Like electronic couplers optical couplers to have the same function: In multiple points (devices) they split the signal. For tapping (monitoring the signal quality) fiber optic couplers are needed or more complex telecommunication systems that require more than simple point-to-point connections, such as star architectures, ring architectures, and bus architectures. They can be either active or passive devices like fbt splitter:
By their input and output port numbers, fiber optic coupler types are often defined. They are generally designed to fulfill different applications.
Star couplers
Compared to tree couplers star couplers are different as they have multiple inputs and multiple outputs. From the central point likes a star the fibers radiate. They often have the same number of inputs and outputs (although not always the case).
T couplers
Based on their look T fbt coupler is also called Y coupler. With one input and two output, ports couplers are three-port devices. Tapping is one major application: on the two outputs, the input power is split to 5% and 95% respectively. To monitor the line quality the 5% port is connected to system monitoring hardware. Another major application is to split the input into two equal outputs.
Tree couplers
Tree couplers take one input and split it into multiple outputs. As a combiner tree couplers can also be used backward. Multiple output signals are combined to a single input now as the output.
Manufacturing technologies of Fiber optic coupler
For fiber optic coupler there are majorly three types of manufacturing technologies: mtp cable, micro-optics, fused-fiber, and planar waveguide.
To construct an optical route that functions as a couple of micro-optics technologies use individual optic elements such as a prism, mirrors, lens, etc. This is not as popular as the other two types and is an expensive approach.
The most basic material – optical fibers are used by fuse-fiber couplers. Multiple fiber cores are melted together which let light transmit among them.
Planar waveguides are more like semiconductors. To make a waveguide couplers planar wafer is used.
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