Abstract: A rollable optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical transmission elements, wherein each optical transmission element includes an optical core surrounded by a cladding of a different refractive index than the optical core, the cladding surrounded by a fiber coating layer, the fiber coating layer having an inner surface contacting the cladding and an outer surface defining an exterior surface of the optical transmission elements; and a coupling element coupled to and supporting the plurality of optical transmission elements in an array. The coupling element forms a chevron pattern and is formed from a flexible polymeric material such that the plurality of optical transmission elements are reversibly movable from an unrolled position in which the plurality of optical transmission elements are substantially aligned with each other to a rolled position.

Abstract: An optical communication cable and related systems and methods are provided. The optical cable includes a plurality of wrapped core elements, and the outer surfaces of adjacent wrapped core elements are joined together by discrete bond sections. The discrete bonds sections may be structures such as laser welds, ultrasonic welds, or adhesive material. The discrete bonds hold the wrapped core elements together in the wrapped pattern, such as an SZ stranding pattern.

Abstract: A cable-stranding apparatus includes a stationary guide, a motor, a driven guide, and a controller electrically coupled to the motor. The stationary guide is configured to guide strand elements in a spaced-apart configuration and to pass a core member. The motor is operatively associated with a guide driver. The driven guide is disposed at least partially within the guide driver so as to rotate therewith. The driven guide is configured to receive the strand elements from the stationary guide, individually guide the strand elements received from the stationary guide, and to further pass the core member. The controller is electrically coupled to the motor and configured to control the rotational speed and direction of the motor.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes core elements, a composite film surrounding the core elements, and a jacket surrounding the composite film. The core elements include one or more optical fibers and at least one tube surrounding the one or more optical fibers. The composite film includes a first layer adjoining a second layer, where the composition of the second layer differs from the first. The composite film is relatively thin, having an average thickness over a 10-meter length of the cable that is less than half an average thickness of the jacket over the 10-meter length.

Abstract: A crush resistant, kink resistant optical cable including crush resistant, kink resistant optical fiber buffer tubes and systems and method for making the same are provided. The buffer tubes include a depression pattern formed along the outer surface of the buffer tube. The depression pattern provides areas of decreased thickness in the buffer tube facilitating flexibility and kink resistance. The system and method relates to laser ablation for forming the depression pattern in the buffer tube.

Abstract: A flexible optical ribbon and associated systems and methods of manufacturing are provided. The ribbon includes a plurality of optical transmission elements and an inner layer comprising a cross-linked polymer material and an outer surface. The outer surface of the inner layer includes first areas having first concentrations of uncrosslinked polymer material and second areas having second concentrations of uncrosslinked polymer material. The first concentrations are greater than the second concentrations. The ribbon includes an outer polymer layer having an inner surface interfacing with the outer surface of the inner layer. The outer polymer layer has a higher level of bonding to the inner layer at the first areas than at the second areas due to the ability of the outer polymer material to bond or crosslink with the larger numbers of uncrosslinked polymer material in the first areas.

Abstract: A cable-stranding apparatus includes a stationary guide, a motor, a driven guide, and a controller electrically coupled to the motor. The stationary guide is configured to guide strand elements in a spaced-apart configuration and to pass a core member. The motor is operatively associated with a guide driver. The driven guide is disposed at least partially within the guide driver so as to rotate therewith. The driven guide is configured to receive the strand elements from the stationary guide, individually guide the strand elements received from the stationary guide, and to further pass the core member. The controller is electrically coupled to the motor and configured to control the rotational speed and direction of the motor.

Abstract: Cables are constructed with embedded discontinuities in the cable jacket that allow the jacket to be torn to provide access to the cable core. The discontinuities can be longitudinally extending strips of polymer material coextruded in the cable jacket.

Abstract: Cables are constructed with embedded discontinuities in the cable jacket that allow the jacket to be torn to provide access to the cable core. The discontinuities can be longitudinally extending strips of polymer material coextruded in the cable jacket.

Abstract: A flexible optical ribbon and associated method is provided. The ribbon includes a plurality of optical transmission elements and a polymeric ribbon body surrounding the plurality of optical transmission elements. The ribbon body includes a plurality of recesses formed in the ribbon body, and each recess has a depth extending from the first major surface toward the plurality of optical transmission elements and a length extending along the ribbon body between a first recess end and a second recess end. The first recess end is defined by a concave curved surface of the polymeric ribbon body.

