Abstract: A fiber optic ribbon cable includes a stack of fiber optic ribbons, strength members surrounding the stack, and a jacket defining an exterior of the cable. The jacket forms a cavity through which the stack and the strength members extend. The stack has a bend preference, but the strength members are positioned around the stack or are flexible in bending such that the strength members do not have a bend preference. Furthermore, the jacket is structured such that the jacket does not have a bend preference. The cavity is sized relative to the stack in order to allow the stack to bend and twist within the cavity with respect to the jacket as the cable bends, facilitating movement of the optical fibers of the fiber optic ribbons to low-stress positions within the cavity and decoupling the bend preference of the stack from transfer to the jacket.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical ports and devices having a minimalist footprint. Specifically, the optical ports and devices have a footprint where the optical elements are exposed at a frame of the device. Additionally, a frame of the device provides a portion of the mating surface for engaging a complimentary optical plug during mating with the optical port on the device. This minimalist footprint advantageously allows for a smaller portion of the optical port to be exposed to the environment and subject to damage and/or wear. Further, the optical port provides a clean and sleek optical port on the device with a relatively small surface that may be cleaned or wiped by the user as necessary.

Abstract: Optical backplane extension modules and related assemblies suitable for establishing optical connections to information processing modules disposed in equipment racks are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical backplane extension module is provided. The optical backplane extension module comprises an extension module housing comprising an interior space defined by a base, a left side disposed on a left end of the base, a right side disposed on a right end of the base opposite the left end, and a rear side disposed on a rear end of the base. A plurality of backplane fiber optic connectors are disposed through the rear side of the extension module housing and accessible through an exterior side of the rear side. The plurality of backplane fiber optic connectors configured to be directly optically connected to a plurality of blade fiber optic connectors disposed in a plurality of information processing modules disposed in a rack module housing.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical ports and devices using the optical ports. The optical port includes a mounting body having a first pocket and at least one mounting surface for securing the optical port, one or more optical elements, and a first alignment feature disposed in the pocket, wherein the alignment feature includes a piston that is translatable during mating. The one or more optical elements may be an integral portion of the mounting body or a discrete lens. In other embodiments, the mounting body may include a plurality of pockets and one of the pockets may include a magnet for securing a plug to the optical port. The optical port may optionally have a minimalist optical port footprint so that the complimentary mating optical plug engages a portion of the frame during mating.

Abstract: Optical connections for optical communication having in-line optical paths and magnetic coupling portions are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical connection includes a lens block having an optical interface portion that defines an in-line optical path without an optical turn for optical signals propagating through the lens block, and a magnetic coupling portion disposed about at least a portion of the lens block. In another embodiment, a method of making an optical connection that includes providing a circuit board having one or more active components and placing a lens block on the circuit board. The lens block includes an optical interface portion defining an in-line optical path. The method further includes placing at least one magnetic coupling portion about the lens block. The at least one magnetic coupling portion is configured as a bulk magnetic material. Electronic devices and fiber optic cable assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A molded waveguide side-facet coupler to facilitate an optical connection between optical side-facets and a fiber optic connector is disclosed. Instead of molding the side-facet coupler with the external mounting surface disposed on an external surface of the mold, the mold for the side-facet coupler is provided such that the mounting surface of the side-facet coupler is provided as a molded internal recess surface. The moldable material for the side-facet coupler is disposed around a recess core that is part of the mold, thereby forming a unitary component having at least one internal recess surface for providing an external mounting surface for the side-facet coupler. As the molded material cures around the core structure, the external surfaces of the unitary component pull away from internal surfaces of the mold, and shrink around the core structure. Thus, the internal recess surface of the unitary component is formed within narrower, repeatable tolerances.

Abstract: Gradient index (GRIN) lens holders employing groove alignment feature(s) in recessed cover and single piece components, connectors, and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the GRIN lens holder contains one or more internal groove alignment features configured to secure one or more GRIN lenses in the GRIN lens holder. The groove alignment features are also configured to accurately align the end faces of the GRIN lenses. The GRIN lens holders disclosed herein can be provided as part of an optical fiber ferrule and/or a fiber optic component or connector for making optical connections. A fiber optic connector containing the GRIN lens holders disclosed herein may be optically connected to one or more optical fibers in another fiber optic connector or to an optical device, such as a laser-emitting diode (LED), laser diode, or opto-electronic device for light transfer.

Abstract: A receptacle ferrule assembly for a fiber optic receptacle connector. The receptacle ferrule assembly comprises a first lens with first second optical surfaces and a receptacle ferrule body having first and second ends. At least one monolithic optical system is formed in a monolithic receptacle ferrule body and includes a lens formed at the second end of monolithic receptacle ferrule body and an optical surface formed at the first end of monolithic receptacle ferrule body. The optical surface is situated adjacent to, and mated to the second optical surface of the first lens The monolithic optical system is configured, in conjunction with the first lens, to define a receptacle optical pathway from the second end of the monolithic optical system to the first surface of the first lens. According to some embodiments the first lens is a gradient index lens.

