U.S. patent application number 15/407760 was filed with the patent office on 2018-07-19 for optical fiber polarity tester.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kevin M. Ehringer Inc. d\b\a Data Center Systems. Invention is credited to Billie Cottongim, Troy D. Cummings, Kevin M. Ehringer, Tung Pham.
Application Number | 20180203191 15/407760 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62837299 |
Filed Date | 2018-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180203191 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cummings; Troy D. ; et
al. |
July 19, 2018 |
OPTICAL FIBER POLARITY TESTER
Abstract
The present disclosure includes systems and methods for testing
bundles of fiber optic fibers, such as fiber optic trunk cables,
for correct polarity of connections at each end of the bundle of
fibers while preventing the fiber optic fibers from contacting any
other components during testing. The systems include a processor, a
plurality of signal generators interfaced with a plurality of
signal generator ports, a sensor interfaced with a sensor input
port, a first selector switch, and a display, the processor
operable to stimulate the plurality of signal generators one at a
time in a first sequence to produce a signal, the first sequence
based on a position of the first selector switch, the processor
further operable to cause the display to display an output of the
sensor.
Inventors: |
Cummings; Troy D.;
(Mesquite, TX) ; Pham; Tung; (Dallas, TX) ;
Ehringer; Kevin M.; (Dallas, TX) ; Cottongim;
Billie; (Plano, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kevin M. Ehringer Inc. d\b\a Data Center Systems |
Dallas |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62837299 |
Appl. No.: |
15/407760 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01M 11/33 20130101;
G01M 11/088 20130101; G02B 6/385 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G02B 6/38 20060101
G02B006/38; G01M 11/08 20060101 G01M011/08 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for testing a polarity of a fiber optic cable,
comprising: a plurality of signal generator ports configured to
connect to a first end of the fiber optic cable; a plurality of
test signal generators disposed to cooperate with the plurality of
signal generator ports; a sensor input port configured to connect
to a second end of the fiber optic cable; a sensor disposed to
cooperate with the sensor input port and configured to receive a
test signal from the sensor input port; a first selector switch
operable by a user to select a test sequence of a plurality of
different test sequences; and a processor operable to stimulate the
plurality of test signal generators to produce a test signal in a
first sequence based on the selected test sequence, the processor
further operable to output results of the test sequence to a user;
wherein the processor directs the test signal to at least one
signal generator port in optical communication with a plurality of
optical fibers in the first end of the fiber optic cable based on
the selected test sequence.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a display in
communication with the processor and arranged to receive the
results output from the processor and display the results to the
user.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the results output from the
processor to the display is a second sequence different from the
first sequence, and the second sequence is the same for any of the
plurality of different test sequences.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the results output from the
processor to a display indicate that the sensor sensed the signal
in an expected sequence related to the first sequence.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein: the expected sequence is a
function of a cable through which the signal is passed.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the sensor is a light sensor,
and the signal generator is a light source.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the sensor is a camera, and
the output of a display represents the output of the camera.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the first selector switch
selects from one of five transmission protocols, and the first
sequence is based on the selected one of the five transmission
protocols.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second selector
switch, and wherein: the signal generator ports are comprised of
multi-termination push-on (MTP) female connectors, MTP male
connectors, and lucent connectors (LC), the sensor input port is an
MTP female connector, and a position of the second selector switch
selects one of the MTP female connectors, the MTP male connectors,
or the LC to be stimulated.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the sensor input port and
the signal generator ports include guide pins that slot into holes
in the fiber optic cable to align the sensor input port and the
signal generator ports with ferrules of optical fibers in the fiber
optic cable such that the sensor input port and the signal
generator ports are in optical communication with the optical
fibers.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a memory
containing a plurality of pre-determined first sequences, the
processor further operable to retrieve the pre-determined first
sequences based on a position setting of the first selector
switch.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the processor is further
operable to create the first sequence based on a position setting
of the first selector switch.
13.-28. (canceled)
29. An apparatus for testing a polarity of a fiber optic cable,
comprising: a plurality of signal generator ports configured to
connect to a first end of the fiber optic cable; a plurality of
test signal generators disposed to cooperate with the plurality of
signal generator ports; a sensor input port configured to connect
to a second end of the fiber optic cable; a sensor disposed to
cooperate with the sensor input port and configured to receive a
test signal from the sensor input port; a first selector switch
operable by a user to select a test sequence of a plurality of
different test sequences; and a processor operable to stimulate the
plurality of test signal generators to produce a test signal in a
first sequence based on the selected test sequence, the processor
further operable to output results of the test sequence to a user;
wherein the sensor input port and the signal generator ports
include guide pins that slot into holes in the fiber optic cable to
align the sensor input port and the signal generator ports with
ferrules of optical fibers in the fiber optic cable such that the
sensor input port and the signal generator ports are in optical
communication with the optical fibers.
30. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a display in
communication with the processor and arranged to receive the
results output from the processor and display the results to the
user.
31. An apparatus for testing a polarity of a fiber optic cable,
comprising: a plurality of signal generator ports configured to
connect to a first end of the fiber optic cable; a plurality of
test signal generators disposed to cooperate with the plurality of
signal generator ports; a sensor input port configured to connect
to a second end of the fiber optic cable; a sensor disposed to
cooperate with the sensor input port and configured to receive a
test signal from the sensor input port; a first selector switch
operable by a user to select a test sequence of a plurality of
different test sequences; and a processor operable to stimulate the
plurality of test signal generators to produce a test signal in a
first sequence based on the selected test sequence, the processor
further operable to output results of the test sequence to a user;
a memory containing a plurality of pre-determined first sequences,
the processor further operable to retrieve the pre-determined first
sequences based on a position setting of the first selector
switch.
32. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising a display in
communication with the processor and arranged to receive the
results output from the processor and display the results to the
user.
33. An apparatus for testing a polarity of a fiber optic cable,
comprising: a plurality of signal generator ports configured to
connect to a first end of the fiber optic cable; a plurality of
test signal generators disposed to cooperate with the plurality of
signal generator ports; a sensor input port configured to connect
to a second end of the fiber optic cable; a sensor disposed to
cooperate with the sensor input port and configured to receive a
test signal from the sensor input port; a first selector switch
operable by a user to select a test sequence of a plurality of
different test sequences; and a processor operable to stimulate the
plurality of test signal generators to produce a test signal in a
first sequence based on the selected test sequence, the processor
further operable to output results of the test sequence to a user;
wherein the processor is further operable to create the first
sequence based on a position setting of the first selector
switch.
34. The apparatus of claim 33, further comprising a display in
communication with the processor and arranged to receive the
results output from the processor and display the results to the
user.
35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein: the results output from the
processor to the display is a second sequence different from the
first sequence, and the second sequence is the same for any of the
plurality of different test sequences.
36. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein: the results output from the
processor to a display indicate that the sensor sensed the signal
in an expected sequence related to the first sequence.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present description relates, in general, to systems and
techniques for polarity testing of fiber optic cables.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Fiber-optic communications allow for optical transmission of
information with various advantages over electrical transmission
via copper wires. For example, fiber optic cables may allow very
high bandwidth transmissions with very low loss compared to copper
wire. In various applications, optical fibers may be bundled
together into transmit-receive pairs, and multiple transmit-receive
pairs may be bundled together to create a multi-channel cable. It
may be desirable, therefore, to confirm that each output of a
multi-channel cable corresponds to the correct input of the
multi-channel cable.
SUMMARY
[0003] In some exemplary aspects, the present disclosure is
directed to an apparatus for testing a polarity of a fiber optic
cable. The apparatus may include a plurality of signal generator
ports configured to connect to a first end of a fiber optic cable,
a plurality of test signal generators disposed to cooperate with
the plurality of signal generator ports, and a sensor input port
configured to connect to a second end of a fiber optic cable. The
apparatus may also include a sensor disposed to cooperate with the
sensor input port and configured to receive a test signal from the
sensor input port. A first selector switch may be operable by a
user to select a test sequence of a plurality of different test
sequences. A processor may be operable to stimulate the plurality
of test signal generators to produce a test signal in a first
sequence based on the selected test sequence. The processor may be
further operable to output results of the test sequence to a
user.
[0004] In some aspects, the apparatus may include a display in
communication with the processor and arranged to receive the
results output from the processor and display the results to the
user. In some aspects, the results output from the processor to the
display is a second sequence different from the first sequence, and
the second sequence is the same for any of the plurality of
different test sequences. In some aspects, the results output from
the processor to a display indicate that the sensor sensed the
signal in an expected sequence related to the first sequence. In
some aspects, the expected sequence is a function of a cable
through which the signal is passed. In some aspects, the sensor is
a light sensor, and the signal generator is a light source. In some
aspects, the sensor is a camera, and the output of a display
represents the output of the camera. In some aspects, the first
selector switch selects from one of five transmission protocols,
and the first sequence is based on the selected one of the five
transmission protocols. In some aspects, the apparatus may include
a second selector switch, and wherein: the signal generator ports
are comprised of multi-termination push-on (MTP) female connectors,
MTP male connectors, and lucent connectors (LC), the sensor input
port is an MTP female connector, and a position of the second
selector switch selects one of the MTP female connectors, the MTP
male connectors, or the LC to be stimulated. In some aspects, the
sensor input port and the signal generator ports include guide pins
that space the sensor input port and the signal generator ports
away from ferrules of optical fibers connected to the sensor input
port and the signal generator ports such that the sensor input port
and the signal generator ports are in optical communication with
the optical fibers. In some aspects, the apparatus may include a
memory containing a plurality of pre-determined first sequences,
the processor further operable to retrieve the pre-determined first
sequences based on a position setting of the first selector switch.
In some aspects, the processor is further operable to create the
first sequence based on a position setting of the first selector
switch.
[0005] In some exemplary aspects, the present disclosure is
directed to a method that may include illuminating a plurality of
light sources one at a time in a first sequence so that light
travels into a first end of a corresponding plurality of optical
fibers in the first sequence; receiving the light from a second end
of the plurality of optical fibers at a light sensor; and
displaying an output from the light sensor in a second sequence
different from the first sequence.
[0006] In some aspects, the first sequence is selected so that
light received from the second end of the plurality of optical
fibers sequentially emits from fibers adjacently disposed in a row.
In some aspects, the first sequence is selected from a plurality of
pre-determined first sequences based on a position of a selector
switch. In some aspects, the first sequence is created based on a
position of a selector switch. In some aspects, the light sources
are light emitting diodes (LEDs).
