Project number
27026
Organization
Intel Corporation
Offering
ENGR498-F2026-S2027
Optical manufacturing test systems require repeated mating and demating of optical connectors while maintaining stable optical performance. Connector repeatability directly impacts insertion loss variation, measurement accuracy, and overall test capability in high-volume manufacturing environments.
This project will develop and demonstrate a dynamic MT-24 connector mating system capable of achieving high optical repeatability under controlled positional variations.
The test platform will consist of:
Fixed Connector Assembly
• Female MT-24 optical connector with integrated loopback fibers.
• Mounted on a precision x, y motion stage.
• Capable of manual movement in:
o X-direction (left-right)
o Y-direction (up-down)
• Position offsets of ±150 µm will be introduced to simulate connector placement variation and manufacturing tolerances.
Active Connector Assembly
• Male MT-24 optical connector.
• Student team will design and build a fixture and actuation mechanism to:
o Securely hold the male connector.
o Automatically connect and disconnect from the female connector.
o Maintain consistent mating conditions over repeated connection cycles without damaging female connector alignment hole.
o Accommodate positional offsets introduced by the moving female connector.
System Characterization
The completed system will be used to evaluate:
• Optical insertion loss (IL)
• Channel-to-channel variation across 24 fibers
• Repeatability over multiple mating cycles
• Sensitivity to X/Y positional offsets
• Mechanical repeatability of the mating mechanism
This project will develop and demonstrate a dynamic MT-24 connector mating system capable of achieving high optical repeatability under controlled positional variations.
The test platform will consist of:
Fixed Connector Assembly
• Female MT-24 optical connector with integrated loopback fibers.
• Mounted on a precision x, y motion stage.
• Capable of manual movement in:
o X-direction (left-right)
o Y-direction (up-down)
• Position offsets of ±150 µm will be introduced to simulate connector placement variation and manufacturing tolerances.
Active Connector Assembly
• Male MT-24 optical connector.
• Student team will design and build a fixture and actuation mechanism to:
o Securely hold the male connector.
o Automatically connect and disconnect from the female connector.
o Maintain consistent mating conditions over repeated connection cycles without damaging female connector alignment hole.
o Accommodate positional offsets introduced by the moving female connector.
System Characterization
The completed system will be used to evaluate:
• Optical insertion loss (IL)
• Channel-to-channel variation across 24 fibers
• Repeatability over multiple mating cycles
• Sensitivity to X/Y positional offsets
• Mechanical repeatability of the mating mechanism