Abstract: In an optical fiber monitoring system which detects physical disturbance or other parameters such as temperature or strain of a fiber where a monitor signal is transmitted along the optical fiber and analyzed to detect changes which are indicative of an event, a method is provided for periodically checking proper operation of the optical fiber monitoring system. A fiber disturbance actuator periodically causes a pattern of disturbances of a portion of the fiber at a predetermined location thereon where the disturbance is characteristic of the event to be monitored. The monitor signal is analyzed to detect the pattern of changes and in the event that expected changes are not detected, a warning is issued that the intrusion detection system is not properly operating.

Abstract: An asset management apparatus includes an asset to be monitored such as a secure network and a monitoring system including at least one sensor responsive to events which are potentially damaging or threatening to the asset such as an intrusion. A control system is responsive to the sensor to provide an alarm output indicative of the event and includes data relating to the asset and the location of the at least one sensor therein. A portable display system for a first responder is provided to allow the first responder to carry the display system and the control system includes a communication component operating for displaying on the display system to the first responder while carried at the site at least some of the data or have access to the data relating to the asset at the site so that the first responder can associate the data relating to the site with the actual site.

Abstract: In an optical fiber monitoring system which detects physical disturbance or other parameters such as temperature or strain of a fiber where a monitor signal is transmitted along the optical fiber and analyzed to detect changes which are indicative of an event, a method is provided for periodically checking proper operation of the optical fiber monitoring system. A fiber disturbance actuator periodically causes a pattern of disturbances of a portion of the fiber at a predetermined location thereon where the disturbance is characteristic of the event to be monitored. The monitor signal is analyzed to detect the pattern of changes and in the event that expected changes are not detected, a warning is issued that the intrusion detection system is not properly operating.

Abstract: An asset management apparatus includes an asset to be monitored such as a secure network and a monitoring system including at least one sensor responsive to events which are potentially damaging or threatening to the asset such as an intrusion. A control system is responsive to the sensor to provide an alarm output indicative of the event and includes data relating to the asset and the location of the at least one sensor therein. A portable display system for a first responder is provided to allow the first responder to carry the display system and the control system includes a communication component operating for displaying on the display system to the first responder while carried at the site at least some of the data or have access to the data relating to the asset at the site so that the first responder can associate the data relating to the site with the actual site.

Abstract: A cleaning tool for cleaning internal optical components of a fiber optic connector includes a cleaning strip that is advanced past one or more optical surfaces of the connector to wipe the connector free of contaminants. The cleaning tool includes a drive mechanism that is operated by rotating a drive, thereby advancing the cleaning strip along a cleaning strip path and into contact with the one or more optical surfaces. The cleaning tool comprises a cleaning tip that functions to place the cleaning strip in proper alignment within the connector in order to clean the optical surfaces that are not available for cleaning at the endface of the connector. Alignment features are provided in the cleaning tip to properly position the cleaning strip relative the optical surfaces.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for providing secure fiber optic connections are disclosed. In one embodiment, a locking apparatus comprising a locking plate to secure fiber optic connections is disclosed. The locking plate is configured to be attached to a fiber optic adapter panel and adjustably positioned to a selected position such that when a fiber optic connector on the end of a fiber optic cable is connected to a fiber optic adapter on the fiber optic adapter panel, the fiber optic cable is allowed to pass through a cut-out area of the locking plate but a finger portion of the locking plate does not allow the fiber optic connector to pass through the cut-out area. A lock disposed on the locking plate is configured to keep the locking plate in the selected position. The locking apparatus may also be used to securely store unused or unconnected ports of an optical splitter in a separate enclosure, such as a parking lot compartment.

Abstract: Connectors and cable assemblies having a label stored in a label storage area of a component of the connector along with methods for making the same are disclosed. The label is extendable from the label storage area with a label length that is longer than a length of the label storage area, thereby providing the craft with adequate space for marking information. Suitable components of the connector for the label storage area include housings, boots, clips and the like. Further, the label storage area protects the label from damage while also maintaining a relatively small footprint for the connector.

Abstract: Connectors and cable assemblies having a label stored in a label storage area of a component of the connector along with methods for making the same are disclosed. The label is extendable from the label storage area with a label length that is longer than a length of the label storage area, thereby providing the craft with adequate space for marking information. Suitable components of the connector for the label storage area include housings, boots, clips and the like. Further, the label storage area protects the label from damage while also maintaining a relatively small footprint for the connector.

Abstract: A cleaning tool for cleaning internal optical components of a fiber optic connector includes a cleaning strip that is advanced past one or more optical surfaces of the connector to wipe the connector free of contaminants. The cleaning tool includes a drive mechanism that is operated by rotating a drive, thereby advancing the cleaning strip along a cleaning strip path and into contact with the one or more optical surfaces. The cleaning tool comprises a cleaning tip that functions to place the cleaning strip in proper alignment within the connector in order to clean the optical surfaces that are not available for cleaning at the endface of the connector. Alignment features are provided in the cleaning tip to properly position the cleaning strip relative the optical surfaces.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for providing secure fiber optic connections are disclosed. In one embodiment, a locking apparatus comprising a locking plate to secure fiber optic connections is disclosed. The locking plate is configured to be attached to a fiber optic adapter panel and adjustably positioned to a selected position such that when a fiber optic connector on the end of a fiber optic cable is connected to a fiber optic adapter on the fiber optic adapter panel, the fiber optic cable is allowed to pass through a cut-out area of the locking plate but a finger portion of the locking plate does not allow the fiber optic connector to pass through the cut-out area. A lock disposed on the locking plate is configured to keep the locking plate in the selected position. The locking apparatus may also be used to securely store unused or unconnected ports of an optical splitter in a separate enclosure, such as a parking lot compartment.

Abstract: A fiber optic apparatus,with a panel, having a front and a back and mountable in a chassis is disclosed. The panel has a parking port in the back adapted to removably receive an adapter. The panel also has a connection port in the front adapted to removably receive the adapter. The adapter is selectively movable between the parking port and the connection port. One end of the adapter opens toward the front and another end of the adapter opens toward the back. The adapter is removably received in the parking port, and a connector attached to a fiber optic cable inserts in the end opening toward the back. The adapter then may be moved from the parking port to the connection port and removably received in the connection port. Another connector attached to another fiber optic cable may be inserted in the other end of the adapter opening toward the front.