transparent workpiece includes a wavelength ?, a spot size w0, and a Rayleigh range ZR that is greater than F D ? ? ? w 0 2 ? , where FD is a dimensionless divergence factor comprising a value of 10 or greater. Further, the method for processing the transparent workpiece includes etching the transparent workpiece with an etching vapor to remove at least a portion of the transparent workpiece along the damage line, thereby forming an aperture extending through the at least a portion of the thickness of the transparent workpiece.

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: Optical fiber-based wireless systems and related components and methods support radio frequency (RF) communications with clients over optical fiber, including Radio-over-Fiber (RoF) communications. The systems may be provided as part of an indoor distributed antenna system (IDAS) to provide wireless communication services to clients inside a building or other facility. The communications can be distributed between a head end unit (HEU) that receives carrier signals from one or more service or carrier providers and converts the signals to RoF signals for distribution over optical fibers to end points, which may be remote antenna units (RAUs). A microprocessor-based control system or systems may also be employed. The control systems may include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers in one or more of the components of the system that execute software instructions to control the various components and provide various features for the optical fiber-based distributed antenna systems.

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: 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: 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: Optical fiber-based wireless systems and related components and methods support radio frequency (RF) communications with clients over optical fiber, including Radio-over-Fiber (RoF) communications. The systems may be provided as part of an indoor distributed antenna system (IDAS) to provide wireless communication services to clients inside a building or other facility. The communications can be distributed between a head end unit (HEU) that receives carrier signals from one or more service or carrier providers and converts the signals to RoF signals for distribution over optical fibers to end points, which may be remote antenna units (RAUs). A microprocessor-based control system or systems may also be employed. The control systems may include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers in one or more of the components of the system that execute software instructions to control the various components and provide various features for the optical fiber-based distributed antenna systems.