TABLE OF CONTENTS A wide variety of optical fiber connectors are available for numerous different applications. Their uses range from simple single-channel fiber-to-fiber connectors in a benign location to rugged multichannel connectors used under the ocean or for harsh military field environments. Here and in Sec. 8.6 we will concentrate on connectors used within a telecommunication or data communication facility.
Some principal requirements of good connector design are as follows:
Coupling loss. The connector assembly must maintain stringent alignment tolerances to ensure low mating losses. The losses should be around 2 to 5 percent (0.1 to 0.2 dB) and must not change significantly during operation and after numerous connects and disconnects.
Interchangeability. Connectors of the same type must be compatible from one manufacturer to another.
Ease of assembly. A service technician should be able to install the connector in a field environment, that is, in a location other than the connector attachment factory.
Low environmental sensitivity. Conditions such as temperature, dust, and moisture should have a small effect on connector loss variations.
Low cost and reliable construction. The connector must have a precision suitable to the application, but it must be reliable and its cost must not be a major factor in the system.
Ease of connection. Except for certain unique applications, one should be able to mate and disconnect the connector simply and by hand.
Connectors are available in designs...