[0007] In some exemplary aspects, the present disclosure is
directed to a method that may include selecting a pre-determined
stimulation sequence from a plurality of pre-determined stimulation
sequences stored in a fiber-optic polarity tester; and projecting
light sequentially through a first end of a plurality of optical
fibers based on the pre-determined stimulation sequence, the
pre-determined stimulation sequence being selected so that light
emitted from a second end of the plurality of optical fibers emits
from fibers adjacently aligned in a row; and displaying a response
sequence on a display corresponding to the light emitted from the
second end of the plurality of optical fibers to determine, based
on an observed response sequence, whether there is a defect in a
fiber optic cable through which the stimulation sequence
traveled.
[0008] In some aspects, the selecting the pre-determined
stimulation sequence is based on a polarity configuration of the
fiber optic cable. In some aspects, the light emitted from the
second end of the plurality of optical fibers emits from fibers
adjacently aligned in a row for each of the plurality of
pre-determined stimulation sequences.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a multi-path polarity tester
according to an example implementation of the present
disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an implementation of the front
panel of the multi-path polarity tester.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an internal diagram of an
example implementation of the multi-path polarity tester.
[0012] FIG. 4A is an illustration of a diagram of a straight
polarity transmission protocol.
[0013] FIG. 4B is an illustration of a diagram of a crossed
polarity transmission protocol.
[0014] FIG. 4C is an illustration of a diagram of a flipped
polarity transmission protocol.
[0015] FIG. 5 is an illustration of an implementation of the
display unit of the multi-path polarity tester during operation of
the multi-path polarity tester.
[0016] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a block diagram of a method for
testing the transmission polarity of a fiber optic trunk cable from
the perspective of the processor.
[0017] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a block diagram of a method for
testing the transmission polarity of a fiber optic trunk cable
using the multi-path polarity tester from the perspective of a
user.
[0018] FIG. 8 is an illustration of a diagram of connectors
relative to a light source in accordance with an exemplary
implementation of the present disclosure having a non-contact space
between the ends of the connectors and the light source.
[0019] FIGS. 9A and 9B are illustrations of diagrams of an adapter
and ports in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the
present disclosure having a non-contact space between the ports and
connector ends of subject test cables.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The detailed description set forth below, in connection with
the appended drawings, is intended as a description of various
configurations and is not intended to represent the only
configurations in which the concepts described herein may be
practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for
the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various
concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art
that these concepts may be practiced without these specific
details.
[0021] Data centers and network facilities use multi-fiber optical
cables, which may be called trunk cables, to carry data in the form
of light from one end of the cable to the other via each fiber of
the cables. Using light as the medium for transmission may provide
various benefits over use of electrical transmission over copper
wires. For example, light transmissions over fiber optic cables
offer higher bandwidth, faster transmissions, and less transmission
loss over long distances than electrical transmissions over copper
wire. Light transmissions are also immune to much of the
environmental interference that affects electric current over
copper wires.
[0022] In many applications, for each fiber in a trunk cable that
transmits data in one direction, there is a paired fiber that
carries data in the opposite direction, forming a transmit-receive
pair which may be called a channel. When fiber optic trunk cables
are manufactured, they may be manufactured with one of a variety of
polarity configurations, which may also be referred to as
transmission polarities or transmission protocols. It is important
that data sent over a fiber arrives at the expected location on the
other end, which is to say that it is important that the trunk
cable be manufactured with the expected polarity configuration. A
trunk cable with an incorrect polarity configuration will cause
miscommunication between pieces of equipment that are trying to
communicate over the cable. Such miscommunications can be costly to
locate, both in terms of down time of the equipment and user time
spent troubleshooting.
[0023] Accordingly, it is desirable to do quality assurance testing
on newly manufactured fiber optic trunk cables to ensure that the
polarity configuration is correct. This typically involves applying
a stimulus to one end of the cable and observing the response at
the other end of the cable. The tester, knowing what the polarity
configuration of the cable is supposed to be, knows what the
response should look like for a given stimulus and can therefore
evaluate the polarity configuration based on observing the
response, such as visually observing the response. The stimulus may
simply be a light source shined down each fiber in the bundle, one
fiber at a time, in a known sequence. Evaluation may be performed
simply by looking at the other end of the cable with the naked eye
to observe the response. Alternatively, a camera, magnifier, or
other apparatus may be used to assist the user in observing the
response more easily, as optical fibers tend to be very small in
diameter.
[0024] There are different expected responses to the same stimulus
for different polarity configurations. As a result, a tester that
is using the same stimulation sequence for each cable that is
tested must mentally keep track of the proper expected response for
each cable that is tested. While not intrinsically difficult, human
error can easily occur when a tester spends many hours testing
cable after cable with changing expected response sequences.
[0025] Furthermore, some response sequences may be inherently
simpler to keep track of than others (e.g., the linear sequence 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 may be easier to keep track of
than the sequence 2, 1, 4, 3, 6, 5, 8, 7, 10, 9, 12, 11). The
potential for human error would be reduced if the tester only had
to keep track of one response sequence for all stimulation
sequences. This may be accomplished, for example, by allowing a
processor to keep track of the polarity configuration of the cable
under test, to modify the stimulation sequence to ensure that the
expected response is the same for each possible polarity
configuration, and to apply the modified stimulation sequence to an
end of the cable under test.
