JPH04199011A - Connecting position adjusting method for optical connector connecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform initial address setting work simply in a short time by detecting the position of a core side connector by a position detecting sensor after moving a master side connector into a temporary connecting position based on the design storage value, and correcting the design storage value with this detection value. CONSTITUTION:A movable stage 3 is driven to move a core side connector 4 into a temporary connecting position based on the design storage value, and then the position of the core side connector 4 is detected by a sensor image receiver 12 so as to correct the design storage value into the actual connecting position with this detection value. A series of initial address setting work of the core side connector 4 and a master side connector 6 can be thereby performed automatically. The initial address setting work can be thus performed simply in a short time while keeping high accuracy.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention is mainly used for an optical line monitoring system that monitors optical fiber lines constituting an optical communication line network and detects abnormalities therein. The present invention relates to a method for adjusting the coupling position of an optical connector coupling device that selectively optically connects a large number of optical fiber core wires to a single test device.

[Conventional technology]

In an optical line monitoring system, a line selector consisting of a selector body (coupling device body) and a moving stage is used as an optical connector coupling device to optically couple a large number of optical fiber cores to a single test device. The selector main body is provided with a large number of core wire side connectors in a matrix shape that are branched and connected to a large number of optical fiber core wires, and the movement stage is provided with a single master side connector that is connected to a test device. Also,
The selector body is provided with a reference point (origin) for positioning the master side connector with respect to the core wire side connector, and based on the amount of movement in the x-y-z axis directions from this preset reference point. , the master side connector can be selectively coupled to a large number of core H side connectors.

Incidentally, the movement in the three axial directions is adjusted by a computer and a positioning controller for the movement stage to which the master side connector is attached. Therefore, it is necessary to store the initial positioning (initial address setting) of the reference point and both connectors in the three-axis directions, that is, the absolute amount of movement in the three-axis directions from the origin, in a memory such as a controller.

Conventionally, this adjustment work (initial address setting) was performed by inputting light from either one end of the core wire side connector or the master side connector, monitoring the tip power at the other end, and then moving the stage to the master side connector. This is done by making small movements in three axial directions. In other words, the moving stage is driven via the positioning controller based on the designed joint position data of the bridges in the X, Y, and Z axis directions input into the computer in advance, and the moving stage is driven until the optical power reaches the maximum value. The optimal coupling position of the master side connector is adjusted by adjusting the movement in three axial directions.

[Invention or problem to be solved]

In this conventional connection position adjustment (initial address setting) method, the adjustment work is performed while moving the moving stage minutely, making the adjustment work for each connector extremely complicated and time-consuming. Ta. In particular, when a core wire side connector is added, there is a problem in that the existing optical line monitoring system must be stopped for a long time because the moving stage is used to set the initial address of the added side.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a method for adjusting the coupling position of an optical connector coupling device, which allows initial positioning of the coupling position of each connector to be performed easily and in a short time.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is fixed to a moving stage at one of a number of core side connectors which are two-dimensionally arranged in a coupling device main body and connected to a number of optical fiber cores constituting an optical fiber line. In the method for adjusting the coupling position of an optical connector coupling device that selectively couples a single master-side connector that has been
After moving to a temporary connection position based on a designed stored value, the position of the core wire side connector is optically detected by a position detection sensor, and the designed stored value is corrected using this detected value.

In this case, the position calibration sensor detects the position of the core-side connector by recognizing the shape of the end surface of the core-side connector, and also detects the position of the core-side connector by receiving the light incident on the core-side connector. It is preferable to detect the position of the core wire side connector by detecting the position and further recognizing the position of a positioning pin provided near the core wire side connector.

[Effect]

The moving stage is driven to move the core wire connector to a temporary bonding position based on the design storage value, and in this state, the position of the core wire connector is detected by the position detection sensor. Then, the designed stored value is corrected using this detected value. By correcting the designed storage value in this way, initial address setting is performed to correct the storage value from the designed temporary connection position to the actual connection position. Further, since the position of the core wire side connector is determined optically by a position detection sensor, the positioning (initial address setting) of the joining position of the core wire side connector and the master side connector is automatically performed.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, based on FIGS. 1 to 3, a case will be described in which the method for adjusting the coupling position of an optical connector coupling device of the present invention is applied to a line selector that is a first connector coupling device. FIG. 1 is an apparatus for explaining the bonding position adjusting method of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is the bonding position adjusting method of the second embodiment, and FIG. 3 is the bonding position adjusting method of the third embodiment. It shows.