Abstract: A fiber optic ribbon includes optical fibers, each including a core surrounded by cladding, and edge bonding rigidly connecting the optical fibers to one. The ribbon further includes a stress-isolation layer surrounding the optical fibers and edge bonding, and a hardened shell surrounding the stress-isolation layer. The edge bonding mitigates independent movement of the optical fibers relative to one another within the stress-isolation layer. At 25° Celsius and at sea level, the Young's modulus of elasticity of the hardened shell is, on average, at least twice that of the stress-isolation layer.

Abstract: A fiber optic ribbon includes optical fibers, each including a core surrounded by cladding, and edge bonding rigidly connecting the optical fibers to one. The ribbon further includes a stress-isolation layer surrounding the optical fibers and edge bonding, and a hardened shell surrounding the stress-isolation layer. The edge bonding mitigates independent movement of the optical fibers relative to one another within the stress-isolation layer. At 25° Celsius and at sea level, the Young's modulus of elasticity of the hardened shell is, on average, at least twice that of the stress-isolation layer.

Abstract: A fiber optic ribbon includes optical fibers, each including a core surrounded by cladding, and edge bonding rigidly connecting the optical fibers to one. The ribbon further includes a stress-isolation layer surrounding the optical fibers and edge bonding, and a hardened shell surrounding the stress-isolation layer. The edge bonding mitigates independent movement of the optical fibers relative to one another within the stress-isolation layer. At 25° Celsius and at sea level, the Young's modulus of elasticity of the hardened shell is, on average, at least twice that of the stress-isolation layer.

Abstract: An optical communication cable and related systems and methods are provided. The optical cable includes a plurality of wrapped core elements, and the outer surfaces of adjacent wrapped core elements are joined together by discrete bond sections. The discrete bonds sections may be structures such as laser welds, ultrasonic welds, or adhesive material. The discrete bonds hold the wrapped core elements together in the wrapped pattern, such as an SZ stranding pattern.

Abstract: An optical communication cable is provided. The optical communications cable includes a cable body having an outer surface, an inner surface and a channel defined by the inner surface. An optical transmission element is located in the channel. The cable includes an ink layer positioned on the outer surface of the cable body, and the ink layer is formed from charged ink droplets adhered to the outer surface of the cable body. The cable also includes a translucent layer coupled to the outer surface of the cable body over the ink layer such that the ink layer is located between the outer surface of the cable body and an inner surface of the translucent layer.

Abstract: Cables are constructed a jacket having an inner section within the cable jacket that facilitates access to the cable core, and which can be removed at the end of the cable during connectorization. The inner section is removed at the end of the cable to create a cavity in which fiber(s) in the cable core can buckle during connectorization to reduce strain on the fibers.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes core elements, a composite film surrounding the core elements, and a jacket surrounding the composite film. The core elements include one or more optical fibers and at least one tube surrounding the one or more optical fibers. The composite film includes a first layer adjoining a second layer, where the composition of the second layer differs from the first. The composite film is relatively thin, having an average thickness over a 10-meter length of the cable that is less than half an average thickness of the jacket over the 10-meter length.

Abstract: An optical cable includes a cable body having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a lumen. The cable body has a profile feature formed on the outer surface, wherein the profile feature includes a trough that extends longitudinally between a first buttress and a second buttress, the first buttress and the second buttress having a radial height. The trough defines a continuous concave surface between the first buttress and the second buttress that is recessed below the radial height. An ink layer is adhered to the concave surface, wherein the ink layer forms alphanumeric characters that provide information related to the optical cable.

Abstract: An optical cable is provided. The optical cable includes a cable body having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a lumen and one or more optical transmission elements located within the lumen. The optical cable includes a groove array comprising a plurality of grooves located on the outer surface of the cable body. Each groove defines a trough having a lower surface located between peaks on either side of the trough, and the groove array includes an average groove spacing. The optical cable includes an ink layer applied to the cable body at the location of the groove array. The groove array and the ink layer are formed to limit abrasion experienced by the ink layer.

Abstract: An optical cable includes a cable body having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a lumen. The cable body has a profile feature formed on the outer surface, wherein the profile feature includes a trough that extends longitudinally between a first buttress and a second buttress, the first buttress and the second buttress having a radial height. The trough defines a continuous concave surface between the first buttress and the second buttress that is recessed below the radial height. An ink layer is adhered to the concave surface, wherein the ink layer forms alphanumeric characters that provide information related to the optical cable.