JP2002328071A - Apparatus for inspecting operation of device unit or the like for optical communication system and optical attenuator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a simply structured and inexpensive apparatus for inspecting the operation of a device unit or the like for an optical communication system and an optical attenuator. SOLUTION: The apparatus 1 for inspecting the operation is provided with a connection 3 optically coupled to a light emitting part and a light receiving part of the device unit 2, the first optical fiber cord 4 connected to the connection 3 at its one end, the second optical fiber cord 5 connected to the connection 3 at its one end, and the optical attenuator 6 capable of varying a distance between other ends of the first and second optical fiber cords 4, 5 and adjusting an attenuation ratio. The optical attenuator 6 has a cylindrical member 12 having a female screw on an inner face, a pair of screwed ferrules 13, 13 respectively having a male screw on an outer face, and a ferrule fixing screw as a means for maintaining a constant distance between end faces of the screwed ferrules 13, 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operation inspection apparatus for inspecting the operation of a device unit or the like for an optical communication system.
It mainly relates to an optical attenuator provided in the operation inspection device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an optical communication system in which a network is formed by optical fibers and device units and / or devices are optically coupled to the network has been widely used.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the following problems have occurred with respect to the operation inspection of the device unit and the like.

That is, conventionally, an optical signal transmitted from a light emitting unit of a device unit (and / or equipment) to be inspected is received, and a light receiving unit of the device unit to be inspected receives light signals according to its light transmission characteristics. The operation inspection has been performed using a dedicated inspection device having a large number of configurations capable of transmitting the optical signal. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare dedicated inspection devices at least as many as the number of device units that need to be inspected, which has a problem in that cost is affected.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an operation inspection apparatus such as a device unit for an optical communication system which has a simple configuration and is inexpensive, and an optical attenuator.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation inspection apparatus such as a device unit for an optical communication system, which is used for an optical communication system. An operation inspection apparatus for inspecting the operation of a first connection portion optically coupled to a light emitting portion of the device unit and / or the device, and a first connection portion having the first connection portion at one end. An optical fiber cord, a second connector optically coupled to a light receiving portion of the device unit and / or the device, a second optical fiber cord having the second connector at one end, An optical attenuator configured to vary an interval between the other end of the optical fiber cord and the other end of the second optical fiber cord to adjust an attenuation rate.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation inspection apparatus such as a device unit for an optical communication system according to the present invention. It is characterized by having a constant interval holding means for keeping the interval between the other ends constant after the rate adjustment.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical attenuator for converting a signal light transmitted to a light receiving unit of a device unit and / or a device used in an optical communication system to a predetermined light amount. An optical attenuator for attenuating, comprising: a tubular member having an internal thread on an inner surface; and a pair of threaded ferrules for fixing an optical fiber having an external thread screwed to the internal thread on an outer surface. It is characterized by.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the optical attenuator according to the third aspect, the optical attenuator further comprises a constant interval holding means for maintaining a constant interval between the end faces of the pair of threaded ferrules. It is characterized by that.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the optical attenuator according to the third or fourth aspect, the tip of each of the pair of threaded ferrules is provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical member. It is characterized in that an inserted sleeve for preventing backlash is integrally formed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optical attenuator according to the fifth aspect, wherein an inner surface of the sleeve inserted into each of the distal ends is subjected to a non-reflection treatment.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical attenuator for converting a signal light transmitted to a light receiving unit of a device unit and / or a device used in an optical communication system to a predetermined light amount. An optical attenuator for attenuating, comprising: a bottomed cylindrical member having a bottom exposed at an end face of an optical fiber and having an internal thread on an inner surface; And a ferrule with a screw for fixing.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the optical attenuator according to the seventh aspect, wherein the constant distance is maintained between the end face of the threaded ferrule and the end face of the optical fiber. It is characterized by further comprising a holding means.

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
The distance between the other end of the first optical fiber cord and the other end of the second optical fiber cord can be varied to adjust the attenuation rate so as to be compatible with various device units and / or equipment. That is, a dedicated operation inspection device is not manufactured and arranged for each device unit and / or device that requires an inspection. In other words, the operation inspection apparatus according to the present invention does not only support one-to-one correspondence with device units and / or devices, but also supports various device units and / or devices. Further, the operation inspection apparatus of the present invention adjusts the amount of light to a power budget (predicted value) defined between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit when performing an operation inspection of the device unit and / or the device by the configuration. Build a virtual network in the device unit and / or the device (If an error occurs in the device unit and / or the device in this state, it can be asserted that there is a problem in the device unit and / or the device side ). The operation inspection device of the present invention includes a first connection portion, a second connection portion, a first optical fiber cord, a second optical fiber cord, and an optical attenuator, and has a simple configuration and low cost. Things.

