Abstract: An optical fiber connection system includes a first and a second optical fiber, each with end portions that are terminated by a first and a second fiber optic connector, respectively. A fiber optic adapter connects the first and the second fiber optic connectors. A fiber alignment apparatus includes V-blocks and gel blocks. Each of the fiber optic connectors includes a connector housing and a sheath. The end portions of the optical fibers are positioned beyond distal ends of the respective connector housings. The sheath is slidably connected to the connector housing and slides between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration. The sheath covers the end portion of the respective optical fiber when the sheath is at the extended configuration and exposes the end portion when at the retracted configuration. The end portions of the optical fibers are cleaned when slid between the V-blocks and the gel blocks.

Abstract: A fiber optic alignment device includes two alignment blocks and two gel blocks. A fiber passage is adapted to receive a first optical fiber through the first end and a second optical fiber through the second end. An intermediate portion is adapted to align the first and the second optical fibers between the first and the second alignment blocks. A first portion of the fiber passage extends between the first alignment block and the first gel block. A second portion of the fiber passage extends between the second alignment block and the second gel block. End portions of the first and the second optical fibers may be cleaned when slid between the alignment blocks and the gel blocks. The fiber passage may include an undulating portion.

Abstract: A tool set for terminating an optical fiber with a fiber optic connector includes a crimping tool and a polishing tool. The crimping tool includes a locating feature for locating a housing of the fiber optic connector, a stop for locating an end of an optical fiber relative to the housing, and at least one anvil for crimping a crimp of the fiber optic connector to secure a position of the optical fiber relative to the housing. The polishing tool includes a locating feature for locating the housing and thereby locating the end of the optical fiber and a seat for activating a compression member of the fiber optic connector thereby securing the end of the optical fiber to the polishing tool.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a front housing having sidewalls each defining a slot and a rear insert with a pair of locking flanges extending radially away, the locking flanges configured to snap-fit into the slots, each locking flange defining a front face and a rear face, the radially outermost portion of the rear face defining an edge, the edge being the rearmost extending portion of the locking flange. Another fiber optic connector includes a front housing defining a front opening at a front end, a circular rear opening at a rear end, and an internal cavity extending therebetween. A rear insert including a generally cylindrical front portion is inserted into the front housing through the circular rear opening, the front portion defining at least one longitudinal flat configured to reduce the overall diameter of the generally cylindrical front portion configured to be inserted into the front housing.

Abstract: A fiber optic telecommunications device includes a frame defining a right vertical support and a left vertical support. A chassis is mounted to the right and left vertical supports, wherein the chassis is configured to pivot about a pivot axis that is defined by one of the right and left vertical supports. A plurality of modules are mounted on the chassis, each of the modules slidable on the chassis along a direction extending between the right and left vertical supports, wherein the chassis is configured to pivot about a plane parallel to the sliding direction of the modules, each module defining fiber optic connection locations.

Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule assembly includes a ferrule with an axial passage, an insert with an axial passage, and a hub with an axial passage. The axial passage of the ferrule includes a first diameter portion having a diameter of at least 125 microns, and the axial passage of the insert includes a second diameter portion having a diameter of at least 250 microns. The axial passage of the hub holds at least a portion of the ferrule and the insert. The fiber optic ferrule assembly terminates a fiber optic cable including an inner fiber, an outer coating around the inner fiber, and a buffer layer around the outer coating. The first diameter portion only receives the inner fiber and no outer coating, and the second diameter portion receives at least a portion of an exposed portion of the outer coating and no buffer layer. Minimal epoxy is applied around a transition area near an end of the outer coating. A method of assembling a terminated fiber optic cable is also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing fiber optic connectors includes precision molding optical ferrule assemblies around optical fibers for use in the connectors. The optical ferrule assemblies are over-molded in two-parts: a ferrule and a hub. The ferrule is molded around a coated section of fiber and a fiber tip is formed (e.g., using a laser) at a stripped section of the optical fiber at a location axially spaced from the ferrule. The fiber is pulled into the ferrule to align the tip and the hub is formed to complete the ferrule assembly.

Abstract: A packaging arrangement for telecommunications cabling is disclosed herein. The packaging arrangement includes a modular spool assembly defined by a first flange, an opposing second flange, and a spool hub separating the first flange from the second flange, wherein a telecommunications cable may be wound between the first and second flanges. Each flange defines a first cable contact side, a second cable-end storage side, and an opening allowing the telecommunications cable to pass from the first side to the second side, the second side defining a storage compartment for storing an end of the telecommunications cable passing through the opening in the flange.

Abstract: A connection system includes an optical connector assembly; and an optical plug. The connector assembly includes a stack of gel-groove assemblies and a spring assembly mounted within a housing. Each of the gel-groove assemblies includes a first gel block at a first axial end, a second gel block at a second axial end, and a fiber mating region between the first and second gel blocks. The optical plug including sub-modules over-molded over arrays (e.g., ribbons) of the optical fibers. Each sub-module defines notches for receiving latches of the spring assembly when the optical plug is coupled to the first axial end of the optical adapter. Bare optical fibers extend from the plug, pass through the first axial gel block, and enter the fiber mating region when the plug is coupled to the adapter.

Abstract: A method of tuning a fiber optic connector includes: assembling the fiber optic connector to a partially assembled state; tuning the fiber optic connector in the partially assembled state; assembling the fiber optic connector to an assembled state; and tuning the fiber optic connector in the assembled state.

