Fiber Instruments

Interferometric Inspection System

The interferometric inspection system (STAR-VFI-xxxx) specifically designed for checking the surface quality and flatness of your cleaved or polished fibers. The VFI interferometer has proved itself in Research, Production and QA over and over and the feedback we get from users indicates that they value these features:

Features & Benefits

• Accepts 125 to 1200μm fiber diameters

• 5Mpixel camera gives x6 digital zoom

• Arden, Fujikura/AFL, Vytran and Furakawa/FITEL holders

• End angle/radius of curvature estimation

• Inspect and Fringe modes

• Flat and angled ends

• User calibration facility

Applications

• Precision cleaver manufacture

• Cleaver maintenance

• Laser manufacture

• Medical device manufacturing

• Fiber R&D n Development and testing of angled cleaves and cleavers

• Device pigtailing

Specifictions

Ordering Information

Options

Encircled Flux Meter

Encircled Flux is now widely accepted as the preferred way to specify modal filling by IEEE, TIA and IEC. Measurement of Encircled Flux is defined in FOTP-203 – the “Modal Explorer” is the most standards-compliant measurement system available today and has been chosen by major standards labs in the USA and Europe as the basis for their critical measurements

Its compact size and solid design make it the tool of choice in cable makers, fiber optic instrument companies and VCSEL, laser and LED source makers. In use in factories every day, major players in the industry rely on the Modal Explorer.The Modal Explorer is available for measurements at 850 and 1300nm as well as other custom wavelengths. Modal Explorer makes measurement of Encircled Flux easy and accurate, and it complies with international standards.

But if you are measuring laser-based transmission light sources for multi-mode systems you may need to use a test jumper assembly and fiber shaker in order to avoid “speckle”. Industry standards, for example IEEE 802.3aq and FOTP–203, call for the use of a mechanical fiber shaker. The Fiber Shaker (MPX-SR3 option) reduces speckle by changing the differential path length of the modes in the fiber. The fiber is shaken continuously to allow the speckle to be averaged out. This will ensure sufficient repeatability for the measurement of the Encircled Flux

Features & Benefits

• End face inspection mode with focus indicator to give better repeatability from operator to operator

• Power monitor - optimize light throughput and modal conditions simultaneously

• Real-time measurement - adjust modal conditions easily as well as increase productivity

• Internal LED with fully filled launch condition

• USB2.0 connection gives portability - with the optional carrying case plus a laptop computer

• Optional geometrical calibration artefact to enable user calibration of MPX

• API software control feature designed for use in the production environment

Applications

• Source and patchcord characterization for IEC11801 and TIA/EIA568 LAN testing

• VCSEL characterization for Gigabit Ethernet IEEE 802.3

• Mode-scrambler and mode-filter characterization

• Connector inspection n Measure sources to IEC 61280-4-1

• Alignment of pig-tailed light sources

MPX-CP01 and MPX-CC-02

Specifictions

Ordering Information

Options

Fiber shaker (***see option MPX-SR3)

Fiber Glass Geometry Measurement System

The FGC range is the complete solution for measuring the dimensions of standard and specialty fiber in both production and R&D environments. FGC-GT – fiber glass geometry for fibers up to 400 µm diameter. FGC-GS – fiber glass geometry for fibers up to 1000 µm diameter.

Darkfield Illumination

The darkfield illumination system allows the software to show a clear live image of the end face of the fiber by illuminating the end face of the fiber and imaging the reflected light. This allows users to inspect the end face of the fiber whilst taking geometry measurements. The darkfield method of fiber geometry measurement is supported by both NPL in the UK and NIST in the USA.

The FGC comes with an efficient software package containing controls to switch between reflection and transmission mode. This allows users to quickly and easily get both core and cladding geometry measurements including diameter, non-circularity and concentricity. The software contains measurement templates for all standard telecoms fibers, however users can also create their own. This allows the measurement of many special fiber types including dual clad fiber, bend insensitive fiber, multicore fibers and many more.

Features & Benefits

• Measures the widest range of fiber sizes and types – single unit solution means less bench space, reduced training

• Standards compliant – calibrated to international standards, ensuring confidence in its accuracy

• Production ready – reliable, repeatable, operator-independent results in seconds

Specifictions

• * Repeatability is measured on the FGC-GT using a single 125 µm fiber without removing it from the unit, the repeatability specifications are only applicable to OM1, OM2 and singlemode fibers.

