One or more embodiments are directed to optical test instruments, such as fiber optic inspection scopes and optical power meters, for testing optical communication links, such as fiber optic connectors. The optical test instruments include a single test port that is able to operate in two modes of operation. In a first mode of operation, the optical test instrument is configured to provide an image of the endface of a fiber optic connector under test. In a second mode of operation, the optical test instrument is configured to measure power or power loss in an optical fiber under test. In that regard, the fiber optic connector only has to be coupled to a single port of an optical test instrument for a visual inspection of an endface of a fiber optic connector and a power test of the optical fiber under test.

An electronically-managed optical fiber connection system is provided. A smart ferrule carrier comprises a plurality of ferrule bays configured to accept a tagged optical ferrule assembly. Each tagged optical ferrule assembly comprises an identification (ID) tag storing identification information for the optical ferrule assembly. A smart carrier board comprising a carrier controller is configured to read and/or write information to/from the ID tag of each tagged optical ferrule assembly. A smart carrier adapter is configured to accept a plurality of smart ferrule carriers, the smart carrier adapter including an adapter controller system. The adapter controller system includes an adapter controller configured to communicate with the carrier controller of each installed smart ferrule carrier and a system controller.

There is provided an optical-fiber connector endface inspection microscope system for inspecting an endface of an optical-fiber connector. It comprises one or more image detector for capturing at least one image of the endface to be inspected; an objective lens system comprising a focusing lens for adjusting a focus of the objective lens system on the image detector and a fixed relay lens; a main housing structure enclosing the image detector and the focusing lens; and at least one interchangeable optical head releasably connectable to the main housing structure and enclosing the fixed relay lens, wherein the optical head is releasably connectable to an adapter tip for interfacing with the optical-fiber connector to be inspected.

There are provided systems and methods for inspecting an endface of an optical-fiber connector using an optical-fiber connector endface inspection microscope system comprising one or more image detectors for capturing images over the whole endface to be inspected. An illumination system comprises two or more illumination sources disposed so as to illuminate respective regions over the connector endface and to prevent dark zones in the capture images. The illumination sources are activated in sequence, such that adjacent sources are never activated at the same time, and corresponding images captured in sequence, i.e., one after the other. In this case, it is also possible to activate the illumination sources in sequence, such that adjacent sources are never activated at the same time. Activating the illumination sources separately eliminates the illumination overlap and so eliminates the double image artifact. This allows for a more uniformly lit image with less dark spots.

A loop back connector and methods for testing lines in a fiber optic network are disclosed. The loop back connector includes a ferrule having an interface side constructed for optical connection to a multifiber optical cable. The loop back connector also includes first and second optical loop back paths, each having first and second terminal ends positioned at the interface side. The terminal ends of each loop back path are adapted to be aligned to fibers in the multifiber optical cable. The method includes injecting a signal on a first optical path at a first location, looping back the signal at a second location onto a second optical path, and receiving the signal on the second optical path at the first location.

An optical power detection system comprises a sensor and a reader. The sensor is configured to detect light in the cladding of an optical fiber. The sensor is positioned both within a ferrule of the optical fiber and proximate the cladding. The sensor is additionally configured to produce an output signal representative of the detected light. The reader is electrically coupled to the sensor and is configured to receive the sensor output signal. The reader is additionally configured to operation on the output signal to produce a corresponding visual and/or audible indication of the optical power in the optical fiber.

A method and system for reading a marker embedded in a fiber optic connector, and a connector configured to be read by the method and system. The connector includes an outer assembly and a marker that is overlaid by the outer assembly. To read the marker, the connector is illuminated with an illuminating light in a first spectral band, and an image is formed using the light within the first spectral band that is reflected from the fiber optic connector. The reflected light includes at least a portion of the illuminating light which was transmitted through the outer assembly and reflected back toward a reader by the marker. Data contained in the marker is then extracted from the image.

An apparatus includes a plurality of connector track elements, each extending substantially perpendicularly from a coupling plane, wherein a particular connector track element of the plurality of connector track elements includes a distribution of at least two magnets adjacent unattached end thereof, a polarity of the magnets on the particular connector track element being selected to provide magnetic repulsion as to at least one adjacent connector track element.

There are provided techniques for characterizing and testing a cable routing connection configuration connection arrangement comprising a plurality of optical fiber links connected between at least a first connection device at a first end and a second multi-fiber connection device at a second end. Test light is injected into one or more of the optical fiber links via corresponding optical fiber ports of the first connection device. At least one image of the second multi-fiber connection device is captured. Test light exiting the optical fiber link(s) through optical fiber port(s) of the second multi-fiber connection device is imaged as light spot(s) in the captured image. Positions on the second multi-fiber connection device that corresponds to the optical fiber port(s) are determined based on a pattern of the light spot(s) in the captured image. In some implementations, the provided techniques allow detection or verification of cable routing connection configurations at multi-fiber distribution panels.

Disclosed is a polarization maintaining connector. The PM connector includes an outer frame, a ferrule structure and an adjustment member. The outer frame forms a main structure of the PM connector. The ferrule structure is provided with a channel for a fiber core to pass through. The ferrule structure is at least partially disposed inside the outer frame and forms a slidable and rotatable connection with the outer frame. The adjustment member forms an axially slidable connection with the ferrule structure and is circumferentially non-rotatable relative to the ferrule structure. The adjustment member is relatively rotatable to the outer frame and has a rotating state and a holding state. The adjustment member keeps relatively rotatable to the outer frame when in the rotating state and keeps relatively secured to the outer frame when in the holding state.