Abstract: A pair of flanges attachable to the arbor hole of a reel is disclosed. The flanges provide a mechanism to allow the reel to be easily loaded, and lifted into place. Once loaded into place, the flanges may include a locking mechanism that locks the reel in place, centered on the flanges. Additionally, the flanges are attachable using a hub that allows them to rotate independently from one another, and from the reel to which they are attached.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for creating a demarcation of at least one optical fiber in a structure along with a fiber optic cable. The method may include the steps of providing at least one optical fiber having a covering, heating a portion of the covering, and deforming the covering about the at least one optical fiber at a first location to inhibit movement of the at least one optical fiber with respect to the covering. The method may be applied to one or more optical fibers within a covering such as bare loose fibers, ribbonized fibers, buffered fibers or the like.

Abstract: Optical circuit board assemblies having one or more lens bodies are disclosed. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a composite circuit board comprising a glass-substrate and a non-glass substrate with the non-glass substrate having at least one cutout that exposes a portion of the glass substrate and at least one optical trace comprising one or more optical interfaces on the composite circuit board. The one or more optical interfaces of the composite circuit board are in optical communication with the one or more lens bodies. Other optical circuit board assemblies may include other features such as a bezel mount attached to the composite circuit board or an attachment structure secured to the composite circuit board.

Abstract: A wireless-enabled tension meter is disclosed. The wireless-enabled tension meter can include a pulley arrangement through which a portion of a guiding member is routed for use during a pull of conductor through a conduit network. A tension force is exerted on the guiding member during the pull as the guiding member is pulled through the pulley arrangement. The wireless-enabled tension meter can also include a sensor for measuring the tension force, a wireless network interface, and a control module for performing operations. The operations performed by the control module can include capturing data corresponding to the tension force and causing the wireless network interface to send the data to a wireless communication device.

Abstract: Disclosed are lens blocks and methods for making the same. In one embodiment, the lens block includes at least one optical channel having an optical interface portion on a first side, and one or more magnetic materials attached to the lens block. In one embodiment, the lens block may include one or more opening for receiving the one or more magnetic materials. The one or more openings may be located on any suitable side of the lens block as desired. The magnetic materials provide attachment with a complimentary device having an optical interface. Consequently, the lens block allows for quick and easy assembly along with a robust structure for a large number of mating/unmating cycles. In other embodiments, the lens blocks disclosed may further include one or more electrical contacts for making a hybrid connection.

Abstract: A cable reel of the present disclosure can include two flanges and a central drum being independently rotatable from one another. The drum, which can be configured to receive a cable, can be mounted on an axle. The two flanges can be rotationally mounted on the axle at opposing distal ends of the axle. Bearings in the flanges can allow for a full rotation of the flanges about the axle.

Abstract: Devices and methods related to radio-frequency (RF) filters on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. In some embodiments, an RF device can include a silicon die such as an SOI die including a first side and a second side. The silicon die can further include a plurality of vias, with each via configured to provide an electrical connection between the first side and the second side of the silicon die. The RF device can further include at least one RF flip chip mounted on the first side of the silicon die. The silicon die can include, for example, an RF circuit such as a switch circuit, and the RF flip chip can include, for example, a filter such as a surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter.

Abstract: Optical data center connector systems including a fiber optic plug assembly and a fiber optic receptacle assembly. In one embodiment, a fiber optic plug assembly includes a plug body having an insertion surface and a plug body opening at the insertion surface, wherein the plug body defines a ferrule enclosure coupled in free space to the plug body opening, and a ferrule element disposed within the ferrule enclosure of the plug body. The ferrule element includes a mechanical coupling face, an optical interface surface, and a plurality of lens elements at the optical interface surface. The ferrule element is disposed within the ferrule enclosure such that the optical interface surface is recessed with respect to the insertion surface of the plug body.

Abstract: Disclosed are interposer structures having an optical fiber connection and a related fiber optic ferrule that can form a portion of an optical assembly. The interposer structure is useful for transmitting optical signals to/from an integrated circuit that may be attached to the interposer. Specifically, the interposer structure and the related ferrule of the optical connector provide a passively aligned structure having a matched thermal response to maintain a suitable optical connection between the devices over a range of temperatures.

Abstract: Optical couplings for optically coupling one or more devices are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an optical coupling includes an optical coupling body, an optical interface, and a coded magnetic array located at the optical coupling body. The coded magnetic array has a plurality of magnetic regions configured for mating the optical interface. The optical coupling further includes a reflective surface within the optical coupling body and positioned along an optical path of the optical coupling body. The reflective surface is operable to redirect an optical signal propagating within the optical coupling body such that it propagates through the optical interface. The optical coupling may be configured as a plug, such as a plug of a connector assembly, or as a receptacle, such as a receptacle on an electronic device. Connector assemblies of optical cables, optical coupling receptacles, and translating shutter assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical receptacles for use with electronic devices. In one embodiment, the optical receptacle comprises an optical lens body for receiving and transmitting optical signals and the optical lens body comprising a front face with a recess and a total internal reflection (TIR) surface. A cover is disposed in the recess of the optical lens body for protecting a surface of the optical lens body and also provides a cleanable surface. The optical receptacle also includes a receptacle shell with an open side for housing the optical lens body. and a cover disposed in the recess of the optical lens body.