[0026] The present disclosure describes systems and methods for
testing bundles of optic fibers, such as fiber optic trunk cables,
for correct polarity of connections at each end of the bundle of
fibers. Ends of each fiber in the cable may be placed into a
connector to simplify connection of the cable to the input and
output equipment. The same stimulation to the input connectors will
give different response sequences at the output connector. For
example, if there are 12 fibers in a cable, and the input connector
fibers are stimulated in order from 1 through 12, the output
response should match the sequence of the polarity transmission
protocol of the trunk cable. However, manufacturing defects may
result in an unexpected result, which is to say that fibers may not
be correctly connected to either the input connector or the output
connector. This may be tested for by applying a known stimulation
sequence and observing the response to see if it is as expected. If
the response is not as expected, the user can conclude that the
cable is flawed.
[0027] In some implementations of the present disclosure, a user
may connect both the input and output of a 12-fiber trunk cable to
a multi-path, fiber-optic polarity tester and select a polarity
configuration on the tester that corresponds to the intended
polarity configuration of the cable. The user may then initiate a
test. A processor or controller in the polarity tester may modify a
stimulation sequence based on the selected polarity configuration
such that the expected response is a linear response (e.g., each
fiber of the output lights up in order from position 1 to position
12). In some implementations, this modification may comprise
selecting one of a number of pre-determined stimulation sequences
from a memory. The user may then view the response at the output of
the cable, for example using a magnifying device or a display
device that displays an output of a camera viewing the cable's
output to verify that the expected liner response occurs. In this
way, a user of the polarity tester may ensure the polarity tester
is set up correctly and then may watch for one response sequence.
In other implementations, the response sequence may be any sequence
that is desired, or the polarity tester may perform image analysis
of the camera output and make its own determination of whether the
expected response sequence was seen.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a multi-path
polarity tester 100 according to an implementation of the present
disclosure. In this implementation, the multi-path polarity tester
100 includes a base unit 102 and a display unit 104. The base unit
102 includes a front panel 106, further described in FIG. 2, which
may contain various ports, indicators, and controls, including
input or user interface components. The base unit 102 may further
contain a processor, memory, sensors, test signal generators, and
the like as well as any associated circuitry. In an implementation,
the test signal generators may be Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), and
the sensor may be a camera. The display unit 104 contains a display
108, which may be, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a
thin-film-transistor (TFT) LCD, an organic light emitting diode
(OLED) display, or the like. In other implementations, the display
108 may be a tablet computer, a smart phone, or the like. A fiber
optic trunk cable 110 may connect to the polarity tester 100 by
interfacing connectors on the ends of the trunk cable 110 with
ports of the front panel 106. For example, an input connector 112
of the first end of the trunk cable 110 may connect to a signal
generator output port 116 of the front panel 106, and an output
connector 114 of the second end of the trunk cable 110 may connect
to a sensor input port 118 of the front panel 106.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an
implementation of the front panel 106 of the multi-path polarity
tester 100. A path selection portion 202 has a path selection
control 204 that allows for selection of a transmission protocol,
or transmission path, for the polarity tester 100. The possible
transmission protocols will be described in further detail below
with respect to FIG. 3. In this implementation, the path selection
control 204 may be a knob. In other implementations, the path
selection control 204 may be some other type of input device,
including for example, a switch, toggle, button, selectable icon on
a computer screen, or other user input device. The path selection
portion 202 may further include path selection indicators 206,
which may be LEDs or the like. As the path selection control 204 is
manipulated, a path selection indicator 206 corresponding to the
currently selected transmission protocol, or path, will activate.
For example, if the path selection indicator is an LED, it may
light up. Labels associated with the each selection indicator 206
may be referenced by a user of the polarity tester 100 to determine
which transmission protocol is presently selected before initiating
a test.
[0030] The input connectors 112 of the trunk cable 110 (FIG. 1) may
use various industry standard connector types. For example, the
Multi-Termination Push-on (MTP) or Multifiber Push-on (MPO) is a
compact, single connector that houses all of the fibers in the
trunk cable 110. In the present implementation, a 12-fiber MTP
connector is used as the input connector 112 of trunk cable 110,
but standard 24-fiber, 72-fiber, or larger MTP connectors may also
be used. The MTP connector comes in a male (MTPm) and female (MTPf)
variety. The MTPm connector includes guide pins which slot into
holes in an MTPf connector in order to align the fibers of the
connector with corresponding fibers in the female connector. Lucent
Connectors (LCs) house a single fiber, by contrast. LCs may be
clipped together to ensure that the fibers maintain a desired
spatial relationship to each other. In the present implementation,
12 LCs, representing 6 channels, are clipped together to serve as
an integral 12-fiber input connector 112 for trunk cable 110.
[0031] In an implementation of the present disclosure, the signal
generator output ports 116 of the front panel 106 include an MTPf
signal generator output port 208, an MTPm signal generator output
port 210, and six LC pair signal generator output ports 212, each
of which include two LC output ports. These various output ports
116 allow the front panel 106 to interface with trunk cables 110
using MTPf, MTPm, and LC connectors. The front panel 106 has a
connector selection control 214 that allows for selection of an
active signal generator output port set from among the MTPf signal
generator output port 208, the MTPm signal generator output port
210, and the LC pair signal generator output ports 212. As the
connector selection control 214 is manipulated, an active connector
indicator 216 associated with each set of output ports will
activate to indicate to a user of the polarity tester 100 which
ports are presently selected, and therefore which ports to plug the
trunk cable 110's input connectors 112 into for testing. The active
connector indicators 216 may be, for example, LEDs that light up
when activated.