According to the second aspect of the present invention,
The attenuation rate between the other end of the first optical fiber cord and the other end of the second optical fiber cord is always constant. In the present specification, the constant interval holding means may be configured to keep the interval between the other ends permanently constant or to be able to release the original variable state. Shall be good.

According to the third aspect of the present invention,
When a pair of threaded ferrules are screwed into the cylindrical member, and the distance between the end faces of the pair of threaded ferrules is narrowed or widened, the signal light transmitted to the light receiving portion of the device unit and / or the device is determined. Attenuates to the amount of light. The optical attenuator of the present invention includes a cylindrical member and a pair of threaded ferrules, has a simple configuration, and is inexpensive.

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 4,
The attenuation rate of the signal light transmitted to the light receiving section of the device unit and / or the device is always constant. It should be noted that there is no change to a simple configuration and inexpensive one further provided with a fixed interval holding means.

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 5,
The attenuation rate of the signal light transmitted to the light receiving unit of the device unit and / or the device is more stable.

According to the present invention described in claim 6,
Unnecessary reflection in the sleeve is prevented, and the attenuation rate is further stabilized.

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 7,
When the threaded ferrule is screwed into the bottomed cylindrical member, and the distance between the end face of the threaded ferrule and the end face of the optical fiber is narrowed or widened, the device unit and / or
Alternatively, the signal light transmitted to the light receiving unit of the device attenuates to a predetermined light amount. The optical attenuator of the present invention includes a bottomed tubular member and a threaded ferrule, and has a simple configuration and is inexpensive.

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 8,
The attenuation rate of the signal light transmitted to the light receiving section of the device unit and / or the device is always constant. It should be noted that there is no change to a simple configuration and inexpensive one further provided with a fixed interval holding means.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of an operation inspection apparatus such as a device unit for an optical communication system of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the optical attenuator of FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates an operation inspection apparatus according to the present invention. The operation inspection apparatus 1 is connected to an optical communication system device unit (which may be an apparatus optically coupled to a network) 2 that is optically coupled to a network formed of optical fibers, and the device unit is connected to the device unit. 2 to check the operation,
It comprises a connection part 3, a first optical fiber cord 4, a second optical fiber cord 5, and an optical attenuator 6.

The connecting portion 3 is an optical connector (optical plug) having a known configuration, and is provided with a plug housing 8 which is detachable from a connecting portion 7 serving as an optical connector (receptacle) provided on the device unit 2. It has ferrules 9 and 9 held in plug housing 8 (specific examples will be described later). Ferrules 9, 9
One of them is fixed to one end of the first optical fiber cord 4 by an appropriate fixing means such as an adhesive. The other of the ferrules 9 is fixed to one end of the second optical fiber cord 5 in the same manner as described above. In the present embodiment, the plug housing 8 and the one ferrule 9 constitute a first connecting portion described in the claims, and the plug housing 8 and the other ferrule 9 constitute a second connecting portion. It is assumed that

The first optical fiber cord 4 (the same applies to the second optical fiber cord 5. The following "one" is replaced by "the other" and the description is omitted). An optical fiber 10 made of a transparent synthetic resin or glass;
(See FIG. 2; the same applies hereinafter), and a synthetic resin covering member 11 (see FIG. 2; the same applies hereinafter) that covers and protects this. Also, at one end and the other end of the first optical fiber cord 4, the covering member 11 is removed by a predetermined length, and the optical fiber 10 is processed in a bare state. Further, each end face of the optical fiber 10 is processed so as to be flush with an end face of one ferrule 9 and an end face of one threaded ferrule 13 described later. The length of the first optical fiber cord 4 may be at least the length required for the inspection, and in the present embodiment, the length is adjusted within a range that does not affect the cost.

