The fiber fusion splicer fuses the cut ends of the optical fiber according to standard parameters to make the light transmit signals normally in the line. It is mainly used in engineering where optical fiber is used to transmit signals, because the connection and access of optical fiber must involve the seamless connection of optical fiber. The fiber fusion splicer is the main tool for optical fiber splicing. In addition to the heating method, there are many classification methods for fusion splicers.
Classification of fiber fusion splicers according to the number of optical fibers fused at the same time
According to the number of optical fibers fused at the same time, the fiber fusion splicer can be divided into single-fiber fusion splicer, that is, the fusion of one optical fiber is completed at a time; multi-fiber fusion splicer, that is, the fusion of one optical fiber ribbon is completed at a time.
Classification of fiber fusion splicers according to the mode of fusion fiber
The fiber fusion splicer can be divided into single-mode fusion splicer and multi-mode fusion splicer according to the mode of fusion fiber. The multi-mode fusion splicer uses a fixed groove, and the tension of the optical fiber itself falls into the groove to realize automatic correction of axial deviation. No fine-tuning positioner is required in the vertical direction. Usually, multimode fusion splicers cannot be used for single-mode optical fiber fusion splicing, because the core of single-mode optical fiber is very thin, and the alignment accuracy based on the outer diameter of the optical fiber cannot meet the requirements.
Fiber fusion splicers are classified according to the level of technological development
1. 1st generation fiber fusion splicer
The characteristics of the 1st generation fiber fusion splicer are that the fiber alignment, fusion and connection loss measurements are all performed manually, and generally remote power monitoring is used, that is, the optical power is input at the beginning of the optical fiber, and the optical power meter is used to monitor the remote end. The monitoring results are then transmitted to the joint point through the copper wire. The operator determines whether the optical fiber has been aligned based on the signal size on the indicator.
2. Second-generation fiber fusion splicer
The improvement of the second-generation fiber fusion splicer compared with the first-generation fiber fusion splicer is: the remote power monitoring is improved to local power monitoring, that is, the optical fiber is bent into a small bend with a diameter of φ6~8mm through the monitoring device, and the light injection system is injected into the optical fiber on one side. The optical fiber on the other side is detected and amplified by the light detection system, and the x, y, and z axis regulators are controlled by the driving current to automatically or manually align the optical fiber, and the approximate range of the connection loss can be estimated.
In recent years, this generation of fiber fusion splicers has also been improved. The fiber bending radius is increased and more sensitive. The microprocessor is used, and the x, y, and z axis piezoelectric positioners are used to perform an extended spiral search through the end of the optical fiber until the signal from the optical fiber on the injection side is detected. The servo motor is driven by the automatic control circuit to automatically adjust the optical fiber position. After the signal Z is obtained, the signal is automatically fed to achieve fusion, and the connection loss can be estimated. The microprocessor can program parameters. For optical fibers with different outer diameters, the optical fiber fixing slot plate can be adjusted to perform the fusion splicing of loose or tight sleeve optical fibers.
3. The third generation optical fiber fusion splicer
The third generation optical fiber fusion splicer is characterized by automatic alignment and automatic fusion, as well as a screen display, so it is called a mandrel direct-view fusion splicer.
The screen display uses the built-in micro camera and microprocessor to take pictures and electronically display the optical fiber, and automatically fusion and estimate the connection loss. It does not use the above-mentioned winding method to inject and detect optical power. Therefore, it avoids the damage to the optical fiber caused by bending, and the screen display replaces the microscope observation, which can more intuitively display the quality of the optical fiber end face and whether the connection part is suitable. This type of fusion splicer is suitable for different types of optical fibers such as multimode, single mode, tight sleeve and loose sleeve. Most of the optical fiber fusion splicers currently used are third generation.
4. The fourth generation of optical fiber fusion splicer
The fourth generation of optical fiber fusion splicer has been developed since 1989. Its characteristics are that it can not only automatically align, fusion and detect connection loss of optical fiber, but also has a thermal joint image processing system, which can automatically detect the whole process of fusion. The thermal image during the fusion process is captured and analyzed to determine the deformation, displacement, impurities and bubbles of the optical fiber core and other information related to the connection loss. Therefore, the joint loss can be estimated more comprehensively and accurately.
5. The fifth generation of optical fiber fusion splicer
The fifth generation of fusion splicer is also called a fully automatic optical fiber fusion splicer. It can automatically perform the whole process of "removing the secondary coating layer → cutting → alignment → fusion → reinforcement", so the technical requirements for the operator are not harsh, the fusion rate is fast, and the quality is good. However, due to its large size and high price, it has not yet been widely promoted.