Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly having a reduced cross-dimensional width includes a fiber optic cable carrying a plurality of optical fibers and having a furcation formed at an end thereof. The furcation includes a furcation housing and a plurality of furcation tubes extending from the furcation housing. Each of the plurality of furcation tubes is configured to receive a number of the plurality of optical fibers. The furcation further includes at least one connection interface terminating the optical fibers received in each of the plurality of furcation tubes. At least one of the furcation tubes has a diameter substantially equal to a theoretical minimum diameter corresponding to the number and size of the optical fibers received therein, and may be formed from a heat shrink material. A method of making such a fiber optic cable assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ferrule-based fiber optic connectors having a ferrule retraction balancing characteristic for preserving optical performance are disclosed. The fiber optic connector comprises a connector assembly, a connector sleeve assembly and a balancing resilient member. The connector assembly comprises a ferrule and a resilient member for biasing the ferrule forward and the connector sleeve assembly comprises a housing and a ferrule sleeve, where the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the passageway of the housing and the ferrule of the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the ferrule sleeve. The balancing resilient member biases the housing to a forward position with a the biasing resilient member having a predetermined resilient force that is greater than the friction force required for displacement of the ferrule within the ferrule sleeve.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical plug connectors that can be converted from a first mating interface to a second mating interface that is different than the first mating interface. The optical plug connector comprises a plug body, a shroud, a ferrule and a first coupling member for securing the optical plug connector. The shroud comprises a first mating interface configuration that may be removed and replaced with a shroud having a second mating interface configuration.

Abstract: A ferrule-based fiber optic connectors having a connector assembly with a ferrule having an integral ferrule insertion stop for limiting the insertion of the ferrule into a ferrule sleeve are disclosed. In one embodiment, the fiber optic connector comprising a connector assembly, a connector sleeve assembly and a female coupling housing. The connector assembly comprises a ferrule and a resilient member for biasing the ferrule forward and the connector sleeve assembly comprises a housing and a ferrule sleeve, where the ferrule of the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the ferrule sleeve when assembled. The ferrule has an integral ferrule insertion stop that limits the depth that the ferrule may be inserted into the ferrule sleeve.

Abstract: A fiber optic drop cable assembly is disclosed. The fiber optic drop cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable having an unsplit length, with a first split length and a second split length branching from the unsplit length. An optical fiber passage is formed at an interface of the first split length and the second split length. A first strength member extends from the unsplit length and is disposed in the first split length. A second strength member extends from the unsplit length and is disposed in the second split length. At least one optical fiber extends in the optical fiber passage. A fiber optic connector connects to the at least one optical fiber and is releasably secured to one or both of the first strength member and the second strength member. A pulling feature attaches to a portion of the fiber optic drop cable assembly for installation.

Abstract: A fiber optic drop cable assembly is disclosed. The fiber optic drop cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable having an unsplit length, with a first split length and a second split length branching from the unsplit length. An optical fiber passage is formed at an interface of the first split length and the second split length. A first strength member extends from the unsplit length and is disposed in the first split length. A second strength member extends from the unsplit length and is disposed in the second split length. At least one optical fiber extends in the optical fiber passage. A fiber optic connector connects to the at least one optical fiber and is releasably secured to one or both of the first strength member and the second strength member. A pulling feature attaches to a portion of the fiber optic drop cable assembly for installation.

Abstract: Ferrule-based fiber optic connectors having a ferrule-retraction balancing characteristic are disclosed. An example fiber optic connector includes a connector assembly and a connector sleeve assembly. The connector assembly includes a ferrule, a resilient member, and a connector body having a latch point and a ferrule stop. The connector sleeve assembly includes a ferrule sleeve and a sleeve housing having a latch, a first stop, and a second stop. The connector assembly is disposed in the passageway of the sleeve housing, and the ferrule of the connector assembly is disposed in the ferrule sleeve in a direction extending from the first stop. When the fiber optic connector is in an unmated state, a gap GL1 is present between the at least one latch and the at least one latch point, and a gap GS1 is present between the first stop and a first end of the ferrule sleeve.

