Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a jacket forming a cavity therein, the jacket having an indentation on the exterior thereof that forms a ridge extending into the cavity along the length of the jacket; and a stack of fiber optic ribbons located in the cavity, each ribbon having a plurality of optical fibers arranged side-by-side with one another and coupled to one another in a common matrix, wherein corners of the ribbon stack pass by the ridge at intermittent locations along the length of the jacket, and wherein interaction between the ridge and the ribbon stack facilitates coupling of the ribbon stack to the jacket.

Abstract: An optical cable includes a core member and a plurality of strands wound around the core member in an SZ configuration, the SZ configuration having at least two reversal sections and a helical section extending along a longitudinal length between the at least two reversal sections. A helical lay length of the wound strands is variable along the longitudinal length of the helical section. A method of forming an optical cable includes providing a core member and surrounding the core member with a plurality of strands by winding the strands in an SZ configuration that includes a helical section extending longitudinally between at least two reversal sections.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly includes a distribution cable and a tether cable. The distribution cable includes a jacket having a generally flat profile such that the periphery of the distribution cable, when viewed in cross-section, includes two major surfaces of the jacket that are generally flat and are connected by arcuate end surfaces of the jacket. The jacket defines a cavity therein. Further, the distribution cable includes strength members embedded in the jacket and positioned on opposing sides of the cavity. The distribution cable includes a plurality of optical fibers extending through the cavity. The tether cable includes an optical fiber that is fusion spliced to one of the optical fibers of the distribution cable by way of an opening in a side of the jacket of the distribution cable.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a jacket, an element of the cable interior to the jacket, and first and second powders. The element includes a first surface and a second surface. The cable further includes a third surface interior to the jacket and facing the first surface at a first interface and a fourth surface interior to the jacket and facing the second surface at a second interface. At least one of the third and fourth surfaces is spaced apart from the jacket. The first powder is integrated with at least one of the first and third surfaces at the first interface and the second powder integrated with at least one of the second and fourth surfaces at the second interface. The first interface has greater coupling than the second interface at least in part due to differences in the first and second powders.

Abstract: An optical communication cable includes a central strength member, at least one optical fiber, a buffer tube surrounding the at least one optical fiber; and at least one non-solid filler tube defining a cavity, wherein the cavity contains a water-blocking component and no optical fibers, and wherein the buffer tube and the filler tube are stranded about the central strength member.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a jacket, a pair of strength members, and an optical fiber. The jacket has a cavity, a major dimension and a minor dimension, and a medial portion. The strength members are disposed on opposing sides of the cavity and impart a preferential bend characteristic to the cable. The at least one optical fiber is disposed within the cavity. The jacket includes preferential tear portions disposed between a respective strength member and the medial portion, for separating the strength members from the medial portion.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes an optical fiber, strength components disposed on opposite sides of the optical fiber, and a polymeric cable jacket. The optical fiber includes a glass core, a glass cladding, and a polymer coating. The cable jacket surrounds the optical fiber and the strength components. Further, the cable jacket is tightly drawn onto the optical fiber, where excess fiber length of the optical fiber is such that positive strain is present in the optical fiber at room temperature (25° C.).

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a jacket forming a cavity therein, a stack of fiber optic ribbons located in the cavity, and a strength member embedded in the jacket. The jacket forms a ridge extending into the cavity lengthwise along the fiber optic cable. The ribbon stack is spiraled through the cavity such that corners of the ribbon stack pass by the ridge at intermittent locations along the length of the cable, where interactions between the ridge and the corners of the ribbon stack facilitate coupling of the ribbon stack to the jacket.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a jacket, an element of the cable interior to the jacket, and first and second powders. The element includes a first surface and a second surface. The cable further includes a third surface interior to the jacket and facing the first surface at a first interface and a fourth surface interior to the jacket and facing the second surface at a second interface. At least one of the third and fourth surfaces is spaced apart from the jacket. The first powder is integrated with at least one of the first and third surfaces at the first interface and the second powder integrated with at least one of the second and fourth surfaces at the second interface. The first interface has greater coupling than the second interface at least in part due to differences in the first and second powders.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a jacket forming a cavity therein, a stack of fiber optic ribbons located in the cavity, and a strength member embedded in the jacket. The jacket forms a ridge extending into the cavity lengthwise along the fiber optic cable. The ribbon stack is spiraled through the cavity such that corners of the ribbon stack pass by the ridge at intermittent locations along the length of the cable, where interactions between the ridge and the corners of the ribbon stack facilitate coupling of the ribbon stack to the jacket.