As shown in FIG. 1, this line selector consists of a selector body 2 and a moving stage 3. The selector main body 2 is equipped with a large number of core wire side connectors 4 connected in a matrix form from a large number of optical fiber core wires, and the moving stage 3 is equipped with an optical pulse tester (OTD) which is a testing device.
A single master side connector 6 connected to R) 5 is provided. Four connector units 7.7, 7.7 are incorporated into the selector body 2 of this line selector 1.
Furthermore, it is constructed so that two more silk connector units 7.7 can be added. That is, even if the number of subscribers increases in the future, it is possible to cope with the increase in the number of subscribers by adding more connector units 7. Further, a reference point 8 is provided beside the first connector unit 7 to determine the joining position of the core wire side connector 4 and the master side connector 6.

A rail 9 is formed on the upper edge of the selector body 2, and a moving stage 3 is attached to this rail 9. A master side connector 6 fixed to a holding part 10 is attached to this moving stage 3. The master side connector 6 is moved in the X-Y-Z axis directions together with the moving stage 3 by a drive device (not shown), and is automatically optically coupled to the core wire side connector 4 of the connector unit 7 one after another. There is. On this occasion,
The drive device is controlled by a positioning controller 11,
Accurate positioning is possible with respect to the master side connector 6 or the core wire side connector 4 via the moving stage 3.

This positioning is performed by the holding part 10 of the moving stage 3.
This is performed by a position detection sensor having a sensor image receiving section 12 fixed to the side surface of the sensor. That is, this sensor image receiving section 1
An image fiber 13 with a light guide is connected to the image fiber 13 with a light guide, and a light guide portion 13a of the image fiber 13 with a light guide is connected to an illumination light source 14 that emits light for illuminating an object. On the other hand, the image fiber part 13 of the image fiber 13 with a light guide
A CCD camera 15 that receives light from an object is connected to b, so that photoelectric conversion can be performed here.

Furthermore, a computer 16 is connected to this CCD camera 15, which processes the images captured by the CCD camera 15.
The computer 16 is connected to the memory lla of the positioning controller 11.

That is, the sensor image receiving section 12 includes a light guide section 13.
The tip of a and the tip of the image fiber section 13b are fixed, and illumination light is irradiated from the light guide section 13a toward the coupling end surface of the target object, the core wire side connector 4, and the image fiber section 13b The image (reflected light) from the coupling end face of the core wire side connector 4 is captured.

The CCD camera 15 converts the image of the coupled end surface of the core-side connector 4 transmitted through the image fiber 13 with a light guide into an electrical signal and sends it to the computer 16 . Based on this signal, the computer 16 connects the core wire side connector 4.
Performs arithmetic processing to find the center position of the bonded end surface. The center position of the joint end surface of the core wire side connector 4, which is the result of the arithmetic processing, is sent to the memory 1.1a of the positioning controller 1 and stored therein. Then, the positioning controller 11 controls the movement of the moving stage 3 based on this stored value. Note that this memory value stores the designed temporary bonding position (position from reference point 8) before the initial address is set, and this temporary bonding position is rewritten to the actual bonding position by the initial address setting. It has become.

Here, the procedure for initial address setting will be described, taking as an example a case where the connector unit 7 is newly added and only the positioning of the core wire side connector 4 is performed.

In this case, the relative positions of the sensor image receiving section 12 and the reference point 8, and the master side connector 6 are determined in advance with high precision.
This is taken into account when the computer 16 makes calculations. In addition, the memory lla of the positioning controller 11
The temporary positioning value (design value) of the core wire side connector 4 calculated in advance is stored in the movable stage 3.
movement is automatically controlled according to this positioning value.

That is, during positioning, the movable stage 3 is moved in accordance with this provisional positioning value prior to positioning, and the sensor image receiving section 12 is accessed one after another by the additional core wire side connectors 4.

