Abstract: A preconnectorized outdoor cable streamlines the deployment of optical waveguides into the last mile of a optical network. The preconnectorized outdoor cable includes a cable and at least one plug connector. The plug connector is attached to a first end of the cable, thereby connectorizing at least one optical waveguide. The cable has at least one optical waveguide, at least one tensile element, and a cable jacket. Various cable designs such as figure-eight or flat cables may be used with the plug connector. In preferred embodiments, the plug connector includes a crimp assembly having a crimp housing and a crimp band. The crimp housing has two half-shells being held together by the crimp band for securing the at least one tensile element. When fully assembled, the crimp housing fits into a shroud of the preconnectorized cable. The shroud aides in mating the preconnectorized cable with a complimentary receptacle.

Abstract: A preconnectorized outdoor cable streamlines the deployment of optical waveguides into the last mile of a optical network. The preconnectorized outdoor cable includes a cable and at least one plug connector. The plug connector is attached to a first end of the cable, thereby connectorizing at least one optical waveguide. The cable has at least one optical waveguide, at least one tensile element, and a cable jacket. Various cable designs such as figure-eight or flat cables may be used with the plug connector. In preferred embodiments, the plug connector includes a crimp assembly having a crimp housing and a crimp band. The crimp housing has two half-shells being held together by the crimp band for securing the at least one tensile element. When fully assembled, the crimp housing fits into a shroud of the preconnectorized cable. The shroud aides in mating the preconnectorized cable with a complimentary receptacle.

Abstract: A preconnectorized outdoor cable streamlines the deployment of optical waveguides into the last mile of a optical network. The preconnectorized outdoor cable includes a cable and at least one plug connector. The plug connector is attached to a first end of the cable, thereby connectorizing at least one optical waveguide. The cable has at least one optical waveguide, at least one tensile element, and a cable jacket. Various cable designs such as figure-eight or flat cables may be used with the plug connector. In preferred embodiments, the plug connector includes a crimp assembly having a crimp housing and a crimp band. The crimp housing has two half-shells being held together by the crimp band for securing the at least one tensile element. When fully assembled, the crimp housing fits into a shroud of the preconnectorized cable. The shroud aides in mating the preconnectorized cable with a complimentary receptacle.

Abstract: A fiber optic ribbon having a predetermined separation sequence including a first subunit having a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a generally planar configuration being connected by a first primary matrix. The first subunit being a portion of a first ribbon-unit. A second subunit having a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a generally planar configuration being connected by a second primary matrix. The second subunit being a portion of a second ribbon-unit that includes a plurality of subunits. A secondary matrix connects the first ribbon-unit and the second ribbon-unit. The secondary matrix has a preferential tear portion disposed adjacent to a ribbon-unit interface defined between the first ribbon-unit and the second ribbon-unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for estimating optical insertion loss of a fiber optic jumper cable are disclosed. Estimation of the insertion loss is accomplished without physically contacting an optical connection portion of the ferrule end face of the connector. In one embodiment, the apparatus and method use pattern matching to compare an optical fiber core of a reference jumper cable with an optical fiber core of a jumper cable being tested. Then, the relative signals for each pattern are compared and used for estimating the optical insertion loss using an appropriate algorithm. Additionally, the apparatus and method may include other inspection techniques such as surface and/or geometry inspection.

Abstract: A fiber optic drop cable is disclosed that includes at least one optical waveguide disposed within a tube, a first and second strength assembly, and a cable jacket. Each strength assembly includes a strength component and a plurality of strength members, wherein the respective plurality of strength members are radially disposed about at least half of the circumference of the respective strength component. In one embodiment, the first and second strength assemblies are generally disposed on opposite sides of the tube.

Abstract: Fiber optic articles, assemblies, and cables preserve optical performance by using optical waveguides having a core, a cladding, and a coating system according to the present invention. Moreover, the optical articles, assemblies, and cables of the present invention may achieve performance levels that were previously unattainable, for instance, the present invention contemplates acceptable optical performance for wavelengths such as 1625 nm and higher. Additionally, articles, assemblies, and/or cables of the present invention advantageously preserve optical performance, i.e., have relatively low delta attenuation, when subjected to manufacturing processes and/or environmental conditions such as temperature cycling. In other words, the articles, assemblies, and cables can withstand increased stress/strain before having significant attenuation.

Abstract: An optical fiber array having a plurality of intermittent weakened portions allows subunit or groups of the fibers in the optical fiber array to be accessed without the need for special tools and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. In one embodiment, the optical fiber array includes at least two subunits, each of the subunits having a respective subunit matrix, and the optical fiber array also includes a common matrix having a plurality of intermittent weakened portions. In another embodiment, the plurality of intermittent weakened portions of the optical fiber array are formed by a common matrix having two different thickness profiles adjacent along respective portions of a subunit interface.

Abstract: A central office surge protector having at least one gas tube and at least one varistor. The at least one varistor interacts with the at least one gas tube to lower the impulse breakdown voltage of the gas tube. The at least one gas tube may be a two or a three element gas tube. Alternative embodiments of the surge protector further include at least one sneak current protection element.

Abstract: A figure-eight fiber optic drop cable includes a messenger section and a carrier section connected by a web. The carrier section has at least one optical waveguide and at least one roving. In one embodiment, the carrier section has an average shrinkage of about 0.5% or less when separated from the messenger section during an average shrinkage test. Also the carrier section of the figure-eight fiber optic drop cable can have an average coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) section after being separated from the messenger section of about 5.0×10?3%/° C. or less for preserving optical performance. Furthermore, a maximum delta attenuation of the at least one optical waveguide during thermal cycling may be about 0.3 dB/20 meters or less at a reference wavelength of about 1550 nm at a temperature of about ?40° C. Other cable configurations are also possible with the invention.