Abstract: Ferrule-based fiber optic connectors having a ferrule-retraction balancing characteristic are disclosed. An example fiber optic connector includes a connector assembly and a connector sleeve assembly. The connector assembly includes a ferrule, a resilient member, and a connector body having a latch point and a ferrule stop. The connector sleeve assembly includes a ferrule sleeve and a sleeve housing having a latch, a first stop, and a second stop. The connector assembly is disposed in the passageway of the sleeve housing, and the ferrule of the connector assembly is disposed in the ferrule sleeve in a direction extending from the first stop. When the fiber optic connector is in an unmated state, a gap GL1 is present between the at least one latch and the at least one latch point, and a gap GS1 is present between the first stop and a first end of the ferrule sleeve.

Abstract: A ferrule-based fiber optic connectors having a connector assembly with a ferrule having an integral ferrule insertion stop for limiting the insertion of the ferrule into a ferrule sleeve are disclosed. In one embodiment, the fiber optic connector comprising a connector assembly, a connector sleeve assembly and a female coupling housing. The connector assembly comprises a ferrule and a resilient member for biasing the ferrule forward and the connector sleeve assembly comprises a housing and a ferrule sleeve, where the ferrule of the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the ferrule sleeve when assembled. The ferrule has an integral ferrule insertion stop that limits the depth that the ferrule may be inserted into the ferrule sleeve.

Abstract: A ferrule-based fiber optic connectors having a ferrule retraction balancing characteristic for preserving optical performance are disclosed. The fiber optic connector comprises a connector assembly, a connector sleeve assembly and a balancing resilient member. The connector assembly comprises a ferrule and a resilient member for biasing the ferrule forward and the connector sleeve assembly comprises a housing and a ferrule sleeve, where the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the passageway of the housing and the ferrule of the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the ferrule sleeve. The balancing resilient member biases the housing to a forward position with a the biasing resilient member having a predetermined resilient force that is greater than the friction force required for displacement of the ferrule within the ferrule sleeve.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical plug connectors that can be converted from a first mating interface to a second mating interface that is different than the first mating interface. The optical plug connector comprises a plug body, a shroud, a ferrule and a first coupling member for securing the optical plug connector. The shroud comprises a first mating interface configuration that may be removed and replaced with a shroud having a second mating interface configuration.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly includes a distribution cable and a tether cable physically coupled thereto. The distribution cable has a cavity through which a fiber optic ribbon extends, and the tether cable includes a jacket and an optical fiber. The distribution cable includes a network access point at a mid-span location, which includes an opening between the cavity to the exterior of the distribution cable. At least a portion of the ribbon extends through the opening. The ribbon of the distribution cable includes a plurality of optical fibers, and the optical fiber of the tether cable is spliced to an optical fiber of the ribbon. The corresponding spliced connection is surrounded by the jacket of the tether cable, whereby the jacket serves as a housing.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly includes leg assemblies, a trunk assembly, a splice assembly, and a furcation assembly. Each leg assembly includes a jacket, an optical fiber, strength members, and a connector. The trunk assembly includes a jacket, optical fibers, strength members, and a multi-fiber connector. The splice assembly includes a tube supporting the optical fibers of the leg and trunk assemblies that are spliced together. The furcation assembly is attached to the splice assembly and includes a fan-out structure and first and second locks. The first lock binds the strength members of the leg assemblies to the furcation assembly, and the second lock binds the strength members of the trunk to the furcation assembly. As such, the furcation assembly provides a mechanical linkage between the trunk and leg assemblies to strain relieve the spliced optical fibers in the tube.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly includes a distribution cable and a tether cable physically coupled thereto. The distribution cable has a cavity through which a fiber optic ribbon extends, and the tether cable includes a jacket and an optical fiber. The distribution cable includes a network access point at a mid-span location, which includes an opening between the cavity to the exterior of the distribution cable. At least a portion of the ribbon extends through the opening. The ribbon of the distribution cable includes a plurality of optical fibers, and the optical fiber of the tether cable is spliced to an optical fiber of the ribbon. The corresponding spliced connection is surrounded by the jacket of the tether cable, whereby the jacket serves as a housing.