Arrayed Fiberoptics receives U.S. patent for non-contact fiber-optic connector
Arrayed Fibreoptics Corp. says it has received U.S. Patent No. 10,983,288 for its non-contact fiber-optic connector technology. As the name implies, the fiber connector does not require physical contact of the fiber endface; the endface is coated with an anti-reflection coating.
The now patented non-contact technology creates what the company says has been called a “dust-proof connector.” In addition to avoiding performance degradation from dust particles, the approach also provides other performance benefits, says Arrayed Fibreoptics. For example, mating life is extended by 20X and insertion loss repeatability improves 10X, according to the company. The technology received a 4.5 rating in 2015 Lightwave Innovation Reviews and its MPO implementation earned a 4.0 rating in 2017 (see "Arrayed Fiber Optics Non-Contact Optical Fiber Connector" and "Arrayed Fiberoptics Non-Contact MPO Fiber Connector").
The company has released products based on the technology (see, for example, “Arrayed Fiberoptics non-contact MPO and single-fiber optical connectors now available”) which it says are now in wide use. Arrayed Fibreoptics says “at least two of the largest optical fiber communication system companies,” are using the connector technology, with optical backplanes a popular application. The technology also has seen extensive use as part of optical connector test cables for optical fiber transceivers. Looking forward, Arrayed Fibreoptics believes non-contact fiber-optic connectors also will find use within co-packaged optics. Meanwhile, Huawei has suggested that the IEC investigate the development of standards for such connectors, the company adds.
For related articles, visit the Optical Technologies Topic Center.
For more information on fiber-optic connectors and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.
To stay abreast of optical communications technology, subscribe to Lightwave’s Enabling Technologies Newsletter.
Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.