Fiber Optic Connector Inspection Test System

Impact Technologies, LLC, in cooperation with American Fujikura LTD/ Noyes (AFL Noyes), propose to develop a hand-held fiber optic connector inspection system that provides a “GO / NO-GO” result based on automatic determination of the terminus endface cleanliness, workmanship, and health. This teaming brings together the research expertise of Impact technology in health monitoring, and embedded data collection with the deep manufacturing knowledge and leadership in hand-held fiber optic inspection from AFL Noyes. Thus a seamless integration from research to market transition is expected. The problem of ambiguity in conventional inspection systems, lack of decision recording, complex and conflicting specification, and challenging test application, are investigated and matched with modern technologies to radically improve the inspection operator’s process and decision-making criteria. A simple, compact, and intelligent “GO/ NO-GO” system is proposed that leverages existing form factors as well as the state of the art in fiber optic probe sets, CMOS technologies, and image processing algorithms to provide the operator with firm decision-making capability as well as the flexibility needed for field and avionic application—specifically JSF. Of significance, this proposal has a high innovation and transition opportunity for commercialization, as AFL/Noyes is a dominant supplier of fiber optic test equipment to the communication industry.