Abstract: A system includes an optical fiber cross-connect module with upstream ports and downstream ports, a first set of optical fibers connected from optical line terminals to the upstream ports, and a second set of optical fibers connected to the downstream ports and a customer optical network unit. The optical line terminals provide multiple wavelengths carrying optical signals at different bitrates over the first set of optical fibers. The customer optical network unit includes a tunable filter configured to receive any one of the multiple wavelengths. The optical fiber cross-connect module divides the optical signals received at each of the upstream ports into each of the downstream ports, and the customer optical network unit may be tuned to pass through a particular wavelength from the multiple wavelengths.

Abstract: A termination ferrule includes a ferrule body and a ferrule plate. The ferrule body includes multiple bores arranged to align with a pattern of lasers in a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) array. Each of the multiple bores includes an entry diameter sized for an optical fiber with a protective coating and an exit diameter sized for a portion of the optical fiber without the protective coating. The ferrule plate includes multiple holes arranged to align with the pattern of lasers in the VCSEL array. Each of the multiple holes includes a hole diameter sized to receive the portion of the optical fiber without the protective coating. The ferrule plate is secured between the VCSEL array and the ferrule body, and the ferrule plate includes a thickness sufficient to create a gap between each laser in the VCSEL array and the corresponding optical fiber.

Abstract: A system includes an optical fiber cross-connect module with upstream ports and downstream ports, a first set of optical fibers connected from optical line terminals to the upstream ports, and a second set of optical fibers connected to the downstream ports and a customer optical network unit. The optical line terminals provide multiple wavelengths carrying optical signals at different bitrates over the first set of optical fibers. The customer optical network unit includes a tunable filter configured to receive any one of the multiple wavelengths. The optical fiber cross-connect module divides the optical signals received at each of the upstream ports into each of the downstream ports, and the customer optical network unit may be tuned to pass through a particular wavelength from the multiple wavelengths.

Abstract: A cable, and method and system for deploying the cable are described. The cable includes a jacket having a plurality of outer grooves formed on its outer surface. The cable can be deployed by blowing it through a microduct using a jetting apparatus. The outer grooves allow the cable to be deployed over extended distance by allow improved airflow between the first and second ends of the microduct.

Abstract: A termination ferrule includes a ferrule body and a ferrule plate. The ferrule body includes multiple bores arranged to align with a pattern of lasers in a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) array. Each of the multiple bores includes an entry diameter sized for an optical fiber with a protective coating and an exit diameter sized for a portion of the optical fiber without the protective coating. The ferrule plate includes multiple holes arranged to align with the pattern of lasers in the VCSEL array. Each of the multiple holes includes a hole diameter sized to receive the portion of the optical fiber without the protective coating. The ferrule plate is secured between the VCSEL array and the ferrule body, and the ferrule plate includes a thickness sufficient to create a gap between each laser in the VCSEL array and the corresponding optical fiber.

Abstract: An attenuator device includes a housing that forms a channel configured to receive an optical fiber. The optical fiber includes a first fused fiber tap for a first signal direction and a second fused fiber tap for a second signal direction. The attenuator device also includes (a) a first bend control region, in series with the channel and aligned with the first fused fiber tap; (b) a first bend-inducing object that moves to selectively contact the first fused fiber tap in the first bend control region to alter a bend radius at the first fused fiber tap; (c) a second bend control region, in series with the channel and aligned with the second fused fiber tap; and (d) a second bend-inducing object that moves to selectively contact the second fused fiber tap in the second bend control region to alter a bend radius at the second fused fiber tap.

Abstract: A cable assembly may include a plurality of cable connectors and a cable jacket. Each cable connector may include a ferrule and a cable boot. Each ferrule may have a ferrule passage between a leading end and a trailing end and may be configured to receive an optical fiber. Each cable boot may include a first end with a recess configured to receive at least a portion of the ferrule and a second end having a boot passage connected to the recess and configured to receive at least a portion of the optical fiber. The cable jacket may include a jacket passage between a first portion and a second portion and may be configured to selectively release the plurality of cable connectors in the first configuration and receive the plurality of cable connectors in the second configuration.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly may include a fiber optic cable that has a jacket and a plurality of optical fibers enclosed by and extending longitudinally within the jacket. The fiber optic cable assembly may also include a micro-duct disposed around at least a portion of the jacket, for example, where the cable is buried below grade. The fiber optic cable assembly may further include an insulating layer disposed around at least a portion of the micro-duct, and an outer layer disposed around the insulating layer. The insulating layer and the outer layer may protect the micro-duct and the cable in the event of high temperature exposure that may arise from nearby high temperature utilities, such as in a manhole, as well as to enable the fiber optic cable to be air jetted through the micro-duct from a starting point to a terminating point of a cable routing path.

Abstract: A cable assembly may include a plurality of cable connectors and a cable jacket. Each cable connector may include a ferrule and a cable boot. Each ferrule may have a ferrule passage between a leading end and a trailing end and may be configured to receive an optical fiber. Each cable boot may include a first end with a recess configured to receive at least a portion of the ferrule and a second end having a boot passage connected to the recess and configured to receive at least a portion of the optical fiber. The cable jacket may include a jacket passage between a first portion and a second portion and may be configured to selectively release the plurality of cable connectors in the first configuration and receive the plurality of cable connectors in the second configuration.