As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the optical attenuator 6 comprises a cylindrical member 12 and a pair of threaded ferrules 13, 1.
3 and a pair of ferrule fixing screws 14, 14. The cylindrical member 12 has a cylindrical shape, and a female screw 15 is formed on the entire inner surface. Moreover, the cylindrical member 1
2, a screw hole 12a penetrating from the outer surface to the inner surface;
12a are formed. Threaded ferrule 13, 1
Numeral 3 is fixed to the other ends of the first optical fiber cord 4 and the second optical fiber cord 5 so as to fix the bare optical fiber wires 10, 10, respectively, in a bare state. Has become. On the outer surface of each of the threaded ferrules 13, 13, male screws 16, 16 to be screwed with the female screw 15 of the tubular member 12 are formed. The ferrule fixing screws 14, 14 are an example of a fixed interval holding means described in the claims, and a screw tip portion is engaged with an outer surface of the threaded ferrules 13, 13. It is configured to be fixed in the tubular member 12. It is assumed that each of the components of the optical attenuator 6 can be made of either metal or synthetic resin.

In the above configuration, the operation inspection apparatus 1 performs the following adjustment before inspection. That is, it is connected to an attenuation rate adjuster (not shown) so that the attenuation rate between the other ends of the first optical fiber cord 4 and the second optical fiber cord 5 is adjusted (in other words, for example, a device) If unit 2 needs inspection,
The light amount is adjusted to a power budget (predicted value) defined between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit).

The not-shown attenuation factor adjuster is provided with, for example, a light source device, a power meter, and a connection portion to the connection portion 3. Adjustment of the attenuation rate can be performed with the threaded ferrule 1 while looking at the power meter while the light source device is operating.
The rotation is performed by rotating the first and third optical fiber cords 4 and 5 to narrow or widen the distance between the other ends of the first and second optical fiber cords 5 and 5.
After the adjustment of the attenuation rate, the ferrule fixing screws 14 are tightened to keep the distance between the other ends constant (because the attenuation rate can always be kept constant). It is effective to fasten the ferrule fixing screws 14 and 14. However, the ferrule fixing screw 1 is effective.
The settings of 4 and 14 are arbitrary).

The operation inspection apparatus 1 after the adjustment of the attenuation rate is connected to the device unit 2 that requires an operation-related inspection, and is used for the inspection. Note that a virtual network is constructed in the device unit 2 by the operation inspection device 1.
If an error occurs in the device unit 2 in that state, it can be asserted that there is a problem on the device unit 2 side.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation inspection apparatus 1 according to the present invention includes the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion including the second connecting portion. Since it includes the optical fiber cord 4, the second optical fiber cord 5, and the optical attenuator 6, it can be provided with a simple configuration. Further, since the configuration is simple, it is possible to provide the device at low cost. Further, by varying the distance between the other ends and adjusting the attenuation rate, it is possible to correspond to the device unit 2 and other various device units and / or devices. It is also possible to provide.

Next, another example of the optical attenuator 6 will be described. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of another example, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view of still another example.

In FIG. 3, another example of the optical attenuator 6 'includes a cylindrical member 17 and a pair of threaded ferrules 18,
18 and the same ferrule fixing screws 14 and 14 as described above. The cylindrical member 17 has a cylindrical shape, and female screws 19 are formed on both ends in the axial direction of the inner surface. In addition, a cylindrical sleeve 20 into which the tip of each of the threaded ferrules 18 is inserted and fixed in the middle of the inner surface (the sleeve 20 may be integrally formed with the cylindrical member 17. Has the effect of making the rate more stable). Reference numerals 21 and 21 indicate screw holes that penetrate the outer and inner surfaces of the cylindrical member 17.

The threaded ferrules 18, 18 are fixed to the other ends of the first optical fiber cord 4 and the second optical fiber cord 5, respectively. , 10 are fixed. In addition, threaded ferrules 18, 18
On the outer surface of each of the above, there are formed external threads 22, 22 which are screwed into the internal threads 19, 19 of the cylindrical member 17.

The inner surface of the insertion (the inner surface of the cylinder) of each of the above-mentioned distal ends of the sleeve 20 is subjected to a non-reflection treatment (the inner surface of the insertion or the entire sleeve 20 is made black or painted black). The anti-reflection treatment is performed on the sleeve 2
0, which has an effect of preventing unnecessary reflection in the sleeve 20 and further stabilizing the attenuation rate.