[0032] The front panel 106 further includes a sensor input port 118
that interfaces with the output connector 114 of the trunk cable
110. In the present implementation, the sensor input port 118 is an
MTP port. Accordingly, the system disclosed herein can test MTP-MTP
and/or MTP-LC cable assemblies.
[0033] The front panel 106 further includes a test initiation
control 218. In this implementation, the test initiation control
218 may be a button that may be pressed to initiate a test
sequence. In other implementations, the test initiation control 218
may be some other type of input device, including for example, a
switch, toggle, selectable icon on a computer screen, or other user
input device. When the test initiation control 218 is actuated, the
polarity tester 100 will initiate a polarity test, as further
described below.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated an internal
diagram of an implementation of the multi-path polarity tester 100.
The base unit 102 includes a light source 302 that serves as a
signal generator for the polarity tester 100. The light source may
be comprised of, for example, visible light LEDs and supporting
circuitry. The light source 302 is connected to the MTPf signal
generator output port 208, the MTPm signal generator output port
210, and the LC pair signal generator output ports 212 in order to
provide light to the input connectors 112 of the trunk cable
110.
[0035] As each LC pair port 212 corresponds to a pair of fibers in
the trunk cable 110, it is possible to simply align an LED behind
each LC pair port 212. However, the MTP ports 208 and 210 may be
too compactly configured to align an LED with each fiber of the
cable. Accordingly, arrays 304 may be used to direct light from
LEDs of light source 302 to the points of the MTP ports 208 and 210
meant to interface with fibers in an MTP input connector 112. The
arrays 304 may include short optical fibers that serve to redirect
light from LEDs of light source 302 on one end to openings of MTP
ports 208 and 210 on a second end. In some implementations, similar
arrays may be used for the LC pair ports 212 to allow for freedom
of placement of the light source 302 within the base unit 102. In
some examples, four of the LC pair ports 212 (referenced also as
ports 1, 2, 5, 6) would be used only when a 4-channel cable is
tested. For example, four ports 212 may be used when testing a 40
Gig LC-MTP A-A or LC-MTP A-B (40 Gig assemblies only 4 channels
1,2/5,6). In some examples, all six LC pair ports 212 may be for
any six channel configuration. That is, all six LC ports 212 may be
used when six LCs are required for any 6 channel LC-MTP cable
assembly with any of the path configurations.
[0036] The base unit 102 further includes a light sensor 306
configured to receive light from the sensor input port 118. In an
implementation, the light sensor 306 may be a camera, a digital
microscope, or the like. The light sensor may be located and
oriented to provide a visualization of the input ports so that they
can be displayed on the display 108. In an implementation, the
input to light sensor 306 is processed by processor 308, described
below, and displayed by display unit 104, as described below with
respect to FIG. 5.
[0037] The base unit 102 further includes a memory 307, which may
include various instructions to be executed by the processor 308 as
well as a number of pre-determined stimulation sequences that
correspond to settings of the path selection control 204.
[0038] The base unit 102 further includes a controller or processor
308, which may be a microcontroller or the like. The processor 308
interfaces with the light source 302, light sensor 306, memory 307,
path selection control 204, connector selection control 214, path
selection indicators 206, active connector indicators 216, test
initiation control 218, and display unit 104. The processor 308 may
coordinate the functions of the above elements as will be further
described below.
[0039] The base unit 102 further includes adapters 310, identified
as spacers in FIG. 3, integrated with the signal generator output
ports 116 and the sensor input port 118. The adapters interface
with the input connectors 112 and output connector 114 of the trunk
cable 110 to securely seat the connectors 112 and 114 into their
respective ports in such a way that no part of the ports contacts
the ferrules of connectors 112 and 114. This prevents wear and tear
on the ferrules of connectors 112 and 114 while optically
connecting the trunk cable 110 to the polarity tester 100 to
perform diagnostic tests. This preservation of the ferrules can aid
in prolonging the useful life of the connectors and avoids risk of
damage during testing. Accordingly, because some implementations
include ports that do not contact the ferrules of the connectors,
the polarity tester described herein may be referred to as a
non-contact polarity tester. In addition, the light sensor may
visually capture light through the cable without any contact on the
ferrule, and therefore there may be no risk of contact there at
all.
[0040] The adapters of the MTPm and MTPf ports may be modified to
be longer than those standardly used on MTPm or MTPf connectors in
order to prevent contact with the ferrule of the corresponding MTPf
or MTPm connectors while maintaining proper alignment. The MTPm
connectors may include guide pins. The adapters of the LC ports may
take the form of a sleeve that is designed to fit around the LC
connector while spacing the ferrule of the LC connector away from
the output ports 116 and maintaining proper alignment. Accordingly,
in some implementations, the adapters of the output ports are
modified to allow a gap between the light source port and the
connector that is plugged therein to be tested.
