7BOEING 787: FIBER INSPECTION AND CLEANING
EFFECT ON SIGNAL PERFORMANCE
Dirt is everywhere, and a typical dust particle (2–15 μm in diameter) can signicantly aect signal performance
and cause permanent damage to the ber end face. Most eld test failures can be attributed to dirty connectors,
and most of them are not inspected until the problem is detected, after permanent damage has already occurred.
When dirt particles get on the core surface, light becomes blocked, creating unacceptable insertion loss and
back-reection. Furthermore, these contamination particles can permanently damage the glass interface by
digging into the glass and leaving pits when mated, causing further signal loss. Damage also occurs when large
particles of dirt on the cladding layer and/or the ferrule cause barriers that prevent physical contact, creating air
gaps between the ber connection. These large particles are also known to break apart and migrate across the
ber surface when mated.
Light Transmitted Insertion Loss
DIRTY CONNECTION
Core Cladding
Back Reflection
Dirty Fiber
THE PROBLEM
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