To explain this access state in detail, the desired coupling end surface of the core wire side connector 4 reflected in the illumination light from the illumination light source 14 is captured as an image by the sensor image receiving section 12, and the CC
It is transmitted to the D camera 15. In this case, the sensor image receiving section 1
The optical system at the tip of the image fiber section 13b of No. 2 has a field of view that can capture a certain range including the bonding end surface of the core connector 4. In other words, the optical system at the tip of the image fiber section 13b of No. Considering the error between the positioning value and the true positioning value, the coupling end surface of the core wire side connector 4 can be captured within the field of view even when the error is at its maximum.

The image of the joint end surface of the core wire side connector 4 transmitted to the CCD camera 15 is converted into an electrical signal and sent to the computer 16.
sent to. Then, the computer 16 performs arithmetic processing to determine the shape of the coupling end surface of the core side connector 4, that is, the center of the core portion of each optical fiber whose coupling end is fixed to the V-groove of the holder. In this case, for example, the edge of the V-groove is determined by image processing, taking advantage of the fact that the end face of the optical fiber (glass) and the adhesive part have lower reflectance than the V-groove part (silicon) of the holder. , the relationship between this edge and the center of each optical fiber is calculated. The above is for multi-core connectors, or for single-core connectors,
Since the coupling end face is circular and the core of the fiber is located at the center position, the center of the circular end face is determined. Furthermore, the computer 16 takes into consideration this calculated value, the relative position of the sensor image receptor 12 from the master side connector 6, and the position of the reference point 8 of the moving stage 3 at that time, and calculates the added core wire side connector 4. The connection position of the master side connector 6 is determined (initial address setting),
It is stored in the memory lla of the positioning controller 11.

Initial address setting is performed by automatically performing the above procedure for all core wire side connectors 4 added as connector units.

As described above, after driving the moving stage 3 to move the core wire side connector 4 to the temporary connection position based on the design memorized value, the sensor image receptor 12 detects the position of the core wire side connector 4, and this detection Since the design memory value is corrected to the actual bonding position using the value, a series of initial address setting operations for the core wire side connector 4 and the master side connector 6 are automatically performed. Therefore, the initial address setting work can be performed easily and in a short time while maintaining high accuracy, and it is possible to avoid problems that would cause the optical line monitoring system, which maintains a 24-hour monitoring state, to stop functioning for a long time. .

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and in this embodiment,
This is an example using a multi-core connector.

In this embodiment, light is introduced from one end of an arbitrary optical fiber connected to the core side connector 4, and is emitted from the end face of the connector.
7, the bonding position can be detected in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

That is, any one optical fiber connected to the core connector 4 has a light source 18 that inputs light during positioning work.
is connected to the connector, and this light source 18
The light is emitted from the joint end of the core wire side connector 4.

In response to this, the moving stage 3 is moved to the designed position, and the position sensor 17 provided thereon receives this light. The position sensor 17 incorporates an objective lens facing the core wire side connector 4 and a light receiving element connected thereto, and the light receiving element photoelectrically converts a spot of light incident through the objective lens. The detected photocurrent signal is processed by a subsequent data processing circuit to determine its position, and after A/D conversion, an electrical signal indicating the determined position is sent to the computer 16.
It is now sent to

Since the positional relationship between the position sensor 17 and the master side connector 6 has been determined in advance with high accuracy, it is necessary to add the position sensor 17 in consideration of the position of the reference point 8 of the moving stage 3 at that time, as in the first embodiment. The positioning (initial address setting) of the joining position of the core wire side connector 4 and the master side connector 6 is automatically performed.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, and in this embodiment,
A metal guide pin 20 is provided in advance on the core wire side connector 4, and this guide pin 20 is detected by a proximity sensor 21, which is a position detection sensor, to detect the coupling position in the same manner as in the first embodiment. It has become.

That is, the proximity sensor 21 is moved by the moving stage 3 to a position almost facing the guide bin 20, and is further minutely moved around the guide bin 20 by the moving stage 3 in a matrix shape.

The proximity sensor 21 detects the guide pin 2 during this minute movement.
When it comes within a predetermined distance from the tip, it becomes ON. Through this sensing, the ON state is detected in a circular shape,
This is sent to the computer 16 via the amplifier 22, and the computer 16 performs arithmetic processing to determine the center of the circle, that is, the position facing the center of the guide bin 20. Note that the center of the guide bin 20 and the position of each core-side connector 4, as well as the position of the proximity sensor 21 and each master-side connector 6, are determined in advance with high accuracy.