Abstract: A robust protective casing is provided that includes an inner tubing having a passageway therethrough, an outer tubing, and a plurality of flexible strength members disposed between the inner and outer tubing. The protective casing has a wall tubing thickness ratio of the inner tubing wall thickness to the outer tubing wall thickness of about 0.5 or less while still inhibiting the kinking of the protective casing during relatively small bend radii. Additionally, an outer diameter of the protective casing is relatively small while still allowing the routing of a standard sized 900 micron tight-buffered optical fiber through the passageway. Thus, the protective casing is advantageous in applications where limited space is available space. A fan-out assembly using the protective casings is also described.

Abstract: A cable containing at least one optical fiber and at least one material. The at least one optical fiber being at least partially embedded within the at least one material, and the at least one material forming a housing that protects the at least one optical fiber. The at least one material having a Shore A hardness of about 75 or less.

Abstract: An optical tube assembly and methods of manufacturing the same include a tube, at least one optical waveguide, and a dry insert. In one embodiment, the dry insert generally surrounds the at least one optical waveguide and forms a core that is disposed within the tube. In one embodiment, the dry insert is compressed at least about 10 percent for coupling the at least optical waveguide to the interior surface of the tube.

Abstract: A tight buffered optical fiber and methods of manufacturing the same include an optical fiber and a tight buffer layer. The tight buffer layer has a predetermined wall thickness generally surrounding the optical fiber and at least one preferential tear portion generally formed along a longitudinal axis of the tight buffer layer. In one embodiment, the tight buffered optical fiber has a delta attenuation of about 0.300 dB/km or less at a temperature of about ?40° C. at a reference wavelength of about 1550 nm, thereby making the tight buffered optical fiber suitable for outdoor environments. Other embodiments can include a buffer layer surrounding one or more optical fiber ribbons. In other embodiments, the buffer layer can be formed from a material having an elongation to break ratio of about 500% or less.

Abstract: A connector housing includes a housing assembly and a tray assembly. The tray assembly being slidably mounted relative to the housing assembly and having a first position within the housing assembly so that the tray assembly is fully inserted within the housing assembly in a stored position. The tray assembly also has a first position beyond an interior of the housing assembly. In the first position, a first portion of a tray of the tray assembly is rotatable relative to a second portion of the tray at a hingeable section of the tray, thereby allowing easier access to components, connections, and/or cables on the tray. In another embodiment, the tray assembly is slidable into a rearward position beyond the interior of the housing assembly.

Abstract: A fiber optic dry tube assembly and a method of manufacturing the same includes at least one optical waveguide and a tube. The tube houses at least a portion of the at least one optical fiber and is formed from a bimodal polymeric material. The tube has an average ovality of about 10 percent or less. In other embodiments, the bimodal polymeric material that forms the tube has a melt index of about 1.0 g/10 minutes or less, a melt strength in the range of about 8 cN to about 35 cN at 190° C,. and/or a polydisperity of about 7 or greater. Additionally, the dry tube assemblies of the present invention can form a portion of a cable.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes at least one optical waveguide, at least one strength member, and a jacket. The at least one strength member is a material having an average residual angle in the range of about 30 degrees to about 65 degrees during a bending test using a mandrel having a wire ratio (D/d) of about 200. The strength member is suitable, if necessary, for self-attaching to studs, hooks, or the like by bending it therearound and is also suitable for hardware such as P-clamps or other grips. In other embodiments, strength member 14 is annealed to relieve work hardening. Preferred embodiments use a steel strength member with a carbon content between about 0.30 percent to about 0.75 percent. Additionally, a coating may be applied to the strength member for environmental/corrosion protection or conductivity.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable and methods for manufacturing the same the fiber optic cable including a fiber optic cable core, the fiber optic cable core includes at least one optical fiber and a separation layer. The separation layer generally surrounds the at least one optical fiber, and a cable jacket generally surrounds the separation layer. The cable jacket has an average shrinkage of about 2.0% or less during a cable jacket shrinkage test conducted at a temperature of 110° C. for 2 hours with the cable core removed. The low-shrink characteristic of the cable jacket preserves optical performance during, for example, temperature variations.

Abstract: One embodiment is a fiber optic cable including at least one subunit, a tube, a plurality of strength members, and a cable jacket. The subunit includes a fiber optic ribbon and a sheath, wherein the sheath is tight-buffered about the fiber optic ribbon, thereby inhibiting buckling of the ribbon during temperature variations. The tube houses at least a portion of the at least one subunit to form a tube assembly. The plurality of strength members are disposed radially outward of the tube and are surrounded by the cable jacket. Other embodiments include a plurality of subunits in a stack with each subunit having a sheath for security purposes. Additionally, a tube assembly can have a fiber optic packing density of about 0.05 or greater.

Abstract: A buffered fiber optic ribbon including at least one fiber optic ribbon, at least one cushioning material, and at least one buffer layer. In one embodiment, the buffer layer has a generally flat portion that contacts a portion of the fiber optic ribbon. In another embodiment, the cushioning material is disposed in at least two regions that are separated by a portion of the buffer layer. In other embodiments, the buffer layer generally inhibits the fiber optic ribbon from twisting within the buffer layer.