Abstract: A fiber optic cable winding assist tool for securing, routing, and storing fiber optic cables in optical communications systems that quickly and simultaneously lifts the retainer fingers of a mandrel, without breaking them, and releases the retainer fingers once the fiber optic cables are safely within the retainer fingers. The winding assist tool is used with a base having at least one mandrel connected thereto, and may have a spacer disk connected to the mandrel. A spider frame is provided on the spacer disk or mandrel and includes a body portion and arm portions extending from the spider frame body portion. Each arm portion engages a corresponding retainer finger of the mandrel. A thumb screw having a head portion and a threaded portion mates with a threaded opening provided through the spider frame body portion and engages a top surface of the spacer disk.

Abstract: A fiber grating package which substantially reduces Bragg wavelength variations resulting from axial strain on a fiber. The package includes a fiber segment including a Bragg grating. The segment is fixed between two points separated by a distance less than the length of the segment. As a result, the grating is bent to allow bending or rotation of the segment in response to changes in the relative positions of the ends of the fiber segment. In one embodiment, the package may include a temperature control structure and control electronics for heating the grating to a stable desired temperature using temperature feedback. Electronic control can be internal or external to the package depending size requirements for the package.