[0041] FIG. 8 shows exemplary implementations of an adapter 800 for
a lucent connector (LC) and an adapter 310 for MTP female and male
connectors in greater detail with the adapters 800, 310 offsetting
the trunk cable 110 to prevent the fibers of the cable 110 from
contacting any surfaces of the testing ports 212, 208, 210. The LC
adapter 800 houses light source 302 disposed adjacent tunnels 810
such that an individual light source 302 (e.g., an LED) provides
light directed through an individual tunnel 810. Light passes
through the tunnel 810 and into the ferrules of the LC. The LC
adapter 800 also provides a gap 820 between the end of the LC and
the light source 302 to prevent contact between the fibers of the
LC and any components or surfaces of the LC adapter and the LC pair
signal generator output ports 212. In some implementations, the gap
820 may be sized in the range of any non-contact gap to
approximately 1.0 inch. In some implementations, the gap 820 may
more preferably be 0.22 to 0.23 inch. However, other sizes of gap
820, both larger and smaller, are contemplated. The MTP adapter 310
may be used with arrays 304 to redirect light from LEDs of the
light source 302 when the fibers of the trunk cable 110 are
compactly configured.
[0042] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate exemplary implementations of the
MTP adapter 310 and connectors in greater detail. In some aspects,
the MTP adapter 310 may include a first end 912, a second end 914,
and a flange portion 916 disposed between the first and second ends
912, 914, respectively. The MTP adapter 310 may further include
through holes 922, 924 extending from the first end 912 to the
second end 914. The flange portion 916 may further include a first
side 918 and a second side 920 with the first side facing the
flange first end 912 and the second side 920 facing the flange
second end 914. MTP adapters 310 are integrated with the signal
generator output ports 116 and the sensor input port 118 of the
base unit such that the second side 920 of each MTP adapter 310 is
disposed proximate the front panel 106 of base unit 102 as shown in
FIG. 8.
[0043] In some implementations, the signal generator output ports
116 may include one each of an MTPf signal generator output port
208 and an MTPm signal generator output port 210. The MTPf signal
generator output port 208 includes a ferrule 930 having an end face
932, and guide pins 934. The individual fibers of the cable are
disposed in the ferrule 930 with the fiber ends exposed in the end
face 932 between the guide pins 934. The MTPm signal generator
output port 210 includes a ferrule 940 having an end face 942, and
holes 944. The individual fibers of the cable are disposed in the
ferrule 940 with the fiber ends exposed in the end face 942 between
the holes 944.
[0044] The MTPf signal generator output port 208 tests input
connectors 112 of the trunk cable 110 having an MTPf connector
112f, which similar to the MTPm signal generator output port 210
includes a ferrule 960 with an end face 962, and holes 964. The
MTPm signal generator output port 210 tests input connectors 112 of
the trunk cable 110 having an MTPm connector 112m, which similar to
the MTPf signal generator output port 208 includes a ferrule 950
with an end face 952, and guide pins 954. In the implementation
shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the MTP adapter 310 includes an MTPf
signal generator output port 208 disposed on the left hand side and
an MTPm signal generator output port 210 on the right hand side;
however, in other aspects, the MTPf signal generator output port
208 may be disposed on the right hand side. In further aspects, the
MTP adapter 310 may include only one MTPf signal generator output
port 208 or only one MTPm signal generator output port 210. In yet
further aspects, the MTP adapter 310 may include more than two
output ports having any combination of none, one, or more MTPf
signal generator output ports 208 and none, one, or more MTPm
signal generator output ports 210.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 9B, when the MTPf connector 112f
interfaces with the MTPf signal generator output port 208, a
shoulder 966 of the MTPf connector 112f abuts the second end 914 of
the MTP adapter 310. Similarly, when the MTPm connector 112m
interfaces with the MTPm signal generator output port 210, a
shoulder 956 of the MTPm connector 112m abuts the second end 914 of
the MTP adapter 310. In addition, the pins 934 of the MTPf signal
generator output port 208 are disposed in the holes 964 of the MTPf
connector 112f, and the pins 954 of the MTPm connector 112m are
disposed in the holes 944 of MTPm signal generator output port 210.
The end face 932 of the MTPf signal generator output port 208 is
separated from the end face 962 of the MTPf connector 112f by a gap
970, and the end face 942 of the MTPm signal generator output port
210 is also separated from the end face 952 of the MTPm connector
112m by gap 970. In some implementations, the gap 970 may be sized
in the range of any non-contact gap to approximately 1.0 inch. In
some implementations, the gap 970 may more preferably be 0.001 to
0.026 inch. However, other sizes of gap 970, both larger and
smaller, are contemplated. While the interface of the pins 934 of
the MTPf output port 208 with the holes 964 of the MTPf connector
112f and the interface of the pins 954 of the MTPm connector 112m
with the holes 944 of the MTPm output port 210 maintains proper
alignment of the fiber ends in the end faces 932, 942 of the MTP
output ports 208, 210, respectively, to the fiber ends in the end
faces 962, 952 of the MTP connectors 112f, 112m, respectively,
during testing, the gap 970 protects the fibers ends by preventing
contact of any part of the MTP output ports 208, 210 on the end
faces of the connectors 112.
[0046] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate diagrams of the transmission
protocols that may be tested for by the multi-path polarity tester
100. When a trunk cable 110 is manufactured, the fibers will be
arranged at the input connector 112 and the output connector 114
according to one of three polarity configurations: straight
polarity, flipped polarity, or crossed polarity. Straight and
crossed polarity are the same regardless of whether LC or MTP
connectors are used for the input connector 112. Flipped polarity
has three variants. For LC input connectors, straight flipped
("A-A") or crossed flipped ("A-B") polarity may be used, while the
polarity used for MTP input connectors is simply referenced as
flipped polarity.
