Abstract: A transition device for an optical fiber connection system adapted to interconnect a trunk cable with a plurality of transceivers includes: a first set of at least four optical fibers, each of the optical fibers having a trunk end and a transceiver end; a single trunk end terminal having a plurality of trunk ports arranged in a first row, each port connected with a respective one of the set of optical fibers at its trunk end, wherein a first axis of symmetry divides the ports; and a plurality of transceiver end terminals, each of the transceiver end terminals having at least one couplet of transceiver ports, each of the couplets of transceiver ports receiving a respective couplet of the set of optical fibers at their transceiver ends.

Abstract: Patch cords include a communications cable that has first through eighth conductors that are arranged as four twisted pairs and a plug attached thereto. The plug includes a housing that receives the cable, first through eighth plug contacts, and a printed circuit board that includes first through eighth conductive paths that connect the first through eighth conductors to the respective first through eighth plug contacts. The plug further includes a first crosstalk injection circuit between the second conductive path and the sixth conductive path and a second crosstalk injection circuit between the first conductive path and the sixth conductive path.

Abstract: A toneable conduit including an elongate polymeric tube having a sidewall with an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface defines a main channel. A sub-channel, smaller in cross sectional area than the main channel, extends longitudinally between the exterior and interior surfaces of the tube. A continuous toning signal wire is located within the sub-channel. The sub-channel has a larger cross sectional area than a cross sectional area of the toning signal wire and the toning signal wire follows a zigzagging or undulating path within the sub-channel. Alternatively, the sub-channel and toning signal wire have a substantially common cross sectional area and both follow a zigzagging or undulating path from one end of the toneable conduit to the other end. In both embodiments, a given length of toneable conduit will include a length of toning signal wire exceeding that given length.

Abstract: A connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly includes a loose tube fiber optic cable and a connector assembly. The cable has a termination end and includes: an optical fiber bundle including a plurality of optical fibers; at least one strength member; and a jacket surrounding the optical fiber bundle and the at least one strength member. The connector assembly includes a rigid portion and defines a fiber passage. The connector assembly is mounted on the termination end of the cable such that the optical fiber bundle extends through at least a portion of the fiber passage. The plurality of optical fibers of the optical fiber bundle have a ribbonized configuration in the rigid portion of the connector assembly and a loose, non-ribbonized configuration outside the rigid portion. The plurality of optical fibers undergo a transition from the ribbonized configuration to the loose, non-ribbonized configuration in the rigid portion of the connector assembly.

Abstract: Methods of automatically tracking a patching connection between a first connector port of a patch panel and a second connector port of a network device are provided in which a sensor is used to detect that a first end of a patch cord has been inserted into the second connector port. The patch cord has at least one data communications channel and a separate control channel. A first conductor of the control channel of the patch cord is biased to power an integrated circuit chip on the network device. In response to the detection by the sensor, a first signal is transmitted over the separate control channel of the patch cord to the network device. A second signal is received over the control channel of the patch cord in response to the first signal. The second signal includes a unique identifier that is associated with the second connector port.

Abstract: A system and method for connecting a mobile device to a node in a wireless network. A query may be received for a mobile device from a location based application. In response to the query a first message may be transmitted to the mobile device from a first node, the first message being populated with at least one predetermined parameter. At a second node, it may then be determined whether to forward a second message from the mobile device to the first node via the second node as a function of the availability of the first node or the at least one predetermined parameter.

Abstract: Patch cords include a communications cable that has first through eighth conductors that are arranged as four twisted pairs. A TIA 568B type plug may be attached to the cable. This plug includes a housing that receives the cable and first through eighth plug contacts that include plug contact regions that are substantially aligned in a row in numerical order. The plug further includes a printed circuit board that has first through eighth conductive paths that connect the first through eighth conductors to the respective first through eighth plug contacts. A first portion of the first conductive path and a first portion of the second conductive path are routed as a transmission line, and a first portion of the sixth conductive path is routed therebetween.

Abstract: RF signal amplifiers are provided that include an RF input port, a switching device having an input that is coupled to the RF input port, a first output and a second output, a first diplexer having an input that is coupled to both the first output of the switching device and the second output of the switching device, and a first RF output port that is coupled to an output of the first diplexer. These amplifiers further include an attenuator that is coupled between the second output of the switching device and the input of the first diplexer.

Abstract: An optical switch assembly includes a first member, a second member movably secured to the first member, and first and second optical cable connectors attached to the first member. The second member is movable between first and second positions relative to the first member. The optical switch assembly also includes an optical cable having opposite first and second ends. The optical cable first end is in optical communication with the first optical cable connector and the optical cable second end is attached to the second member. Movement of the second member to the second position causes the optical cable second end to be in optical communication with the second optical cable connector such that an optical path is established between the first and second optical cable connectors. The establishment of an optical path allows the optical cable to pass an optical signal back to a monitoring station.

