OCM Smart Patchcords™ and Wireless Fibers™

AMS item number: SW11956

Power & Wavelength Monitoring; Local or Remote Monitoring via RS232, USB, Wireless; 1450-1650,... more

Product information "OCM Smart Patchcords™ and Wireless Fibers™"

Power & Wavelength Monitoring; Local or Remote Monitoring via RS232, USB, Wireless; 1450-1650, 1280-1440 nm; Insertion Loss <0.2 dB; Return Loss >70 dB; Standard Tap Ratio 2% ±0.5%

OZ Optics’ OCM series of Smart Patchcords™ utilize a novel technology to monitor the properties of optical signals traveling through fibers. This includes power monitoring, wavelength sensing, and polarization measurement. The technology allows sensors to be integrated into networks and test equipment to provide real-time remote monitoring without interrupting the optical signal. Applications include channel monitoring in optical networks, polarization stabilization, and environmental sensing.

Using a novel technique to tap signals for measurements, the monitors are very compact, and resemble a patch cable in construction. Competing monitoring systems typically use fused couplers to tap a fixed amount of light into another fiber and on to a measuring module. This method is bulky and must be done using discrete components. In contrast, OZ Optics’ technique directs a controlled amount of light from the fiber core to the surface where it can be directly monitored. This is all done without bending, shaping, or otherwise harming the fiber.

As a result, sensors can be directly incorporated into optical assemblies, without affecting functionality. The manufacturing process allows full automation, sharply reducing costs. Sensors can be made into standard single mode (SM) fibers, polarization maintaining (PM) fibers, or specialty fibers, for any design wavelength. The monitor electronics can be configured to give either an analog electrical output or a digital output via an RS-232 or USB port.

Multiple sensor modules can be integrated into a single patch cable, allowing different properties to be measured simultaneously. The sensors are directional in nature, measuring light traveling in one direction through the fiber, but not in the reverse direction. This directionality is ideal for monitoring signals in one direction independently of signals traveling along the other direction. Bi-directional versions can be provided on request.

We welcome custom applications and new ideas. Contact AMS Technologies for additional information.

The latest member of the OCM Smart Patchcord™ family is the Wireless Fiber™. This is a Smart Patchcord with a built-in miniature radio transceiver. This allows the Smart Patchcord to communicate with a host computer, which can be a laptop, PDA, or even a smartphone. This makes it possible in many instances for a technician to identify a problem fiber before he even enters a building, resulting in a tremendous reduction in troubleshooting time. Several versions of the wireless link are offered, with ranges from 10 m to over 1 km. When a smartphone is used, measurements can be instantly sent to a central location for logging, or for comparison with previous measurements to monitor degradation of a link. By allowing easy monitoring of optical signal power levels without disrupting the signal, unnecessary maintenance and down time can be virtually eliminated.

Key Features:

Local or Remote Monitoring via RS232, USB, or Wireless Communication
Inexpensive, Miniature Package
Low Insertion Loss (IL): <0.2 dB
Low Return Loss (RL): >70 dB (Excluding Connectors)
High Power Handling
Versions for Wavelengths From 600 nm to 1700 nm Available
Polarization Maintaining (PM) and Specialty Fiber Versions Available
Operating Wavelength: 1450 nm to 1650 nm, or 1280 nm to 1440 nm Standard
Tap Ratio: 2% ±0.5% Standard
Tap Efficiency: >60%
Directionality: Better than -35 dB
Polarization Dependent Loss (PDL): <0.1 dB (Over the Specified Wavelength Range)
Polarization Dependent Response: <0.2 dB (Over the Specified Wavelength Range)
Wavelength Dependent Response: ±0.25 dB (Over the Specified Wavelength Range)
Polarization Extinction Ratio (PER): >20 dB (>30 dB PER Available on Request)
Power Handling: >1 W
Communications Interface: RS232, USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee
Data Transfer Rate Smart Patchcord (RS232 & USB): >8 Readings/s
Data Transfer Rate Wireless Fiber™: >25 Nodes/s, Higher Rates Possible
Power Requirements: Smart Patchcords Can Be Powered by the Communications Link, Smart Patchcord or Wireless Fiber™: External DC Power Supply 5 V to 24 V, Battery Operation Possible
Operating Temperature Range: 0°C to +60°C

Applications: Network and Channel Monitoring in FTTH Networks; Channel Balancing for Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) Systems; Dynamic Optical Amplifier Gain Monitoring; Power Monitoring; Optical Power Control Devices; Polarization Stabilization; Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD) Compensation; Real Time In-line Test and Measurement; Fiber Optic Sensors