The goal of this project was to learn the effects that various anomalies have on the performance of a fiber optic signal. The intent was to quantify the severity of optical signal loss due to the most common hazards found in the manufacturing processes. The investigation covered insertion loss, return losses, bit error rate, etc. over a range of transmission speeds and power levels. The project defined criteria and specifications for fiber connector end-face inspection as a precursor to the development of standards. It also developed guidelines for cleaning procedures and contamination prevention.  A follow-on project -- the Fiber Connector End-Face Inspection Project -- is working with standards bodies to develop an end-face inspection standard.

Articles

Cleaning Standards for Fiber Optic Connectors Promise Time and Cost Savings, Tatiana Berdinskikh (Celestica, Inc.) and Heather Tkalec (Alcatel), Photonics Spectra, June 2004.

"At the core: how scratches, dust, and fingerprints affect optical connector performance," Tatiana Berdinskikh, Celestica; Heather Tkalec, Alcatel Canada; and Jennifer Nguyen, Solectron, Connector Specifier, January 2004, pp. 10-11.

Presentations

Optical Connector Contamination and its Influence on Optical Signal Performance, presented by Randy Manning, Tyco Electronics, IEC SC86B/WG6, April, 2004 (Warsaw, Poland).

Degradation of Optical Performance of Fiber Optic Connectors in a Manufacturing Environment (poster session presented by Tatiana Berdinskikh, Celestica, at APEX 2004 February 26, 2004)

Optical Connector Contamination and its Influence on Optical Signal Peformance, Tatiana Berdinskikh, Celestical International, et al, International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) working group technical sessions, October 7, 2003 (Montreal).

"Optical Connector Contamination and its Influence on Optical Signal Performance," Dr. Tatiana Berdinskikh, Celestica International, and David Silmser, Alcatel Canada, et al, OMI conference, April 30, 2003, Ottawa, Canada. paper     presentation