The FGC-GA is the all-in-one solution for precision measurements of the geometry of the widest range of optical fibers, V-groove arrays and ribbon connectors. With one unit, users can completely characterize V-groove block geometry, core-to-core pitch and core X & Y offset of multifiber arrays up to 27 mm in width. With a huge 1200µm field of view as well as an automated lateral scanning stage the FGC-GA can give you all the results you need.
Darkfield Illumination
The Arden Photonics darkfield illumination system allows the software to show a clear live image of the array. This allows users to inspect and image the front face of array, and take measurements of the V grooves themselves. The FGC-GA with image stitching can produce a full image of the entirety of the V-groove array in perfect detail.
Efficient Software
The FGC comes with an efficient software package containing controls to switch between reflection and transmission mode. This allows users to quickly and easily get both core and cladding geometry measurements including diameter, non-circularity and concentricity. The software contains measurement templates for all standard telecoms fibers, however users can also create their own. This allows the measurement of many special fiber types including dual clad fiber, bend insensitive fiber, multicore fibers, polarisation maintaining fibers and many more.
After sales services
Contact Arden Photonics for information on our comprehensive packages (extended warranties, calibration programs, software upgrades, etc.) and per-incident services (repair, calibration, etc.).
Images
Screenshots
Latest Software
Technical Specification
Documents
Ordering Information
Images
Screenshots
| PM fiber |  | Octagonal fiber |  | Dual clad fiber |  |
| Micro-structured fiber |  | Multimode fiber |  | Multicore fiber |  |
Latest Software
Release v5.0 of FGC software is applicable to the FGC-GT, GS and GA optical units.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| MT Ferrule measurement | Enables measurement of core positioning in MT ferrules using the FGC-GA |
| Capillary Measurement | Enables measurement of small glass capillaries |
| Core-Inner Cladding Concentricity | Enables measurement of Core-Inner Cladding Concentricity of double clad fibers |
Screen shots
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 FGC v5.0 showing octagonal fiber |
 FGC v5.0 showing PM fiber |
 FGC v5.0 showing multi-fiber array |
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FGC v5.0 in “Reflection” mode
FGC v5.0 showing dual clad fiber
FGC v5.0 showing fiber templatesSoftware Version Feature Guide
User manual issue #
V 2.0 – 2
V 3.0 – 3
V 4.0 – 6
V 4.5 – 6
V 4.9 – 6
V 5.0 – 7
| Feature | Version and Release Date |
|---|---|
| Line Profile | Support for V 2.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| False colour display | Support for V 2.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| User Definable Fiber Spec Templates | Support for V 2.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| 12-bit data analysis | Support for V 2.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| Password protection for config mode | Support for V 2.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| Automatic exposure control | Support for V 2.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| Support Windows 8 | Support for V 2.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| Support 32-bit and 64-bit processors | Support for V 2.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| Customizable Excel format report | Support for V 2.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| One click export of FGC data | Support for V 2.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| Keyboard shortcuts | Support for V 2.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| Auto-focus | Support for V 3.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| Auto-centre display | Support for V 3.0 – V 5.0 (March 2016 – June 2020) |
| Pm Measurement | Support for V 4.0 – V 5.0 (August 2017 – June 2020) |
| Polygonal Measurement | Support for V 4.0 – V 5.0 (August 2017 – June 2020) |
| Multicore measurement | Support for V 4.0 – V 5.0 (August 2017 – June 2020) |
| Standard deviation displayed | Support for V 4.0 – V 5.0 (August 2017 – June 2020) |
| Support Windows 10 | Support for V 4.0 – V 5.0 (August 2017 – June 2020) |
| HD Edition | Support for V 4.0 – V 5.0 (August 2017 – June 2020) |
| Fibre Array measurement | Support for V 4.5 – V 5.0 (March 2018 – June 2020) |
| Scanning stage support | Support for V 4.5 – V 5.0 (March 2018 – June 2020) |
| Fibre Array measurement | Support for V 4.5 – V 5.0 (March 2018 – June 2020) |
| High resolution camera support | Support for V 4.5 – V 5.0 (March 2018 – June 2020) |
| Bright field focus for connector | Support for V 4.5 – V 5.0 (March 2018 – June 2020) |
| Imaging tools | Support for V 4.5 – V 5.0 (March 2018 – June 2020) |
| Saturated Image Mode | Support for V 4.5 – V 5.0 (March 2018 – June 2020) |
| CCC Angle | Support for V 4.5 – V 5.0 (March 2018 – June 2020) |
| Dual Wavelength Support | Support for V 4.9 – V 5.0 (March 2020 – June 2020) |