• ** Repeatability is measured on the FGC-GS using a single 540/600 µm fiber without removing it from the unit

Ordering Information

FGC-GA Array Geometry Measurement System

The FGC-GA is the ultimate solution for measurement and process control for V-groove array production. With one unit, users can measure V-groove block geometry, core-to-core pitch and core X & Y offset of multifiber arrays up to 15mm in width. With a 1200µm field of view as well as an automated lateral stage for scanning along the entire width of the array, the FGC-GA is the fastest and most flexible way to produce top quality V-groove arrays

Features and Benefits

• Measurement of core to core pitch, X-offset, Y-offset and V-groove block geometry.

• Lateral adjustment stage and image stitching for measurement over a 15mm array width.

• Flexible software can adjust for different fiber types (SM, PM, MM).

• 1200µm field of view allows simultaneous measurement of up to 4 cores, decreasing

• overall measurement time.

• custom array holders available depending on customer requirements.

Specifications

ODTR Launch boxes

When measuring fiber optic cables using an OTDR, a launch box (also known as a Dead Zone Eliminator) helps to minimize the effects of the OTDR’s launch pulse thus improving the accuracy of the measurement. Our high quality launch boxes come in three different housing formats:

1. Rugged “PELI” boxes versions are airtight, watertight and incredibly tough. These military approved cases are IP65 rated and are used in the harshest environments. Select this version if you want the best protection for your lead-in fiber.

2. Aluminium “EuroCard” enclosure is smaller, lighter than the PELI case offering an ideal solution for factory or lab environments where space is at a premium.

3. ABS “Midi”style enclosure is slightly larger than the “Euro” for longer fiber lengths.

We can supply a range of products in different fiber types including versions with “ModCon” mode control to enable your OTDR to meet the Encircled Flux launch condition requirement in IEC 61280-4-1.

All our boxes come with a full test certificate and 1 year warranty (except damaged connectors)

We offer a standard range of products but we also have the capability to make custom solutions to your precise requirements.

Features & Benefits

• Improve OTDR measurement accuracy

• Available with “ModCon” Launch conditioning to allow compliance with EF requirements of IEC 61280-4-1

• Rugged carrying case for long lifetime in field or factory

• Available in 09/125SM, 50/125MM, 62.5/125MM

• Custom configurations available

• User replaceable input and output leads (fusion splicer required) for long life time

• High quality components e.g. Draka PCVD GIMM fiber

Applications

• OTDR testing in field or factory

• Remove the “dead zone” from OTDR measurements

• Calibration comparison for OTDR measurements

• Long haul system loop back for field testing transmissions

Specification

	“PELI” style	“Midi” style	“EuroCard” style
Size	232 x 192 x 111 mm        9.25 x 7.75 x 4.5 in	155 x 240 x 35 mm        6.0 x 9.5 x 1.45 in	166 x 105 x 33 mm        6.5 x 4.1 x 1.3 in
Weight	1.3 kg (3.0 lb)	0.5kg (1.1 lb)	0.5kg (1.1 lb)
Operating temperature	-40 to +55 C	0 to +40 C	0 to +40 C
Typical loss	< 0.5dB @ 1310nm with 1km sm fiber	< 0.5dB @ 1310nm with 1km sm fiber	< 1.0dB @ 1310nm with 200m mm fiber
Input and output lead length	1m	1m	1m
Image

Ordering information

We offer OTDR launch boxes in several standard configurations:

OTDR lead-in boxes in “PELI” case – singlemode

OTDR lead-in boxes in “MIDI” case – singlemode

OTDR lead-in boxes in “PELI” case – multimode

OTDR lead-in boxes in “EuroCard” enclosure – multimode

Other configurations available on application

Reference Fiber Optic Cables

We can supply a wide range of reference patchcords for use as the launch point for optical system testing. These  patchcords are made to the highest tolerances to give you consistent measurement data.

Features & Benefits

• Innovative – unusual combinations of connectors, fibers and cables

• Reliable – 100% testing of insertion loss, return loss, end face feometry and surface finish

• High Performance – low insertion loss/high return loss/ custom wavelengths

Connectors

Fibers

Cables

Performance