Abstract: Communications jacks include a housing having a plug aperture in a front portion thereof and a flexible printed circuit board having a plurality of conductive paths thereon. A plurality of input contacts and a plurality of output contacts are each electrically connected to respective ones of the conductive paths on the flexible printed circuit board. A spring that is separate from the input contacts is connected to at least a first of the input contacts. Each of the input contacts comprises a separate, raised contact that is connected to the flexible printed circuit board and mounted to extend into the plug aperture.

Abstract: Communications jacks include at least first through third jackwire contacts and a flexible substrate that has a first finger and a second finger. The first jackwire contact and the third jackwire contact are each mounted on the first finger and the second jackwire contact is mounted on the second finger.

Abstract: Automated infrastructure management systems and methods document infrastructure elements within a facility, provide a comprehensive record of all network-connected equipment within a facility, and facilitate trouble shooting of network-connected equipment. An automated infrastructure management system includes a plurality of intelligent patch panels, each comprising a plurality of connector ports connected to individual communication channels of a network, a controller in communication with at least some of the intelligent patch panels that obtains connectivity information for the intelligent patch panel's ports, and management software in communication with the controller.

Abstract: A telecommunications module includes: (a) an enclosure having a housing member with a floor and opposed side walls that each has a post that extends inwardly and an upper lip with an outwardly-facing slot; a bezel with a main body and a pair of rearwardly-extending projections, each having an aperture that receives a respective post of the housing side walls, the main body being positioned adjacent a forward edge of the housing floor; and a cover having a ceiling, a rear wall and opposed side walls, each having at least one inwardly-extending finger received in a slot of one of the housing member side walls, the rear wall being positioned adjacent a rear edge of the housing floor; (b) an MPO adapter; (c) a plurality of optical fibers attached to the MPO adapter; and (d) a plurality of caps mounted in the bezels and attached to respective optical fibers.

Abstract: Methods of detecting a plug insertion into a plug aperture of a communications connector are provided in which a control signal is transmitted to a control signal input circuit of the connector that includes a reactive coupling element. The control signal is electromagnetically coupled through the control signal input circuit. The electromagnetically coupled control signal is thereafter detected on a first differential pair of conductive paths that are included in the connector. A determination is made that a plug is present in the plug aperture based at least in part on detecting the electromagnetically coupled control signal on the first differential pair of conductive paths.

Abstract: Communications jacks include a housing having a plug aperture that is configured to receive a mating RJ-45 plug along a longitudinal axis and eight jackwire contacts that are arranged as four differential pairs of jackwire contacts, each of the jackwire contacts including a plug contact region that extends into the plug aperture. A first of the jackwire contacts is configured to engage a longitudinally extending surface of a first blade of a mating RJ-45 plug when the mating RJ-45 plug is fully received within the plug aperture.

Abstract: Methods of detecting a plug insertion into a plug aperture of a communications connector are provided in which a control signal is received that is electromagnetically coupled across a plug aperture of the communications connector using a reactive coupling element. A determination may be made that a mating plug (e.g., an RJ-45 plug or a connector on a fiber optic jumper cable) has been inserted into the plug aperture based on this received control signal. Related connectors are also provided.

Abstract: A coaxial connector includes a surge protection component including a plurality of elongated members, a body portion that is configured to receive the surge protection component such that the elongated members extend along an outer surface thereof, and a center conductor disposed inside the body portion and spaced apart from the surge protection component so as to create a gap therebetween.

Abstract: Communications interfaces are provided that include a connector port that has housing that defines a plug aperture and at least first through eighth contacts that extend into the plug aperture. These communications interfaces further include an Ethernet interface (e.g., an Ethernet switch) and a multi-drop communication interface (e.g., an RS-485 transceiver). First through fourth conductive paths are provided that electrically connect the respective first through fourth contacts of the connector port to the Ethernet interface. Fifth and sixth conductive paths are provided that electrically connect the respective fifth and sixth contacts of the connector port to the multi-drop communication interface.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes first and second optical fibers. A fiber section surrounds the fibers and is formed of a first material. First and second strength members are adjacent to the fiber section on opposite sides thereof. A jacket surrounds the first and second strength members and fiber section. The jacket is formed of a second material, stronger than the first material and which does not adhere to the first material. The jacket may be manually torn open to access the fiber section. The fiber section may be manually pinched and stripped cleanly from the fibers. The fiber section acts as a cocoon to protect the fibers when the jacket is opened and cleanly pulls off of the fibers by manual force.

Abstract: A preconnectorized apparatus includes a housing and at least one F-style coaxial cable connector extending therefrom. Each connector has a connector body with a cable receiving end and an opposite forward end. A compression element coupled to the receiving end is movable between an unseated position and a seated position and is configured to secure a coaxial cable within the connector body when in the seated position. The connector includes a tubular inner contact post having a free end configured to be inserted into a prepared coaxial cable end. A receiving member positioned forward of the contact post is electrically connected to a circuit within the housing. The receiving member receives a center conductor of a coaxial cable inserted through the connector body cable receiving end and electrically connects the center conductor to the circuit.