THREE-DIMENSIONAL INSPECTION OF OPTICAL COMMUNICATION LINKS

摘要

One or more embodiments are directed to camera probes and methods for visually inspecting an endface of an optical communication link, such as a fiber optic cable. Generally described, the camera probes and methods are directed to projecting light to an endface of the optical communication link from a first direction and at a first angle of incidence and projecting light to the endface at a second direction and at a second angle of incidence. A defect on the endface casts a first shadow when the light is projected in the first direction and a second shadow when the light is projected in the second direction. At least one of the first and second shadows is analyzed to determine its length. Using the length of the shadow and the known angle of incidence at which the light is projected, a height or depth of the defect is determined.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
obtaining a plurality of images of an endface of an optical communication link, each of the plurality of images being obtained while light is projected at the endface from different directions of each other, and at least one of the images including a shadow cast by a defect on the endface; comparing the plurality of images to identify the shadow; determining a dimension of the shadow; and determining a height or depth of the defect based at least in part on the determined dimension of the shadow and the direction at which the light was projected to the endface in the image including the shadow.