On the other hand, in FIG. 4, a light attenuator 6 ″ as still another example is configured to include a bottomed cylindrical member 23 and a threaded ferrule 24. The bottomed cylindrical member 23
Is an optical fiber 10 at the bottom of the tube as shown in the figure.
Is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having an end face exposed and a female screw 25 on the inner surface of the cylinder. Threaded ferrule 24
It is fixed to the other end of either the first optical fiber cord 4 or the second optical fiber cord 5, and fixes the bare optical fiber 10 processed in a bare state. On the outer surface of the threaded ferrule 24, a male screw 26 screwed to the female screw 25 of the bottomed cylindrical member 23 is provided.
Are formed.

The adjustment of the attenuation rate in the optical attenuators 6 'and 6 "is the same as that of the optical attenuator 6 described above (however, the optical attenuator 6" is bonded without using the ferrule fixing screws 14 and 14). The operation of the operation inspection apparatus in which the optical attenuator 6 ′ or the optical attenuator 6 ″ is used is the same as the operation inspection apparatus 1 described above.

Next, a brief description will be given of a configuration example of each of the connection sections 3 and 7 of the operation inspection apparatus 1 and the device unit 2 and the like. 5 is a perspective view of each of the connecting portions 3 and 7, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting portion 3, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting portion 7.

5 and 6, the connecting portion 3 includes ferrules 9 and 9 (only one is shown), a plug housing 8 for holding the ferrules 9 and 9, respectively, and a spring which engages with a rear portion of the plug housing 8. Cap 2
7 are provided. The plug housing 8 has a locking arm 28 fitted to the connecting portion 7, a flexible locking portion 30 for preventing the fitting from being engaged with the flange 29 of the ferrule 9, and a projection restricting wall against which the flange 29 of the ferrule 9 abuts. 31 are formed. In addition, reference numeral 32
Indicates a spring located outside the covering member 11 and sandwiched between the ferrule 9 and the spring cap 27.

In FIGS. 5 and 7, the connecting portion 7 is a housing 33 into which the plug housing 8 of the connecting portion 3 is fitted.
Light emitting unit and light receiving unit 34, 34 (only one is shown);
The light emitting / receiving unit holding cap 35 is provided.
The housing 33 is formed with fixing portions 36, 36, and is fixed to the wiring board 39 by the screw holes 37, 37 and the bolts 38, 38 (only one is shown). Reference numeral 40 indicates a projection for positioning. A receiving cylinder 41 is integrally formed inside the housing 33, and a distal end 43 (see FIG. 6) of the ferrule 9 is inserted into a distal end 42 thereof. At the middle and rear ends of the receiving cylinders 41, 41, light guide members 44, 44 (only one is shown) which are interposed between the ferrules 9, 9 and the light emitting unit and the light receiving units 34, 34 are mounted. The light emitting unit and the light receiving units 34, 34
5 is connected to the wiring board 39. A plurality of projections 46 that fit into the housing 33 are formed on the light receiving / emitting portion holding cap 35.

In addition, it goes without saying that the present invention can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist of the present invention. That is, in the optical attenuator 6, the ferrule fixing screws 14, 14
It is also possible to fix with an adhesive without using the adhesive (an adhesive is another example of the means for holding at a constant interval). Further, the optical attenuators 6, 6 ', 6 "can naturally be incorporated in optical communication systems in various fields, in addition to being used for operation inspection.

[0041]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion, the first optical fiber cord, and the second optical fiber cord are connected to each other. Since it includes the optical attenuator, the operation inspection device can be provided with a simple configuration. In addition, since this and the distance between the other end of the first optical fiber cord and the other end of the second optical fiber cord are variable to adjust the attenuation rate and to cope with various device units and / or equipment. In addition, an operation inspection device can be provided at low cost. still,
The operation inspection apparatus of the present invention adjusts the amount of light to a power budget (predicted value) defined between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the device unit and / or the device when performing the operation inspection, and A virtual network can be constructed for inspection. If an error occurs in the device unit and / or the device in that state, it can be asserted that there is a problem in the device unit and / or the device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention,
In addition to the effect of the first aspect of the invention, there is an effect that the attenuation rate between the other end of the first optical fiber cord and the other end of the second optical fiber cord can be always kept constant.