Abstract: A method of packing a plurality of lengths of cable includes routing a first length of cable around a first guide that extends from a first half of a packing system base. A second length of cable is routed around a second guide that extends from a second half of the packing system base. A third length of the cable is routed around the first guide such that the third length of cable is located on the first length. The second half of the packing system base is then folded onto the first half, such that the second length of cable is deposited on top of the third length of cable, around the first guide. The second half is then unfolded from the first half such that the first length of cable, the second length of cable, and the third length of cable form a first cable loop.

Abstract: Methods for testing optical equipment are disclosed. One method includes connecting an optical time domain reflectometer to optical equipment to be tested, the optical equipment including at least one optical connector. The method includes injecting an optical signal onto the optical equipment from the optical time domain reflectometer, and observing an amount of reflected light at the connector. Based on the observed reflected light, an amount of loss attributable to the optical equipment is determined.

Abstract: An extensible, multi-tenant software-as-a-service business application platform is provided for hosting multiple organizations. Organization services are provided by virtual or physical servers with dedicated data stores assembled in scalable groups. Distributed interaction between components of the scalable groups may enable extensibility and reliability, while changes in locations of organization services are provided to the client(s) for seamless continuation of the client's access to the services. Customizable and dynamic APIs for accessing each organization's data and applications isolated from the others and pluggable third party authentication services may also be integrated into the platform.

Abstract: A method of directly molding a fiber optic ferrule on an end of a fiber optic cable is disclosed. The method preferably includes stripping a cable jacket and/or a buffer layer from optical fibers of the fiber optic cable and trimming the optical fibers with a laser thereby creating trimmed ends on the optical fibers. The optical fibers and preferably a pin assembly are held near the end of the fiber optic cable by an optical fiber and pin locator. The optical fiber and pin locator can statically or dynamically hold and position the optical fibers and pin assembly. After the optical fibers and/or the pin assembly are positioned, a fixture is attached to the trimmed ends of the optical fibers and/or the pin assembly thereby preserving their relative position to each other. After the fixture is attached, the optical fiber and pin locator is removed, and the end of the fiber optic cable with the attached fixture is placed into a mold cavity.

Abstract: An extensible, multi-tenant software-as-a-service business application platform is provided for hosting multiple organizations. Organization services are provided by virtual or physical servers with dedicated data stores assembled in scalable groups. Distributed interaction between components of the scalable groups may enable extensibility and reliability, while changes in locations of organization services are provided to the client(s) for seamless continuation of the client's access to the services. Customizable and dynamic APIs for accessing each organization's data and applications isolated from the others and pluggable third party authentication services may also be integrated into the platform.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a loop back plug including a ferrule having a distal side and a proximal side. The ferrule defines a plurality of openings that extend through the ferrule from the distal side to the proximal side. The openings are arranged in first and second parallel rows. The loop back plug also includes a plurality of loop back optical fibers each having first and second end portions secured within the openings of the ferrule. At least some of the loop back optical fibers are looped between the openings of the first and second rows with their first end portions secured within the openings of the first row and their second end portions secured within the openings of the second row.

Abstract: A fiber optic alignment device includes two alignment blocks and two gel blocks. A fiber passage is adapted to receive a first optical fiber through the first end and a second optical fiber through the second end. An intermediate portion is adapted to align the first and the second optical fibers between the first and the second alignment blocks. A first portion of the fiber passage extends between the first alignment block and the first gel block. A second portion of the fiber passage extends between the second alignment block and the second gel block. End portions of the first and the second optical fibers may be cleaned when slid between the alignment blocks and the gel blocks. The fiber passage may include an undulating portion.

Abstract: A tool set for terminating an optical fiber with a fiber optic connector includes a crimping tool and a polishing tool. The crimping tool includes a locating feature for locating a housing of the fiber optic connector, a stop for locating an end of an optical fiber relative to the housing, and at least one anvil for crimping a crimp of the fiber optic connector to secure a position of the optical fiber relative to the housing. The polishing tool includes a locating feature for locating the housing and thereby locating the end of the optical fiber and a seat for activating a compression member of the fiber optic connector thereby securing the end of the optical fiber to the polishing tool.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly includes a main fiber optic cable and a pre-connectorized fiber optic cable assembly. Optical fibers of the main fiber optic cable are mass fusion spliced to optical fibers of the pre-connectorized fiber optic cable assembly thereby forming a mass fusion splice. The mass fusion splice is positioned within an outer jacket of the main fiber optic cable. A reinforcing member and a protective transition member are applied to make the fiber optic cable assembly. A method of making the fiber optic cable assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fiber optic cassette including a body defining a front and an opposite rear and an enclosed interior. A cable entry location is defined in the body for a cable to enter the interior of the cassette. The cable which enters at the cable entry location is attached to the cassette body and the fibers are extended into the cassette body and form terminations at connectors. The connectors are connected to adapters located at the front of the cassette. A front side of the adapters defines termination locations for cables to be connected to the fibers connected at the rear of the adapters. A cable including a jacket, a strength member, and fibers enters the cassette. The strength member is crimped to a crimp tube and is mounted to the cassette body, allowing the fibers to extend past the crimp tube into the interior of the cassette body. A strain relief boot is provided at the cable entry location.