Abstract: An alignment fixture is configured to receive a group of optical fibers with each of the optical fibers having a coating and a bare fiber end. The fixture includes a first end configured to permit insertion of the optical fibers into a body of the fixture and a second end configured to align the bare fiber ends of the optical fibers in a particular arrangement. The fixture includes channels extending from the first end to the second end. An insertion point of each channel is at least twice the diameter of a coating of the one of the optical fibers. An exit point of each channel is narrower than the insertion point and is configured to position the bare fiber end of the optical fiber in the particular arrangement within a desired tolerance relative to other optical fibers. The alignment fixture enables easy splice alignment and protection in the field.

Abstract: A cut sleeve for a fiber optic connector adapter includes a cylinder having a discontinuity along an axial length of cylinder. The discontinuity is distributed around at least half of a circumference of the cylinder. The cylinder is sized to receive a first fiber ferrule and a second fiber ferrule with cross-sections having a same size minimum bounding circle.

Abstract: A system includes an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) that injects a first OTDR signal at a first optical wavelength, a first power level and a first polarization state into an optical fiber. The system further includes an OTDR monitor that monitors multi-band optical signals on the optical fiber, selects a second power level and a second polarization state based on the monitoring of the multi-band optical signals, and determines parameters associated with the optical fiber based on the monitoring. The OTDR injects a second OTDR signal at the first optical wavelength, the selected second power level and the selected second polarization state into the optical fiber. The system operates to allow un-balanced power levels across multiple wavelength bands to be balanced due to inter-channel Raman power shift.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system are disclosed for housing and terminating various cables. The apparatus is mounted on a base, which allows it to be pivoted to different positions. The apparatus includes a portion capable of receiving a cable containing various types of wires. A patch panel is provided on a track assembly in order allow various operations such as termination of the wires. The apparatus can remain above ground, or positioned below ground when not being accessed.

Abstract: A hybrid optical fiber cable is disclosed for supplying both signals and power. The hybrid optical fiber cable includes an inner jacket and an outer jacket. Multiple power supply lines and optical fiber signal lines are disposed within the inner jacket. The optical fiber signal lines are used only for transmitting video, data, voice, and/or control signals through the hybrid optical fiber cable. A grounding portion is also provided between the inner jacket and the outer jacket in order to provide a return current path for the hybrid optical fiber cable.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system are disclosed for cutting materials such as concrete. The apparatus includes a mounting assembly, and a pair of blades that are mounted at an end of the mounting assembly. Various types of driving assemblies can be provided to supply the force necessary to rotate the two blades. The distance between the blades can also be varied in order to adjust the width of the cut.

Abstract: A system includes an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) that injects a first OTDR signal at a first optical wavelength, a first power level and a first polarization state into an optical fiber. The system further includes an OTDR monitor that monitors multi-band optical signals on the optical fiber, selects a second power level and a second polarization state based on the monitoring of the multi-band optical signals, and determines parameters associated with the optical fiber based on the monitoring. The OTDR injects a second OTDR signal at the first optical wavelength, the selected second power level and the selected second polarization state into the optical fiber. The system operates to allow un-balanced power levels across multiple wavelength bands to be balanced due to inter-channel Raman power shift.

Abstract: An approach for providing dedicated service in a passive optical network (PON) is described. A dedicated service generates a multi-wavelength optical signal comprising a plurality of sub-signals corresponding to carrier wavelengths, modulate the plurality of sub-signals simultaneously with a content signal and transmit the plurality of sub-signals to one or more respective subscribers over an optical distribution network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for splitting an initiated signal are disclosed. An exemplary system may include a transmitter configured to selectively transmit an initiated signal, and a signal splitter in communication with the transmitter. The signal splitter may be configured to selectively split the initiated signal into a plurality of recipient signals for a plurality of recipient lines in communication with the transmitter. The signal splitter may be configured to selectively modify a number of recipient signals, e.g., by adjusting a spot size of the initiated signal on the signal splitter.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system are disclosed for testing various properties of a sample, such as a cable or duct. The apparatus includes a duct and a plurality of radius controlling units. The radius controlling units are used to generate bends having a desired bending radius at different sections of the duct. Sensors are provided to measuring different forces and conditions of the sample or the duct. A controller can be provided for receiving sensor measurements and controlling various aspects of the test.

Abstract: A first optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) connects at a first location along an optical path between multiple optical transmitters and multiple optical receivers in an optical network. An optical filter, connects along the optical path, and includes multiple selectable optical wavelength blockers. A set of different length optical fibers is installed in multiple last fiber legs in the optical path. A controller selects ones of the multiple selectable wavelength blockers of the optical filter for insertion in the optical path; instructs the first OTDR to inject a first OTDR signal at the first location; receive, from the first OTDR, indications of whether a reflection of the first OTDR signal was received from each of the multiple optical receivers; and identifies faults in the optical network based on the received indications whether the reflection of the first OTDR signal was received from each of the multiple OTDR reflectors.