Optical connectors: purpose, types, characteristics of connectors

To date, more than 70 types of connectors for various purposes for fiber-optic communication have been developed. The most common are balanced optical connectors with a plug-type design. To connect such connectors use special optical adapters. Thanks to these devices, the optical connectors to be connected can be either one or several types.

Description of the optical connector design

Plug-in optical connectors look like this: the fiber is fixed in a special precision ferrule tip, which is inserted into the insertion-centralizer. Fastening of connectors in the adapter can be either bayonet type, or threaded or lock. In some types of equipment, it is required to connect duplex pairs of optical fibers, specifically for this purpose, optical duplex connectors have been developed. Initially, the implementation of such devices was achieved at the expense of a symmetrical plastic clamp containing nests into which a pair of connectors were inserted, after which they were fixed by a latch. Most suited for this connector with a square case. However, over time, there was a need to develop optical duplex connectors in a single package.

The next stage in the development of the production of fiber optic connectors was the creation of special tape-type connectors in a single buffer coating. Nevertheless, today this kind is not very popular because of the high complexity of obtaining a high-quality joint, even with the welding method. Currently, the main consumers of these connectors are Japan and the United States.

Main technical characteristics

The main parameters of optical connectors are: throughput, long-term stability and stability to external conditions. The throughput is affected by the reverse reflection and insertion loss. These characteristics depend on the transverse displacement of the axes, as well as the angle between them. And also from the Fresnel reflection of the signal at the interface between the separation of two media. The maximum loss that the connector makes is optical attenuation. This characteristic affects the size of the total losses in this path. This parameter directly depends on the transverse deviation (misalignment) of the cores of the connected optical fibers.

The next important parameter is the reverse reflection. The main source influencing this characteristic is the boundary between the separation of two media (air and fiber). This component can reach significant values. Moreover, the reverse reflection can be changeable in time, that is, under the influence of external factors, it eventually can disrupt the performance of the entire system.

Optical audio cable

Fiber-optic cables are gaining popularity in the device of audio systems . The main advantage of such wires is the absence of interference, which means that the signal remains clean and clear, despite the length of such an extension. Fiber-optic cables have proved to be reliable work in difficult electromagnetic conditions, where copper wires were unable to cope with interference. In computer technology, the SPDIF (Sony-Philips Digital Interface) cable is especially popular - it is an interface for digital audio transmission. It transmits audio signals between devices without loss of quality, which inevitably occurs when using an analog method.