| PM Illuminator support | Support for V 4.9 – V 5.0 (March 2020 – June 2020) |
| MT Ferrule measurement | Support for V 5.0 (June 2020) |
| Capillary Measurement | Support for V 5.0 (June 2020) |
| Core-Inner Cladding Concentricity | Support for V 5.0 (June 2020) |
Technical Specification
| Measurement Capability | |
|---|---|
| Fiber Diameter | up to 1000µm |
| End Angle | ± 8° |
| Single Fibers | |
|---|---|
| Singlemode | Standard telecom |
| Multimode – Graded Index | OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4 |
| Multimode – Step Index | From 50/125µm Up to 1000µm cladding diameter |
| Polarisation Maintaining | 80µm and 125µm PANDA |
| Dual-clad | Minimum layer thickness = 10µm |
| Multi-core fiber | 19 cores |
| Non-circular fiber | 6 and 8 sides (can be part of double cladding structure) |
| Arrays | |
|---|---|
| Array Width | Up to 27mm |
| Fiber Types | Singlemode, Multimode, PM |
| Measurement Time | < 1 minute (excluding fiber preparation) for a 3-fiber array |
| MT ferrules | Positions of cores with respect to guide pins |
| Repeatability | |
|---|---|
| Single fiber – Repeatability is measured on the FGC-GA using a single 20/400µm fiber with 525nm illumination without removing it from the unit. |
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| Core Diameter | < 0.1 µm |
| Cladding Diameter | < 0.15 µm |
| Core Non-Circularity | < 0.5% |
| Cladding Non-Circularity | < 0.1% |
| Core-to-Cladding Concentricity | < 0.15 µm |
| Arrays – Repeatability is measured on the FGC-GA using a 3-fiber array, without removing it from the unit. | |
| Core Diameter | < 0.1 µm |
| Core X/Y-offsets | < 0.1 µm |
| Core-Core Distance | < 0.1% |
| Optical | |
|---|---|
| Fiber Illumination – Reflection | Dual wavelength, switchable 850nm and 525nm |
| Fiber Illumination – Transmission | Multiple LED array, 850nm and 525nm. Suitable for single cores up to 1000µm- requires Arden-style fiber holder |
| Fiber Illumination – PM | External module – 850 and 525nm options. Suitable for 80µm and 125µm fibers, PANDA style. Bow-tie style fibers can be imaged but not analysed. Software-controlled from main GUI. |
| Fiber illumination – external illuminator | External module 850nm and 525nm options. Suitable for bare fiber, FC,SC.ST,LC (and APC variants) |
| Maximum field of view | 1200 µm |
| Image sensor | 35mm CCD; 4864 × 3232 pixels resolution |
| Exposure range | Global shutter; 0.1ms to 100ms exposure time |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 13.6kg (with carry case 33kg ) |
| Size | 0.5m x 0.5m x 0.2m |
| Operating Temp | 10 – 30° C |
| Computer Requirements | All FGC systems are supplied with a computer running up-to-date Windows operating system |
| Data Interface | 1 X USB 3.0 (USB B to USB A: 2m cable supplied) |
Documents
Ordering Information
| Part number | Description |
|---|---|
| FGC-GA | FGC-GA Geometry System for measurement of optical fiber V-groove arrays, MT ferrules and Large Diameter Fibers. Including optical unit, fiber handling bench, pair of Arden holders suitable for 400µm diameter coated fiber, FTK400 fiber samples, |
| FG-H-125 | Pair of Arden FGC fiber holders with 125µm V-groove, suitable for 125µm diameter coated fiber |
| FG-H-200 | Pair of Arden FGC fiber holders with 250µm V-groove, suitable for 250µm diameter coated fiber |
| FG-H-250 | Pair of Arden FGC fiber holders with 250 µm V-groove, suitable for 250 µm diameter coated fiber |
| FG-H-400 | Pair of Arden FGC fiber holders with 400 µm V-groove, suitable for 400 µm diameter coated fiber |
| FG-H-600 | Pair of Arden FGC fiber holders with 600 µm V-groove, suitable for 600 µm diameter coated fiber |
| FG-H-800 | Pair of Arden FGC fiber holders with 800 µm V-groove, suitable for 800 µm diameter coated fiber |
| FG-H-1000 | Pair of Arden FGC fiber holders with 1000 µm V-groove, suitable for 1000 µm diameter coated fiber |
| FG-H-1200 | Pair of Arden FGC fiber holders with 1200µm V-groove, suitable for 1000µm diameter coated fiber |
| FG-H-VA | FGC-GA adjustable array holder. Suitable for mounting arrays or v-blocks with widths from 2.5 to 22mm |
| FG-FTK-400 | FGC fiber samples, 400µm diameter, for checking FGC alignment and calibration. |
| FGC-GAUEW2 | FGC-GA geometry system, extended warranty covering parts and labour for 2 years from purchase, return to base. Cover excludes camera |
| FGC-GAUEW3 | FGC-GA geometry system, extended warranty covering parts and labour for 3 years from purchase, return to base. Cover excludes camera |
| FGC-GAUEW4 | FGC-GA geometry system, extended warranty covering parts and labour for 4 years from purchase, return to base. Cover excludes camera |
| FGC-GAUEW5 | FGC-GA geometry system, extended warranty covering parts and labour for 5 years from purchase, return to base. Cover excludes camera |
| FGC-PMI-850 | PM illuminator, 850 nm, for measuring dimensions of 125 and 80 µm diameter PANDA fibers. Optional plug-in unit for all models of FGC. |
| FGC-PMI-525 | PM illuminator, 525 nm, for measuring dimensions of 125 and 80 µm diameter PANDA fibers. Optional plug-in unit for all models of FGC. |