[0047] The diagrams illustrate the relationship of inputs and
outputs of the trunk cable 110 for a 12-fiber cable. The numbers 1
through 12 indicate the position of each individual fiber in each
connector, from left to right. For example, fiber position 1 is the
leftmost position in the input connector and in the output
connector, and fiber position 12 is the rightmost position in the
output connector and the input connector. In an MTP connector,
there are simply 12 fibers arranged in a row, while in an LC
connector there are 12 LC connectors clipped together in a row.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 4A, there is illustrated a diagram of
a straight polarity transmission protocol. In this protocol, input
fiber position 1 connects to output fiber position 1, input fiber
position 2 connects to output fiber position 2, and so on for all
12 fibers.
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 4B, there is illustrated a diagram of
a crossed polarity transmission protocol. In this protocol, each
channel pair is "crossed," e.g., input fiber position 1 connects to
output fiber position 2, and input fiber position 2 connects to
output fiber position 1. Similarly, input fiber position 3 connects
to output fiber position 4, and input fiber position 4 connects to
output fiber position 3. This pattern is repeated for each channel
pair.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 4C, there is illustrated a diagram of
a flipped polarity transmission protocol. In this protocol, each
fiber is "mirrored" from its position on one connector to the
opposite position on the other connector. That is to say, input
fiber position 1 connects to output fiber position 12, input fiber
position 2 connects to output fiber position 11, input fiber
position 3 connects to output fiber position 10, and so on for the
remaining fibers.
[0051] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated an
implementation of display unit 104 during operation of the
multi-path polarity tester 100. In this implementation, the display
108 directly displays an image as seen by the light sensor 306. As
described above, the light sensor 306 may be a camera which views
the light exiting the output connector 114 via the sensor input
port 118. In this implementation, the output connector 114 is a
12-fiber MTP connector, and accordingly the display shows a view of
the end of the 12-fiber MTP output connector 114. An array of 12
brackets 502 is superimposed over the light sensor image on the
display 108. It should be understood that the number of brackets
corresponds to the number of fibers, and may vary depending on the
setting of the path selection control or the connector selection.
Each of the brackets is placed such that it brackets or identifies
the location of a fiber in the MTP output connector 114. Each
bracket is numbered from left to right, which allows a user to
easily identify the fiber position that is lit up when light is
sent through the corresponding fiber of the trunk cable 110. For
example, light spot 504 is in fiber position 3 of the MTP output
connector 114. The other positions and fibers positions are also
aligned. Since the brackets each align with a single fiber, the
polarity tester 100 may test the polarity of the fibers by
directing light through individual fibers, and the light spot will
then appear at the corresponding bracket for each fiber.
[0052] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart diagram of a method 600 for
testing the transmission polarity of a fiber optic trunk cable 110
using the multi-path polarity tester 100 from the perspective of
the processor 308. Beginning at block 602, the processor 308
monitors the test initiation control 218. When the test initiation
control 218 is actuated, the test begins. Accordingly, the test
initiation control may communicate a signal to the processor 308,
which may then initiate the test sequence. For example the test
initiation control may be actuated by a user pressing a button,
flipping a switch or taking other action. In some implementations,
the test initiation control cooperates with the signal generator
output port 116 so that the test initiation begins whenever the
input connector 112 is introduced to the signal generator output
port 116. When the test is initiated, the method moves to block
604.
[0053] At block 604, the processor 308 checks the setting of the
path selection control 204 and, based on the setting, selects or
modifies a stimulation sequence to be used to stimulate the fiber
optic trunk cable 110. In order to remove the need for a user to
keep track of what the expected response to a simple 1 to 12
stimulation sequence should be based on each possible transmission
protocol, the processor 308 selects or modifies the stimulation
sequence such that the expected response sequence will be a simple
1 to 12 sequence regardless of the actual stimulation sequence. In
other implementations, the processor 308 may retrieve a
pre-determined stimulation sequence from memory based on the
setting of the path selection control 204. The processor or other
electronics of the polarity tester 100 may activate an active a
path selection indicator 206 to indicate to the user the selected
path.
[0054] At block 606, the processor 308 checks the setting of the
connector selection control 214 to determine which of the signal
generator output ports 116 should receive the stimulation, and the
processor will then direct the light source to the proper signal
generator output port. The selected signal generator output ports
may also be indicated by an LED. The processor 308 then activates
the light sources 302 in the stimulation sequence determined at
block 604, and directs the light to the selected signal generator
output ports 116. For example, the processor may control the
stimulation sequence for the straight polarity sequence to be 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12; the stimulation sequence for the
flipped polarity sequence may be 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3,
2, 1; and the stimulation sequence for the crossed polarity
sequence may be 2, 1, 4, 3, 6, 5, 8, 7, 10, 9, 12, 11. Other
sequences for other types of fibers are contemplated herein, and
may vary with the number of fibers in the trunk cable 110 and the
connector types.
[0055] Each fiber of the trunk cable 110 is stimulated in sequence,
and may be stimulated for an amount of time that makes it easy for
a user to verify stimulation at block 608. In some implementations,
this amount of time is one second. In other implementations, the
amount of time is longer or shorter than one second. In some
implementations, the amount of time is less than 5 seconds. In some
implementations, the length of stimulation time for each fiber may
be variable and may be selected or input by a user based on a
personal preference or other criteria.