Abstract: A drop cable includes a jacket, first and second support members, and at least one optical fiber. The jacket has a oval-shaped cavity defined therein, where the minor dimension of the cavity is as small as about 0.25 mm and wherein the major dimension of the cavity is in a range of 0.25 mm to 10 mm. The first and second support members are arranged on opposing sides of the cavity and run generally longitudinally. The optical fiber is within the cavity and has a length greater than a length of the drop cable. Further, the optical fiber is in a substantially serpentine configuration in the cavity, where the serpentine configuration is substantially along a plane defined by a major axis of the oval-shape of the cavity.

Abstract: A fiber optic ribbon cable includes a jacket of the cable, the jacket having a cavity defined therein, an optical element including an optical fiber and extending within the cavity of the jacket, and a dry water-blocking element extending along the optical element within the cavity. The dry water-blocking element is wrapped around the optical element with at least a portion of the dry water-blocking element disposed between another portion of the dry water-blocking element and the optical element, thereby defining an overlapping portion of the dry water-blocking element. The optical element interfaces with the overlapping portion to provide direct or indirect coupling between the optical element and the jacket.

Abstract: A fiber optic ribbon cable includes a jacket of the cable, the jacket having a cavity defined therein, an optical element including an optical fiber and extending within the cavity of the jacket, and a dry water-blocking element extending along the optical element within the cavity. The dry water-blocking element is wrapped around the optical element with at least a portion of the dry water-blocking element disposed between another portion of the dry water-blocking element and the optical element, thereby defining an overlapping portion of the dry water-blocking element. The optical element interfaces with the overlapping portion to provide direct or indirect coupling between the optical element and the jacket.

Abstract: A drop cable includes a jacket, first and second support members, and at least one optical fiber. The jacket has a oval-shaped cavity defined therein, where the minor dimension of the cavity is as small as about 0.25 mm and wherein the major dimension of the cavity is in a range of 0.25 mm to 10 mm. The first and second support members are arranged on opposing sides of the cavity and run generally longitudinally. The optical fiber is within the cavity and has a length greater than a length of the drop cable. Further, the optical fiber is in a substantially serpentine configuration in the cavity, where the serpentine configuration is substantially along a plane defined by a major axis of the oval-shape of the cavity.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes an optical fiber, strength components disposed on opposite sides of the optical fiber, and a polymeric cable jacket. The optical fiber includes a glass core, a glass cladding, and a polymer coating. The cable jacket surrounds the optical fiber and the strength components. Further, the cable jacket is tightly drawn onto the optical fiber, where excess fiber length of the optical fiber is such that positive strain is present in the optical fiber at room temperature (25° C.).

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a tube, a stack of fiber optic ribbons twisting along a lengthwise axis through the tube, a support, and water-blocking tape positioned at least partially around the stack, between the stack and the tube. The support and water-blocking tape provide an elevated portion of the water-blocking tape that is raised. As the stack twists along the lengthwise axis of the tube, corners of the stack interface with the elevated portion to provide intermittent frictional coupling between the stack and the tube.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a tube, a stack of fiber optic ribbons twisting along a lengthwise axis through the tube, and water-blocking tape positioned at least partially around the stack, between the stack and the tube. The water-blocking tape is folded such that an elevated portion of the water-blocking tape is raised. As the stack twists along the lengthwise axis of the tube, corners of the stack interface with the elevated portion to provide intermittent frictional coupling between the stack and the tube.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a strength member, tubes coupled to the strength member, and optical fibers. The strength member provides tensile and anti-buckling strength. The tubes have a cavity into which the optical fibers are packed. The cable is stretchable in that the optical fibers experience less than 0.5 dB/km of increased average attenuation at 1310 nanometers wavelength when the cable experiences strain of up to 2×10?3.

Abstract: Cables have reduced freespace, reduced tube diameters, and reduced strength member diameters. The cables are designed to pass robustness testing such as GR-20 while using smaller amounts of raw materials to produce.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a strength member, tubes coupled to the strength member, and optical fibers. The strength member provides tensile and anti-buckling strength. The tubes have a cavity into which the optical fibers are packed. The cable is stretchable in that the optical fibers experience less than 0.5 dB/km of increased average attenuation at 1310 nanometers wavelength when the cable experiences strain of up to 2×10?3.