Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method of aligning circular multi-core fibers, wherein the method utilized independent and individually selected cores to receive, transmit, and emit light from input devices. The present invention further relates to positioning the ends of a multi-core fiber in order to detect and determine the precise locations of individually selected core fibers.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   There are no cross-references to this application. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a method and/or tool for multi-core optical fiber alignment and more particularly to a method and/or tool for using light input into specific individual cores, to achieve precise alignment of a multi-core optical fiber cable. Relevant potential applications for this invention include the fabrication of optical fiber cable, and communication transmissions utilizing optical fiber cables as interfaces for coupling devices. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   As the performance of computer systems has accelerated, optical high density transmission devices have been utilized to replace electronic devices. The use of optical devices for transmitting and receiving provides greater bandwidth and thus allows great amounts of data to be transferred. 
   Multi-core cable may utilize a continuous molding process. The use of the multi-core fiber optic cable has improved image transmission and reduced bending loss. Because many individual cores are utilized collectively, the cross-sectional shape of the multi-core cable is circular, similar to the normal shape of a single core fiber. 
   In order to apply such a circular optical multi-core cable to a high density transmission device, such as an optical multi-core connector and/or multi-channel transceiver or device, the alignment of a core level is essential. The complexity involved in identifying and precisely aligning the individual positions of each core of a circular multi-core fiber cable is difficult and not easily obtained. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a method of aligning a multi-core fiber cable, hereinafter multi-core fiber. In an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the method provides aligning a multi-core fiber, the multi-core fiber being composed of a plurality of individual core fibers having a first and second end. 
   In a further aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises providing at least one light source to the first end of the multi-core fiber, wherein the at least one light source is applied to at least one of the plurality of individual core fibers. The at least one core fibers is independently identified and selected from the plurality of individual core fibers. 
   In a further aspect of an embodiment of the resent invention, the method provides detecting and determining an amount of light emitted and/or a light characteristic at the second end of the at least one core fiber. 
   In yet a further aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the method provides adjusting a position of the second end of the multi-core fiber; wherein, the at least one core fiber is position to increases the amount of light and/or light characteristic to be detected at the second end of the multi-core fiber. 
   Additional aspects, objectives, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary arrangement used to align a circular multi-core fiber, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary light emitting and receiving device, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3 , illustrates an overview of the alignment arrangement for a circular multi-core fiber, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3A , illustrates an alternative depiction of  FIG. 3  including the light emitting/receiving device of  FIG. 2  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4 , illustrates a depiction of the profile view of the light emitting and receiving device of  FIG. 2 , being implemented as a light transmission or receiving device utilizing a plurality of lens, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , there may be two light types of light input and receiving alignment structures. The first type of alignment structure is shown in  FIG. 1 , and has been labeled as light input device  140 A, the other has been depicted as device  140 B. Light input device  140 A allows the incident light from the input source to be aligned to first end of the multi-core fiber  120 . In this step each core position is aligned to the incident light structure. Since, the light input receiving device  140 A detects the whole amount of transmitted light the second end of the multi-core fiber  130  does not need to be aligned at this time. This makes it easier and more efficient to align the individual core input end to the light input device  140 A. 
   The second type of alignment structure is shown in  FIG. 1 , and has been labeled as light receiving device  150 B, similarly there is a corresponding light receiving structure depicted as device  150 A. Light receiving device B, allows the incident light transmitted from the input source to be aligned to the second end of the multi-core fiber  130 . More importantly with this type of alignment structure each core position is aligned to predetermined core positions that are fixed within the multi-core fiber. Stated differently, the light transmitted is restricted to positions where the same core positions are aligned on the light-input side of the multi-core fiber. Therefore, when using simultaneous and independent core positions within the multi-core fiber  130 , there is one to one correspondence. That is, based upon the input and light characteristic (for e.g. amount of lights, wavelengths, intensities, frequencies etc.) utilized on the input side of the fiber a corresponding output of the core position may be readily obtained. The detection of incident light received at the second end of the multi-core fiber  130  may be evaluated and a determination made, as to whether the emitted light has obtained a predetermined threshold value, in accordance with the characteristics of the input light source. Adjustments to the multi-core fiber are made by moving either one or both of the ends of the multi-core holding devices. The movement may be lateral or rotational, and the movement may be controlled by servos, mechanical and/or electrical motors, joysticks, computer and/or programmed controlled devices (not shown). The determination may then be repeated until the desire threshold value is obtained. Accordingly, a precise alignment of the independently identified and selected core position may be determined. 