[0056] At block 608, the processor 308 passes the output of the
light sensor 306 to the display 108 and overlays the array of
brackets 502 on the display 108, thereby showing the results of the
test. The output of the light sensor 306 is the response to the
stimulation sequence. If the path selection control 204 and the
connector selection control 214 are set properly, and if the fiber
optic trunk cable 110 is manufactured properly, then light spots
504 will display in sequence from the leftmost bracket 502 (which
is labeled with a "1") to the rightmost bracket 502 (which is
labeled with a "12"). In some implementations, the light spots for
a proper fiber will display in sequence adjacent each bracket as 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, regardless of whether the
stimulation sequence is the straight polarity sequence, the flipped
polarity sequence, the crossed polarity sequence or some other
sequence. As such, if the test results vary from the expected
sequence of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, it is indicative
of a faulty cable.
[0057] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is illustrated a flow chart
diagram of a method 700 for testing the transmission polarity of a
fiber optic trunk cable 110 using the multi-path polarity tester
100 from the perspective of a user. Beginning at block 702, the
user determines the polarity configuration of the fiber optic trunk
cable 110 that is to be tested. For example, the user may determine
the polarity configuration as straight, flipped, crossed, as
described herein, or some other polarity configuration.
[0058] At block 704, the user connects the input connector 112 of
the trunk cable 110 to the appropriate signal generator output
ports 116 on the front panel 106 of the multi-path polarity tester
100. At block 706, the user connects the output connector 114 of
the trunk cable 110 to the sensor input port 118 on the front panel
106 of the polarity tester 100.
[0059] At block 708, the user manipulates the path selection
control 204 to select the polarity transmission protocol that
corresponds to the polarity configuration of the trunk cable 110
that was determined at block 702. For example, the user may select
the polarity configuration as straight, flipped, crossed, as
described herein, or some other polarity configuration. In some
implementations, this may be done by manually activating a user
input device, such as a selection knob, switch, button, or other
input device.
[0060] At block 710, the user manipulates the connector selection
control 214 to select the signal generator output ports 116 to
which the user connected the trunk cable 110 at block 704. For
example, the user may select the active signal generator output
port set from among the MTPf signal generator output port 208, the
MTPm signal generator output port 210, and the LC pair signal
generator output ports 212. The polarity tester 100 may respond by
activating an active connector indicator 216 associated with each
set of output ports to indicate to the user which ports are
presently selected, and therefore which ports to plug the trunk
cable 110's input connectors 112 into for testing. In some
implementations, this may be done by manually activating a user
input device, such as a selection knob, switch, button, or other
input device.
[0061] At block 712, the user actuates the test initiation control
218, beginning the test. As described herein, this may be done by
pressing a button, flipping a switch, or performing some other
action to initiate the test.
[0062] At block 714, the user observes the display 108 to see if
the expected response is displayed. As noted above with respect to
block 608, if the user set the path selection control 204 and the
connector selection control 214 properly, and if the fiber optic
trunk cable 110 was manufactured properly, then the user should
observe light spots 504 in sequence from the leftmost bracket 502
(which is labeled with a "1") to the rightmost bracket 502 (which
is labeled with a "12").
[0063] If the light spots shine in sequence from 1 to 12, then the
cable has passed the polarity test and the polarity of the cable is
correct. If the light spots do not light in sequence from 1 to 12,
and so long as the settings are correct, then the cable does not
pass the polarity test, and the cable can be repaired or discarded.
Thus, the polarity test allows a user to test the polarity of
cables in a manner simpler and easier than has been done before.
That is, the cable polarity can be tested in a simple manner,
increasing the accuracy and efficiency of polarity testing.
[0064] Various implementations of the present disclosure may
include advantages over prior solutions. Conventional testing
arrangements involve a user observing, possibly with the naked eye,
a response to a uniform stimulus that is applied to a fiber optic
trunk cable and relying on their knowledge of the expected response
for each polarity configuration. By contrast, the present system
does away with the need to remember different response sequences,
thereby reducing potential mistakes by the user, and also provides
an easy-to-view magnified display to reduce strain on the user's
eyes. Furthermore, conventional testing arrangements may require
connectors of the cable under test to be inserted such that the
ferrules of the connectors are in contact with the testing
equipment. This causes wear and tear on the delicate ferrules. By
contrast, the present system uses adapters to align the ferrules of
the connectors with the signal source and with the light sensor
input to create an optical interface without putting wear and tear
on the ferrules.
[0065] The various illustrative blocks and modules described in
connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or
performed with a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA
or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor
logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof
designed to perform the functions described herein. A
general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the
alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,
controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also
be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a
combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple
microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a
DSP core, or any other such configuration).
[0066] The foregoing outlines features of several implementations
so that a person of ordinary skill in the art may better understand
the aspects of the present disclosure. Such features may be
replaced by any one of numerous equivalent alternatives, only some
of which are disclosed herein. One of ordinary skill in the art
should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure
as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and
structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the
same advantages of the implementations introduced herein. One of
ordinary skill in the art should also realize that such equivalent
constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the
present disclosure, and that they may make various changes,
substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
* * * * *