A Microprocessor Controlled System for Fusion Splicing of Optical Fibers

The demanding requirements, innovative design, and high performance of a sophisticated optical fiber splicer are described. The power supply is required to produce complex and highly controlled voltage/ current waveforms under the control of an integrated microprocessor. The same microprocessor is also used to manipulate optical fibers in three dimensions so as to produce a solid splice with low optical loss. The fusion splicer design utilizes voltage and current control of output power, stepper motors, D/A and A/D signal conversion, optical feedback, and an 8-bit microprocessor. The result is a fully automated fusion splicer that will energize/de-energize itself, align, and fuse the fibers for minimum optical loss. The unit can store the particular current/timing waveforms for up to 30 different splicing programs. Resultant splices, with an insertion loss of less than 0.1 dB and a very high repeatability, have been achieved.