Therefore, similarly to both embodiments described above, the positioning (initial address setting) of the joining position of the added core wire side connector 4 and the master side connector 6 is automatically performed.

Next, an optical line monitoring system using these line selectors 1 will be explained with reference to FIG.

This optical line monitoring system monitors the optical fiber line 31 that constructs the optical communication line network 24 hours a day and detects abnormalities therein. 5 and each optical fiber core line 33 of the optical fiber line 31 connected to the exchanger 32, a line selector 1 that selectively couples (switches) the optical fiber line 33 of the optical fiber line 31 connected to the exchanger 32, and a computer that controls the coupling of the optical pulse tester 5 and the line selector 1]
6 and a positioning controller 11.

The optical pulse tester 5 inputs a monitor light into each optical fiber core wire 33 via an optical coupler 34, and when this monitor light propagates inside the optical fiber core wire 33 while being attenuated, it detects light that is generated due to its Ray scattering characteristics. The backscattered light returning in the direction opposite to the incident direction is detected, and the waveform of the detected light is compared with a reference waveform to detect an abnormal location. The line selector 1 automatically switches the optical pulse tester 5 and each optical fiber core wire 33 one after another.

The connection between each core wire side connector 4 and the master side connector 6 is as follows.
A number is taught to the computer 16 in advance, and normally all the optical fiber core wires 33 and the optical pulse tester 5 are sequentially and repeatedly brought into a coupled state according to a predetermined monitoring program, so that the entire optical fiber line 31 is always in a monitoring system. It has become. In addition, some optical fiber core wires 3
If an abnormality occurs in the optical fiber tester 3, the optical fiber core wire 33 is connected to the optical pulse tester 5 by an interrupt via the computer 16 according to instructions from the exchanger 32, and the location where the abnormality occurs can be found. ing.

The joining position (initial address value) of each core wire side connector 4 and master side connector 6 in the line selector 1 is stored in advance in the positioning controller 11, and when the number 4 of the core wire side connector is specified from the computer 16, The positioning controller 11 drives a drive device (not shown) for the movable stage 3 to move the movable stage 3 relative to the fixed selector body 2 so that the core wire side connector 4 and the master side connector 6 can be optically coupled accurately. It has become.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, after the master side connector is moved to the temporary connection position based on the design memorized value, the position of the core wire side connector is detected by the position detection sensor, and this detected value is used as the design value. Since the stored value is corrected, it is possible to easily and quickly set the initial address.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a line selector to which the first embodiment of the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of main parts of the line selector to which the second embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a line selector to which the second embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of main parts of a line selector to which the third embodiment is applied, and a system diagram of an optical path monitoring system using these line selectors. 1...Line selector, 2...Selector body, 3.
...Moving stage, 4...Core wire side connector, 5...
Optical pulse testing machine, 6...Master side connector, 7...Connector unit, 8...Reference point, 11...Positioning controller, lla...Memory, 12...Sensor image receiving section, 13.With light guide Image fiber, 14.
... Light source for illumination, 15. CCD camera, 16... Computer, 17... Position sensor, 18...
Light source, 1... Theta processing circuit, 20... Guide pin,
21... Proximity sensor, 22... Amplifier.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. One of the many core side connectors that are two-dimensionally arranged in the coupling device main body and connected to the many optical fiber cores constituting the optical fiber line, is fixed to a moving stage. In the coupling position adjustment method of an optical connector coupling device that selectively couples a single master side connector, the moving stage is equipped with a position detection sensor, and the moving stage moves the master side connector according to the design. After moving it to a temporary connection position based on the stored value, the position of the core wire side connector is optically detected by the position detection sensor, and the design stored value is corrected using this detected value. A method for adjusting the coupling position of an optical connector coupling device. 2. The method for adjusting the coupling position of an optical connector coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the position detection sensor detects the position of the core-side connector by recognizing the shape of the end face of the core-side connector. . 3. The method for adjusting the coupling position of an optical connector coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the position detection sensor detects the position of the core-side connector by receiving light emitted from the core-side connector. . 4. The optical connector coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the position detection sensor detects the position of the core wire side connector by recognizing the position of a positioning pin provided near the core wire side connector. How to adjust the bond position.