   In one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 1  depicts that the multi-core fiber  130  has been inserted in the holding devices  110 . It further depicts that a light input device  140  having an alignment structure of type A  140 A may be utilized at the input end of the multi-core fiber  130 . The utilization of alignment structure type A, allows the aligning of the output end to occurred at a subsequent time. The light input device  140  or sources for this embodiment may be the same or different for each of the independently selected core fibers  120 . For example, in an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, three independent cores positions (asymmetrical) have been selected, and the input light devices or light sources are different for each of selected cores. By utilizing the alignment of light input device A and the movement (here rotating) of the holding device  110 , the selected core fibers  120  can be aligned to input light only at the predetermined core positions. Thus, the individually selected core fibers are now positioned so that the maximum amount of light may be obtained at the output (second) end of multi-core fiber  130 . The position of the input end of the multi core fiber may now be fixed, with respect to the holding device  110 . 
   By utilizing the light receiving device  150 B with the alignment structure of type B, at the receiving or second end of the multi-core fiber  130 , light emitted may only be detected at a predetermined core position that is fixed. This fixed position corresponds to where the maximum amount of light may be received, as fixed by the corresponding core positions on the light input side. Therefore, by utilizing the alignment of the light receiving device and the movement or rotation of the holding device  110  at the output end, the alignment of the selected core fibers may be detected where the maximum amount of light is received. This position of the output end of the receiving device  150 B may now be fixed. In an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, since different light sources were utilized on the input-end, one can uniquely identify the one to one correspondence of the individually selected core fibers on the input side to that of the selected core fibers on the output side. For example, the position of maximum light may be based on the difference between the light power intensities or other light characteristics, such as identifying the maximum amount of light due to ND filtering, or frequency analysis, or the use of photo sensors/detectors, and/or photo-sensitive cameras, thus obtaining the precise alignment for the selected cores fibers. 
     FIG. 2 , depicts another aspect of the embodiment of the invention, wherein a light emitting and receiving device on whose connection face of the core fiber to be aligned is mounted with a light source. This type of light emitting and receiving device may be utilized in the first aspects of the embodiment where the light emitting and receiving devices are comprised of LEDs. Thus, in a face directed at an optical core fiber to be aligned a light-input  140  C or light receiving device  150  C may be arranged at a predetermined location within the multi-core  130 . Alternatively, light emitting and reception devices (respectively  140 C or  150 C) may be utilized to replace, augment, or supplement either one or both of the light emitting and/or reception devices ( 140 A/B or  150 A/B) describe in the aspect of the embodiments with respect to  FIG. 1 . 
   Regarding  FIG. 3 , another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a method, tool and/or system for precisely aligning selected individual cores  120  within a multi-core fiber  130 . The alignment tool or system  100  may include an optical fiber holding devices  110 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The holding devices  110  may be moveable or rotated to assist in the alignment of the individual core fibers  120 . Each end of a multi-core fiber  130  that is to be aligned is inserted within the holding devices  110 . The configuration, movement, and control of the holding devices are known in the art and may be accomplished via various art recognized methods and means. 
   Affixed to the holding devices  110  are light input devices  140  at a first end, and/or light receiving devices  150  at the second end, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The light input devices  140  may be for example a singular type of light source, such as a laser, LDs (laser diodes), LEDs (light emitting diodes) etc.; or a plurality of different types of light sources. The light sources may have the same or different light properties and/or characteristics, such as intensity, wavelengths, and/or blinking frequencies. The light input device  140  may have alignment functions such as pins for engaging with optical fiber connectors such as a MT ferrule for fixing the multi-core fiber within a holding means  110 . The light input device  140  may also have a number of light incident structures for providing light selectively to predetermined individual cores  120 . The selection of the individual cores  120  may be asymmetrical or any arbitrarily selected number of cores regardless of their location. 
