Test systems that include a centering system for aligning an optical pulse launching device with a multi-mode fiber and methods of operating the same

摘要

A test system for a multi-mode fiber comprises a launching device that is configured to generate optical pulses and has a rest position. A centering system is operable to move the launching device in a circular motion having a center corresponding to the rest position and a diameter corresponding to a core diameter of the multi-mode fiber. The centering system is further operable to adjust a position of the multi-mode fiber relative to the launching device while the launching device is moving in the circle until an optical power coupled from the launching device into the multi-mode fiber is below a threshold. The centering system optically centers the launching device with the multi-mode fiber by fixing the position of the multi-mode fiber responsive to the optical power coupled from the launching device into the multi-mode fiber being below the threshold and returning the launching device to the rest position. In addition, the centering system can move the launching device in a circular motion to launch optical pulses into a multi-mode fiber to perform differential mode delay measurements, which may result in better screening of any circular inhomogeneity of the core of the multi-mode fiber.