Abstract: An optical amplifier module contains at least one optical amplifier. The module includes an internal housing having an outer dimension substantially equal to an outer dimension of an internal fiber splice housing of an undersea optical fiber cable joint. The internal housing includes a pair of opposing end faces each having a retaining element for retaining the internal housing within an outer housing of the undersea optical fiber cable joint. The internal housing also includes a sidewall interconnecting the opposing end faces, which extends between the opposing end faces in a longitudinal direction. The sidewall includes a receptacle portion having a plurality of thru-holes each being sized to receive a passive optical component employed in an optical amplifier.

Abstract: An undersea optical repeater is provided. The repeater includes a pressure vessel for use in an undersea environment. The pressure vessel includes a pressure housing and at least two cable reeving elements disposed on opposing ends of the pressure housing for respectively receiving ends of optical cables that each include an electrical conductor therein. The cable receiving elements are adapted to be in electrical contact with the respective electrical conductors in the optical cables. At least one optical amplifier is located in the pressure vessel. The optical amplifier includes at least one electrical component adapted to receive electrical power from the electrical conductors in the optical cables. The pressure housing includes a dielectric layer having sufficient dielectric properties for electrically isolating the cable receiving elements from one another to provide a voltage thereacross.

Abstract: An optical amplifier module is provided that contains at least one optical amplifier. The module includes an internal housing having an outer dimension substantially equal to an outer dimension of an internal fiber splice housing of an undersea optical fiber factory cable joint. The internal housing includes a pair of opposing end faces each having a retaining element for retaining the internal housing within an outer housing of the undersea optical fiber cable joint. The internal housing also includes a sidewall interconnecting the opposing end faces, which extends between the opposing end faces in a longitudinal direction. The sidewall includes a receptacle portion having a plurality of thru-holes each being sized to receive a passive optical component employed in an optical amplifier. The module also includes at least one circuit board on which reside electronics associated with the optical amplifier.

Abstract: A method for entering a market with high barriers to entry and a plurality of proprietary business elements includes converting at least one of the business elements into a universal business element that can accept a wide variety of inputs from other business elements, while converting a remaining one of the plurality of business elements to commoditized business elements. In addition, a market of a resulting business is limited so that the resulting business straddles a gap between two subdivisions of the market. Thus, a combination of technology and market division enables conversion of otherwise proprietary system to commodity equipment that can work with a wide variety of existing vendor equipment while competing technologically with highly engineered solutions.

Abstract: An hermetically sealed, optical fiber assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of optical fibers and a ferrule. The ferrule has a first aperture extending through a first end of the ferrule and a plurality of second apertures extending through a second end of ferrule opposing the first end of the ferrule such that a continuous passage is formed between the first aperture and each of the second apertures. The first aperture, which has a diameter greater than a diameter of the second apertures, is sufficiently large in size to receive the plurality of optical fibers therein. Each of the optical fibers traverses the first aperture and a respective one of the second apertures. An adhesive material secures each of the optical fibers to the first aperture and to the respective one of the second apertures. A solder material bonds each of the optical fibers to an entrance to the respective one of the second apertures.

Abstract: An undersea optical repeater is provided that includes a pressure vessel for use in an undersea environment. The pressure vessel has at least two cable-receiving elements for respectively receiving ends of optical cables that each includes an electrical conductor therein. At least one optical amplifier is located in the pressure vessel. The optical amplifier includes at least one electrical component adapted to receive electrical power from the electrical conductors in the optical cables. A dielectric envelope surrounds the pressure vessel to provide a hermetic seal therewith. The envelope includes a dielectric overmold surrounding at least a portion of the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A pressure vessel is provided for use in an undersea environment. The pressure vessel including a pressure housing and at least two cable receiving elements disposed on opposing ends of the pressure housing for respectively receiving ends of optical cables that each include an electrical conductor therein, said cable receiving elements adapted to be in electrical contact with the respective electrical conductors in the optical cables. At least one optical amplifier is located in the pressure vessel. The optical amplifier includes at least one electrical component adapted to receive electrical power from the electrical conductors in the optical cables. The pressure vessel also includes an electrically insulating element electrically isolating at least one of the cable receiving elements from the pressure housing.

Abstract: An optical amplifier module is provided that contains at least one optical amplifier. The module includes an internal housing having an outer dimension substantially equal to an outer dimension of an internal fiber splice housing of an undersea optical fiber cable joint. The internal housing includes a pair of opposing end faces each having a retaining element for retaining the internal housing within an outer housing of the undersea optical fiber cable joint. The internal housing also includes a sidewall interconnecting the opposing end faces, which extends between the opposing end faces in a longitudinal direction. The sidewall includes a receptacle portion having a plurality of thru-holes each being sized to receive a passive optical component employed in an optical amplifier. The module also includes at least one circuit board on which reside electronics associated with the optical amplifier.

