1. Splicers Rekha.V. Tranquebar e-mail: rvt@buffalo.edu

2. definitions  Splicer mechanical device for joining two pieces of paper or film or magnetic tape  Splice joint made by overlapping two ends and joining them  Splicing process of the permanent connection of two pieces of optical fibres

3. scope Types of splicing Splicing procedure Losses Comparison Manufacturers Cost

4. types of splicing Mechanical Fusion (welding)

5. scribe & break End preparation Striping (cable jacket, buffer tube & coating) Cleaving Cleaning the end surface

6. mechanical splicing bonding two fibers together in an alignment structure Transparent adhesive - e.g. epoxy resin Commonly used groove - V-groove Alignment problems

7. fusion splicing Fusing the two fibers Flame heating sources - micro-plasma burners, oxy- hydric micro-burners, electric arc.. Advantage - consistent and easily controlled heat with adaptability Possible drawback - weakening of fiber in the vicinity of splice

8. splice tray Stores and organizes the fiber & splice Protects fibers Prevents fibers from exceeding the minimum bending radius Establishes long haul links

9. comparison Mechanical splicingFusion splicing Reflection losses (-45 db to -55 db) No reflection losses Insertion loss (0.2 db) Very low insertion loss (0.1 db to.15 db) cost – highComparatively less

10. splicing losses Intrinsic - Freznel reflection Extrinsic - foreign particles on surfaces Reflection - incident and reflected beam travel on the same path

11. what do we achieve by splicing? Clear Better appearance Greater strength

12. fusion splicer FSM-16S manufacturer : Fujikura

13. specifications Applicable fiber No. of fibers applied Splice loss Return loss Cleaved fiber length Magnification of fibre Viewing method Splice loss estimtion Splice result storage Mechanical proof test Power supply Dimensions Weight

14. manufacturers Fujikura “the market leader”  65% of fusion splicers are manufactured  $3000 million annual turnover  Training www.fujikura.co.uk Ericsson  internships www.ericsson.com Fitel www.fitel.com Sumitomo

15. highest cost Fujikura $ 34,450 Ericsson $7,995 Fitel $6,600

16. summary Fusion and mechanical splicing Splicing procedure Comparison Manufacturers Cost

17. references Optical Fiber Communications Principles and practice - John.M.Senior Fiber Optic Communications - Joseph.C.Palais www.fujikura.co.uk www.eurobility.com/news www.tecratools.com www.hyperdictionary.com www.ieee.org www.google.com

18. questions?