According to the third aspect of the present invention,
Since the optical attenuator includes the cylindrical member and the pair of threaded ferrules, the optical attenuator can be provided with a simple configuration and at low cost. In such a configuration, when the pair of threaded ferrules is screwed into the cylindrical member, and the distance between the end faces of the pair of threaded ferrules is narrowed or widened, the device unit and / or the light-receiving portion of the device can be formed. The transmitted signal light can be easily attenuated to a predetermined light amount.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention,
In addition to the effects of the third aspect, the device unit and / or
Alternatively, there is an effect that the attenuation rate of the signal light transmitted to the light receiving unit of the device can be always kept constant.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention,
In addition to the effects of the third and fourth aspects of the invention, there is an effect that the attenuation rate of the signal light transmitted to the light receiving section of the device unit and / or the device can be further stabilized.

According to the present invention described in claim 6,
In addition to the effect of the invention of claim 5, there is an effect that unnecessary reflection in the sleeve can be prevented and the attenuation rate can be further stabilized.

According to the present invention described in claim 7,
Since the optical attenuator is provided with the bottomed cylindrical member and the threaded ferrule, the optical attenuator can be provided with a simple configuration and at low cost. In such a configuration, when the threaded ferrule is screwed into the bottomed cylindrical member, and the distance between the end face of the threaded ferrule and the end face of the optical fiber is narrowed or widened, the device unit and / or the device is formed. The signal light transmitted to the light receiving unit can be easily attenuated to a predetermined light amount.

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 8,
In addition to the effects of the invention of claim 7, the device unit and / or
Alternatively, there is an effect that the attenuation rate of the signal light transmitted to the light receiving unit of the device can be always kept constant.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of an operation inspection apparatus such as a device unit for an optical communication system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the optical attenuator of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of another example of the optical attenuator.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of still another example of the optical attenuator.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of each connection section of the operation inspection device, the device unit, and the like.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a connection portion of the operation inspection device.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a connection portion such as a device unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation | movement inspection apparatus 2 Device unit 3 Connection part 4 1st optical fiber cord 5 2nd optical fiber cord 6, 6 ', 6 "Optical attenuator 9 Ferrule 10 Optical fiber strand 12, 17 Tube member 13, 18, Reference Signs List 24 Ferrule with thread 14 Ferrule fixing screw (means for maintaining a constant interval) 15, 19, 25 Female screw 16, 22, 26 Male screw 23 Bottomed cylindrical member 34 Light emitting unit (or light receiving unit)

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An operation inspection apparatus for inspecting the operation of a device unit and / or an apparatus used in an optical communication system, comprising: a first optical unit optically coupled to a light emitting unit of the device unit and / or an apparatus. A connection portion, a first optical fiber cord having the first connection portion at one end, a second connection portion optically coupled to a light receiving portion of the device unit and / or the device, and the second connection portion A second optical fiber cord having a portion at one end, and a light configured such that the distance between the other end of the first optical fiber cord and the other end of the second optical fiber cord can be varied to adjust the attenuation rate. An operation inspection device such as a device unit for an optical communication system, comprising: an attenuator. 2. An operation inspection apparatus such as a device unit for an optical communication system according to claim 1, wherein said optical attenuator keeps a constant interval between the other ends after adjusting the attenuation rate. An operation inspection apparatus, such as a device unit for an optical communication system, comprising: 3. An optical attenuator for attenuating a signal light transmitted to a light receiving section of a device unit and / or a device used in an optical communication system to a predetermined amount of light, comprising: a cylindrical member having an internal thread on an inner surface; An optical attenuator comprising: a pair of threaded ferrules for fixing an optical fiber having an external thread screwed to the female thread on an outer surface. 4. The optical attenuator according to claim 3, further comprising a constant interval holding means for maintaining a constant interval between the end faces of the pair of threaded ferrules. 5. The optical attenuator according to claim 3, wherein said inner surface of said cylindrical member is integrally provided with a sleeve for preventing backlash into which each tip of said pair of threaded ferrules is inserted. An optical attenuator characterized by being formed in: 6. The optical attenuator according to claim 5, wherein an inner surface of the sleeve inserted into each of the distal end portions is subjected to anti-reflection processing. 7. An optical attenuator for attenuating a signal light transmitted to a light receiving unit of a device unit and / or a device used in an optical communication system to a predetermined light amount, wherein an end face of an optical fiber is exposed at a bottom. An optical attenuator comprising: a bottomed cylindrical member having an internal thread on an inner surface; and a threaded ferrule for fixing an optical fiber having an external thread on the outer surface. . 8. The optical attenuator according to claim 7, further comprising a constant interval holding means for maintaining a constant interval between the end face of the threaded ferrule and the end face of the optical fiber. Optical attenuator.