NewNew Products
Products

S177A Direct Core-Monitoring Fusion Splicer

1.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Since the work involved in making FTTH connections isperformed outdoors, it is desirable that the equipmentused should be compact and lightweight; splicers are no
exception from this. Splicers of the direct core-monitoringtype make it possible to achieve low-loss splices, andsince they effect fiber core alignment by observation of
the core itself, they must incorporate a focusing mechanism and a core aligning mechanism, resulting in an
unavoidable tendency for the unit to be larger and heavier. In the S177A direct core-monitoring fusion splicer
developed here, the core aligning mechanism thatachieves low-loss splices effects a reduction of 40% in
weight and size (Figure 1). This has resulted in a splicer
that can be used seamlessly from FTTH and trunk line
laying to factory use.

OldNew
CCD board(analog signal output)

CMOS board(digital signal output)

Analog/digitalconversion board

Main calculation board(Fiber position identification
followed by driving of corealigning motor)

Main calculation board(Fiber position identificationfollowed by driving of corealigning motor)

Digital/analog
conversion board

LCD monitor board

Figure 2

Figure 1

2.

LCD monitor board

Circuit board trimming by signal digitalization.

Appearance of S177A.

FEATURES

2.1 Compact, Lightweight Body
The use of magnesium alloy construction, a dramaticallysmaller and lighter alignment structure, and circuit board
trimming through full digitalization of fiber image processing (Figure 2), have made it possible to achieve a 40%
reduction in size and weight compared to earlier types.
And not only is it smaller; the adoption of a T-shaped form
means that it also offers greater convenience in hand-portability (Figure 3).
2.2 Adoption of a Graphical User Interface
The use of a GUI with a large number of icons makes for
an intuitive and easily understood operating display

Figure 3

Ease of portability.

(Figure 4). A display magnification ratio of 600 during fiber
splicing is twice as great as formerly, permitting moredetailed observation of the fiber. And the adoption of asemipermeable LCD monitor screen, like those used incell phones, greatly improves image recognition underdirect sunlight.

Furukawa Review, No. 29

200629

S177A Direct Core-Monitoring Fusion Splicer

Figure 4

Figure 6

New GUI.

2.3 High-speed Operation
By increasing the operating speed of the aligning motor, it
has been possible to achieve fiber splicing times of about
9 sec. The heating time of the heat-shrinking sleeve thatreinforces the splice has also been reduced to 37 sec(Furukawa Electric's S922 sleeve) by changing the configuration of the heater from flat to U-shaped (Figure 5). This
has resulted in reducing total operating time to approximately one-half that of current types.

storage function has also been added, allowing a record
to be kept of abnormalities involving the fiber or splice.

3.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

The main specifications of the S177A direct core-monitoring fusion splicer are shown in Table 1.
Table 1

S177A product specifications.

Item
Types of fiber

Figure 5

Heater configuration.

2.4

Operates on both Self-Contained Batteries andAC Line
Assuming the units will be primarily used outdoors, wehave provided a self-contained rechargeable battery. An
external AC supply can be easily connected using an AC
adapter. If the battery charge is low while the AC adapter
is connected, the battery recharges automatically, so that
there is no need to replace batteries, and splicing andheat reinforcing can be done while recharging is in process. From full charge the battery delivers 70 splicing/
reinforcing operations, and this can be increased to 370
operations with the use of a heavy-duty external battery.
2.5 Maintenance Guide and Image Capture Function
A high-brilliance monitor and increased built-in memory
capacity has made it possible to display photographic
images. This feature has been used to provide illustrated
explanations of routine maintenance procedures for easier understanding (Figure 6). A fiber image capture andPhotographic display.

Specification
Single-core SM/MM/DS/NZDS, etc.

Fiber sheath diameter

0.1 - 1.0 mm

Fiber clad diameter

0.08 - 0.15 mm

Fiber core diameter

SMMM
DSSpecial

Splicing loss

SM Ave. 0.02 dB
MM Ave. 0.01 dB
DS Ave. 0.04 dB

Splicing time

9 sec (approximate)Heat-reinforcing sleeve
length20/25/35/40/60 mm

Heat-reinforcing times

60-mm Approximately 51 sec
40-mm Approximately 37 sec
20-mm Approximately 35 sec

Number of programs

Data items stored

8 - 11 µm
50, 62.5 µm
8 µm
4 - 15 µm

Splicing
Heat-reinforcing
Splicing
Discharge detection
Fiber images

150
122000100
12Input/output

Power supply EIAJ RC-5302A compatible.
Voltage sectors: 5Data
USB 1.1 (Type B)

Power supply

DC 11 - 17 V
AC 85 - 264 V (using S957)

Dimensions

130(W) x 260(D) x 138(H) mm

Weight of main unit

2.2 kg (including built-in battery)

For more information, please contact:
Interconnectivity Equipment Dept.,
Telecommunications Co.
TEL: +81-3-3286-3455
FAX: +81-3-3286-3708

Furukawa Review, No. 29

200630