Abstract: A fiber optic cassette includes a body defining a front and an opposite rear. A cable entry location is defined on the body for a cable to enter the cassette, wherein a plurality of optical fibers from the cable extend into the cassette and form terminations at non-conventional connectors adjacent the front of the body. A flexible substrate is positioned between the cable entry location and the non-conventional connectors adjacent the front of the body, the flexible substrate rigidly supporting the plurality of optical fibers. Each of the non-conventional connectors adjacent the front of the body includes a ferrule, a ferrule hub supporting the ferrule, and a split sleeve surrounding the ferrule.

Abstract: A telecommunications system (14) includes a chassis (12) defining a front (18), a rear (16), and a plurality of first signal connection locations (38) adjacent the rear (16). A plurality of removable cassettes (10) are housed within the chassis (12), each including a cassette body (68) defining a fixed portion (80) that is coupled to one of the first signal connection locations (38) on the chassis (12) and a movable portion (82) that telescopically slides relative to the fixed portion (80), wherein the movable portion (82) is configured for movement in a direction from the front (18) to the rear (16) of the chassis (12), each cassette (10) defining a plurality of second signal connection locations (58).

Abstract: Certain types of aggregation enclosures include cable input ports and downwardly angled cable output ports. A cover is pivotally coupled to the body so that the cover moves between an open position and a closed position. A modular component panel may be disposed within the enclosure. The component panel includes one or more distribution components (e.g., fiber distribution components or power distribution components) configured to connect at least a portion of an incoming cable to at least a portion of an outgoing cable.

Abstract: A fiber optic system includes a telecommunications chassis defining a front and a rear, a plurality of blades slidably mounted to the chassis, the blades slidable in a direction extending from the front to the rear, and a plurality of fiber optic cassettes removably mounted to each blade. Each fiber optic cassette includes a housing defining a maximum cassette height, the housing formed by a base and a cover mounted thereon. Each cassette defines fiber optic connection locations. The base of each cassette defines a notched area for receiving a portion of the blade on which the cassette is mounted such that the blade does not increase the overall maximum height defined by the housing.

Abstract: A fiber optic cassette includes a body defining a front and an opposite rear. A cable entry location is defined on the body for a cable to enter the cassette, wherein a plurality of optical fibers from the cable extend into the cassette and form terminations at non-conventional connectors adjacent the front of the body. A flexible substrate is positioned between the cable entry location and the non-conventional connectors adjacent the front of the body, the flexible substrate rigidly supporting the plurality of optical fibers. Each of the non-conventional connectors adjacent the front of the body includes a ferrule, a ferrule hub supporting the ferrule, and a split sleeve surrounding the ferrule.

Abstract: A converter module comprises a housing; a fiber optic connector integrated with the housing, wherein the fiber optic connector is configured to mount directly to a fiber optic connector in a service terminal; a single electrical connector configured to couple to a metallic medium; and an optical-to-electrical (O/E) converter located in the housing and coupled to the fiber optic connector and the single electrical connector, the O/E converter configured to convert between optical frames communicated via the fiber optic connector and electrical signals communicated via the metallic medium.

Abstract: A work order is generated. The work order comprises a first work order step specifying that a port of a first network element is to be connected to a port of a second network element using a cable. The first and second network elements are configured to detect when connections are made at the specified ports of the first network element and the second network element. A management system is configured to update information it maintains to indicate that there is a connection between the specified port of the first network element and the specified port of the second network element if connections made at the specified ports of the first and second network elements are detected during a period in which the first work order step of the first work order is expected to be performed. A similar technique can be used for disconnecting a cable.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated broadband distribution point unit powering are provided. In one embodiment, an upstream service disconnect unit comprises: a processor; a relay control; and a switching relay coupled to a upstream service delivery unit, a first end of an electrical conductor span, and a access network distribution point unit that is coupled to an optical fiber network, wherein a second end of the electrical conductor span is coupled to a customer premises equipment DSL modem; wherein the upstream service disconnect unit is configured to energize the processor, the relay control, and the switching relay and to operate the switching relay to couple the electrical conductor span with the access network distribution point unit by tapping power of a trigger signal drawn from the electrical conductor span.

Abstract: A telecommunications system (14) includes a chassis (12) defining a front (18), a rear (16), and a plurality of first signal connection locations (38) adjacent the rear (16). A plurality of removable cassettes (10) are housed within the chassis (12), each including a cassette body (68) defining a fixed portion (80) that is coupled to one of the first signal connection locations (38) on the chassis (12) and a movable portion (82) that telescopically slides relative to the fixed portion (80), wherein the movable portion (82) is configured for movement in a direction from the front (18) to the rear (16) of the chassis (12), each cassette (10) defining a plurality of second signal connection locations (58).

Abstract: An electric connector is provided to ensure reliable termination of cable wires having different sizes. The electric connector can include a housing, a plurality of contacts, and a wire holder. The wire holder includes a wire support extension configured to be at least partially inserted into the housing. The wire support extension defines a plurality of wire receiving passages configured to arrange a plurality of first wires thereon and align the first wires with contact insert slots of the housing, respectively, when the wire support extension is inserted to the housing. The wire holder further includes a plurality of wire support ribs configured to centralize second wires smaller than the first wires.