Abstract: An optical amplifier module contains at least one optical amplifier. The module includes an internal housing having an outer dimension substantially equal to an outer dimension of an internal fiber splice housing of an undersea optical fiber cable joint. The internal housing includes a pair of opposing end faces each having a retaining element for retaining the internal housing within an outer housing of the undersea optical fiber cable joint. The internal housing also includes a sidewall interconnecting the opposing end faces, which extends between the opposing end faces in a longitudinal direction. The sidewall includes a receptacle portion having a plurality of thru-holes each being sized to receive a passive optical component employed in an optical amplifier.

Abstract: An optical repeater includes a plurality of optical amplifiers and a plurality of pump sources for providing pump energy to the plurality of optical amplifiers. The optical repeater also includes a coupling arrangement coupling the pump energy from the plurality of pump sources to the plurality of optical amplifiers so that the pump energy from each pump source is distributed among at least two of the plurality of optical amplifiers in a substantially unequal manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hermetically sealed module to be located in an external pressure vessel providing protection from external pressure in an undersea environment. The hermetically sealed module includes at least one optical amplifier and an hermetically sealed housing for containing the optical amplifier. The housing has a retaining element for retaining the housing within the external pressure vessel. The module also includes a plurality of ports for conveying into the housing, in an hermetically sealed manner, at least one optical fiber and a conductor incorporated in an undersea optical fiber cable. The conductor supplies electrical power to the optical amplifier. At least one conductive terminal is located in the housing for establishing electrical contact with the conductor traversing each of the plurality of ports. The conductive terminal supplies electrical power from the conductor to the optical amplifier.

Abstract: An optical amplifier module contains at least one optical amplifier. The module includes an internal housing having an outer dimension substantially equal to an outer dimension of an internal fiber splice housing of an undersea optical fiber cable joint. The internal housing includes a pair of opposing end faces each having a retaining element for retaining the internal housing within an outer housing of the undersea optical fiber cable joint. The internal housing also includes a sidewall interconnecting the opposing end faces, which extends between the opposing end faces in a longitudinal direction. The sidewall includes a receptacle portion having a plurality of thru-holes each being sized to receive a passive optical component employed in an optical amplifier.

Abstract: A connection switch jack has first and second sets of pins, and a set of spring contacts for connecting the first and second sets of pins when the spring contacts are in a normally closed position. The jack has a receptacle for receiving a plug having a plurality of plug contacts, wherein receipt of the plug connects corresponding plug contacts to selected pins of the first set of pins via the spring contacts and then moves the switch off of the normally closed position to break the contact between the first and second sets of pins.

Abstract: A cable retainer assembly for retaining cables in a cable trough includes an elongated member that can be detached and secured to a trough. The member has a receptacle disposed at least partially along a length of the member. In one embodiment, the receptacle is a U-shaped channel which extends along the length of the elongated member. A retainer includes a flange that can be inserted in the receptacle and is sidable along the length of the receptacle. A second channel is provided for detachably securing the elongated member to a cable trough. A third channel may be provided on a front face of the elongated member for retaining a designation chart. The chart may be marked to indicate cable designations.

Abstract: A digital cross-connect module with a housing formed of two portions which slidably engage one another. One of the portions includes tabs which engage slots formed in the other portion. The two portions are formed of plastic, so the module housing is lighter and easier to produce than conventional housings. The housing contains a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB has a first plurality of jacks adjacent the front of the housing and a second plurality of jacks adjacent the rear of the housing for cross-connecting digital signals.

Abstract: A jack assembly is provided in which the central body of the assembly includes integrally cast posts for aligning and securing follower springs, wiper springs and spacers. To assemble the jack, the follower springs, wiper springs and spacers are stacked onto the posts and then secured with a pushnut that engages the posts with a friction fit, avoiding separation from the central body.

Abstract: An assembly includes a collet including radially convergible jaws for receipt of an optical fiber threaded through the collet and outwardly from the rear opening of a housing containing the collet. The assembly comprises a container for a fluid for softening the plastic coating of a fiber extending through the assembly. When the plastic coating has softened, a barrel is screwed inwardly of the housing and against a surface of the collet for causing convergence of, and grasping of the plastic coating by, the collet jaws. The assembly is then moved axially of the fiber for stripping the softened plastic coating from a front end of the fiber.