   The light receiving  140  and/or detecting device  150  may be disposed at the second end of the multi-core fiber. The light receiving or detecting device corresponding to the type and characteristics of the light input device applied to the first end of the multi-core fiber. For example, the light receiving device  150  may be composed of photo sensors/detectors, cameras, phone diodes (PDs) having light focusing lens or other light transmission device as depicted in  FIG. 3 . These light detecting devices have an alignment structure similar to those utilized in the light input device  140 , and the light receiving and detecting device  150  also has a number of alignment structures for receiving and/or detecting light from each individual core  120 . 
     FIG. 3 , depicts another embodiment of the multi-core alignment system, which utilizes the light emitting/input device  140 C in conjunction with the light input structure of device type B. It further utilizes the light receiving structure of type B along with the light receiving device  150 C. This arrangement may for example further utilize a light emitting source, for example such as the LEDs of  FIG. 2 . In a manner similar to that described in the embodiment with respect to  FIG. 1 , the light input device  140 C is precisely aligned to that of the alignment structure device  140  B. The two are then fixed in position by the input holding means  110 . Light receiving alignment structure  150  B and light receiving device  150 C may then be then adjusted, so that, the maximum amount of light and/or light characteristic(s) may be detected on the independently identified and selected core fibers. The position of the light alignment structure  150 B and that of light receiving device  150 C may then be fixed, by the holding device  110 . Accordingly, the precise position and location of the independently identified and selected core fiber(s) may be precisely ascertained, due to the one to one correspondence of the light and/or light input characteristic(s) on the input end of the multi-core as compare to that on the end of the multi-core fiber. 
   Another embodiment of the invention may include aspects to expedite the alignment process. For example, it is possible to accelerate alignment by optimally controlling such factors as the step and direction of course of motion and the rotation after receiving light at the second end. For example, a light receiving device may transmit a semicircular window corresponding to the upper half of the entire core. By making it possible to receive a large amount of light when adjusting the rotational position of the photo-excited cores (selected individual cores) of the multi-core fibers come to the same position in the upper half of the light receiving device  150 . Thus, alignment can be easily performed due to the amount of continually varying light that is received. Although, the selection of the independently identified and selected core fibers has been described with regards to a semi-circle, any pattern or shape of core fiber(s) may be selected for the application of light at the input end of the multi-core. For example, one may select a line of independent core fibers, or those resembling a diamond, or square, or “X or C”, or only those on the outer most surface of the core, or any patterns of core fiber (e.g. every other one etc.). 
     FIG. 3  A, depicts an optical light device that is arranged in a face opposite the multi-core fiber that is to be aligned; on the other end of the multi-core fiber, is a light-emitting and receiving element is subject to alignment. This type of light emitting and receiving device may also be utilized in other aspects of the embodiment where the light emitting and receiving devices are comprised of LEDs. Furthermore, a minute lens may also be arranged at the face of an end directed at the optical fiber that is to be aligned as shown in  FIG. 4 . The lens may be of the type of ball or aspheric lens to help improve alignment accuracy. Accuracy may be improved due to the lens aiding in focusing and/or detecting the light emitted and received at the second end of the multi-core fiber. 
   In an alternative aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the alignment may be performed by causing a single light source to enter into one or more cores in the multi-core fiber, where the cores are close to an outer circumference. 
   In an alternative aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the alignment may be accomplished by causing a plurality of light and/or light intensities to enter into each of the one or more independently identified core fibers. The plurality of light sources and/or varied light intensities makes it possible to identify uniquely the positions and alignment of each of the one or more independently identified core fibers. 
   In yet, another alternative aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the alignment may be accomplished by causing a plurality of light wavelengths and/or blinking frequencies to enter into each of the one or more independently identified core fibers. The plurality of light sources and/or varied light intensities makes it possible to identify uniquely the positions and alignment of each of the one or more independently identified core fibers. 
   The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.