Methods and apparatus for estimating optical insertion loss
View Patent ↗A method for estimating insertion loss at a mechanical joining point between adjoining optical fibers includes introducing light energy into an optical fiber, using light collecting means to collect the light energy emanating from the optical fiber proximate the mechanical joining point, measuring a reference optical power prior to joining the optical fibers, measuring a terminated optical power after the optical fibers are joined, and comparing the terminated optical power to the reference optical power. An apparatus for estimating insertion loss includes a source of light for introducing light energy into an optical fiber, at least one optical fiber strand disposed about the mechanical joining point for collecting the light energy emanating from the optical fiber proximate the mechanical joining point, and an optical power meter coupled to the at least one optical fiber strand for measuring the optical power of the light energy emanating from the mechanical joining point.
1. A method for estimating the insertion loss at a mechanical joining point between a stub optical fiber of a mechanical splice connector and a field optical fiber, comprising:
introducing light energy into the stub optical fiber of the connector to produce a glow proximate the mechanical joining point;
measuring a reference optical power of the glow proximate the mechanical joining point;
introducing the field optical fiber into the mechanical splice connector such that at least a portion of the light energy from the stub optical fiber is coupled into the field optical fiber;
measuring a terminated optical power of the glow proximate the mechanical joining point; and
estimating the insertion loss at the mechanical joining point by comparing the terminated optical power to the reference optical power;
wherein the stub optical fiber remains in a same position during the reference optical power measurement and the terminated optical power measurement; and
wherein the light energy is visible through a translucent portion of the mechanical splice connector.
2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising combining a factory-determined end face insertion loss of the mechanical splice connector to the insertion loss at the mechanical joining point to determine a total insertion loss of the mechanical splice connector terminated to a field optical fiber.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of measuring the terminated optical power father comprises measuring the glow proximate the mechanical joining point as the field optical fiber is introduced into the mechanical splice connector.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein no change in the measurement conditions occurs between the step of measuring the reference optical power and the step of measuring the terminated optical power other than the step of introducing the field optical fiber into the mechanical splice connector.
5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising shielding at least the mechanical joining point from ambient light surrounding the mechanical splice connector during the step of measuring the reference optical power and the step of measuring the terminated optical power so that the only difference between the reference optical power and the terminated optical power is a percentage of optical power tat is coupled from the stub optical fiber into the field optical fiber.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of measuring the reference optical power and the step of measuring the terminated optical power each further comprise collecting the light energy emanating from the stub optical fiber proximate the mechanical joining point.
7. The method according to claim 6 wherein collecting the light energy is accomplished using light collecting means comprising at least one optical fiber strand disposed about the mechanical joining point.
8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the at least one optical fiber strand comprises an array of plastic optical fibers (POF).
9. The method according to claim 8 wherein the array of plastic optical fibers (POF) is coupled through a passive 1×n optical coupler into a single optical fiber in optical communication with an optical power meter.
10. The method according to claim 6 wherein collecting the light energy is accomplished using light collecting means comprising a photodetector.
11. The method according to claim 6 wherein collecting the light energy is accomplished using light collecting means comprising an integrating sphere.
12. An apparatus for estimating insertion loss at a mechanical joining point between a field optical fiber and a stub optical fiber of a mechanical splice connector, comprising:
a source of light operable for introducing light energy into the stub optical fiber;
at least one optical fiber strand disposed about the mechanical joining point for collecting the light energy emanating from an end of the stub optical fiber proximate the mechanical joining point; and
an optical power meter operatively coupled to the at least one optical fiber strand for measuring the optical power of the light energy emanating from the end of the stub optical fiber proximate the mechanical joining point;
wherein the light energy is visible through a translucent portion of the mechanical splice connector.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the at least one optical fiber strand comprises a plurality of plastic optical fibers (POF) disposed in a predetermined array about the mechanical joining point and optically coupled through a passive 1×n optical coupler into a single optical fiber in optical communication with the optical power meter.