Abstract: A double flexible optical circuit includes: a flexible substrate supporting a plurality of optical fibers; a first connector terminating the optical fibers at a first end of the double flexible optical circuit; and a second connector terminating the optical fibers at a second end of the double flexible optical circuit. Each of the optical fibers is positioned in one of a plurality of separate extensions formed by the flexible substrate as the optical fibers extend from the first connector to the second connector. The first and second connectors are configured to be tested when the first and second connectors are connected through the double flexible optical circuit. The double flexible optical circuit is configured to be divided in half once the testing is complete to form two separate flexible optical circuits.

Abstract: A single line converter module comprises a housing; an environmentally hardened fiber optic connector located in the housing and configured to be optically coupled to a service terminal for receiving downstream optical frames; a single electrical connector located in the housing and coupled over a metallic medium to a network terminal providing a service to respective customer premise equipment (CPE); and an optical-to-electrical (O/E) converter located in the housing and configured to convert the downstream optical frames to an electrical signal for transmission over the metallic medium to the network terminal.

Abstract: An adapter block assembly includes an adapter block, a circuit board arrangement, and a cover attached to the adapter block so that the circuit board arrangement is held to the adapter block by the cover. Contact assemblies can be disposed between the adapter block and the circuit board arrangement. The cover can be latched, heat staked, or otherwise secured to the adapter block. Each component of the adapter block assembly can include one or more parts (e.g., multiple adapter blocks, multiple circuit boards, and/or multiple cover pieces).

Abstract: A fiber optic cassette includes a body defining a front and an opposite rear. A cable entry location is defined on the body for a cable to enter the cassette, wherein a plurality of optical fibers from the cable extend into the cassette and form terminations at non-conventional connectors adjacent the front of the body. A flexible substrate is positioned between the cable entry location and the non-conventional connectors adjacent the front of the body, the flexible substrate rigidly supporting the plurality of optical fibers. Each of the non-conventional connectors adjacent the front of the body includes a ferrule, a ferrule hub supporting the ferrule, and a split sleeve surrounding the ferrule.

Abstract: A connector including two connector portions each including a ferrule and a latch, each latch including a distal end, and a proximal end, wherein the latch is pivotable about an intermediate connection portion; and a boot mounted to the connector portions, the boot movable longitudinally relative to the connector portions, wherein the boot causes the distal ends of the latch to pivot toward the ferrule of each connector portion as the boot is moved away from the connector portions. Front housings of the connector portions can each be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the ferrule without rotating the ferrule or the boot, to change the polarity of the two connector portions. The spacing between the two ferrules is adjustable. A holder holds the connector portions, the holder including side slots, the connector portions mounted to the holder by moving laterally to the side slots. The holder defines an area for receipt of a fiber optic cable when the ferrule is pushed in a direction toward the boot.

Abstract: A closure (100) facilitates upgrading a network to extend optical fibers closer to, or all the way to, the subscribers by facilitating the transition between optical signals to electrical signals. The closure includes a base (110) and a cover (120) defining an interior; and a circuit board (130) disposed within the interior. A management tray (140) can be coupled to the base. The circuit board (130) includes the optoelectronic circuitry. The management tray (140) includes a platform (141) disposed between the circuit board (130) and the cover (120). Various types of fiber and electrical cable sub-assemblies (160) can be received at a port (113) defined in the closure.

Abstract: A telecommunications system (14) includes a chassis (12) defining a front (18), a rear (16), and a plurality of first signal connection locations (38) adjacent the rear (16). A plurality of removable cassettes (10) are housed within the chassis (12), each including a cassette body (68) defining a fixed portion (80) that is coupled to one of the first signal connection locations (38) on the chassis (12) and a movable portion (82) that telescopically slides relative to the fixed portion (80), wherein the movable portion (82) is configured for movement in a direction from the front (18) to the rear (16) of the chassis (12), each cassette (10) defining a plurality of second signal connection locations (58).

Abstract: An electrical connection system includes various devices and structures for improving alien crosstalk performance in a high density configuration. In certain examples, a plurality of insulation displacement contacts of a connector are arranged at angle and oriented to be symmetrical about an axial of the connector. The connector includes a connector housing and a shield cap configured to at least partially cover the connector housing. The shield cap includes a shield wall and an open side that is not closed by a shield wall. The shield wall exposes a portion of the connector when the shield cap is mounted to the connector housing. When a plurality of such connectors are arranged side by side in a high density configuration, the connectors are aligned such that the open side of the shield cap is arranged close to, or abutted to, the shield wall of the shield cap of an adjacent connector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated broadband distribution point unit powering are provided. In one embodiment, an upstream service disconnect unit comprises: a processor; a relay control; and a switching relay coupled to a upstream service delivery unit, a first end of an electrical conductor span, and a access network distribution point unit that is coupled to an optical fiber network, wherein a second end of the electrical conductor span is coupled to a customer premises equipment DSL modem; wherein the upstream service disconnect unit is configured to energize the processor, the relay control, and the switching relay and to operate the switching relay to couple the electrical conductor span with the access network distribution point unit by tapping power of a trigger signal drawn from the electrical conductor span.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method comprising obtaining, using a portable device, identifier information about one or more identifiers associated with one or more of a rack and equipment installed in the rack and displaying on the portable device a picture of the rack captured and displaying on the portable device an overlay that includes markings that define a perimeter of the rack and a plurality of equipment positions within the rack. The method further comprises receiving, by the portable device, an alignment of the overlay on the picture of the rack and the equipment positions and receiving location information for the rack. The method further comprises storing the picture of the rack, the alignment of the overlay on the picture of the rack, the identifier location, and the location information by a management application. Other embodiments are disclosed.