Abstract: An optical fiber inventory selection system selects optical fibers from inventory for use in a communication network. In one embodiment, the system includes a vendor computer system that executes code that performs a number of steps. Initially, the system accesses a plurality of optical parameters for each of a plurality of optical fiber reels that are located in inventory. Next, a customer order is received that includes customer requirements for at least a portion of the plurality of optical parameters and a total optical fiber length, and may include requirements for sets of reels, blocks of sets, and batches of blocks. Then, two optical parameters are selected from the plurality of optical parameters that are included in the customer requirements. Next, a number of the optical fiber reels are combined into optical fiber reel pairs that meet the customer requirements for the selected two optical parameters.

Abstract: A multimode optical fiber having a first laser bandwidth greater than 220 MHz.km in the 850 nm window, a second laser bandwidth greater than 500 MHz.km in the 1300 nm window, a first OFL bandwidth of at least 160 MHz.km in the 850 nm window, and a second OFL bandwidth of at least 500 MHz.km in the 1300 nm window is disclosed. The multimode fiber is capable of operating in telecommunication systems employing both LED power sources and high power laser sources. Methods of making and testing the multimode optical fiber are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multimode optical fiber having a first laser bandwidth greater than 220 MHz.km in the 850 nm window, a second laser bandwidth greater than 500 MHz.km in the 1300 nm window, a first OFL bandwidth of at least 160 MHz.km in the 850 nm window, and a second OFL bandwidth of at least 500 MHz.km in the 1300 nm window is disclosed. The multimode fiber is capable of operating in telecommunication systems employing both LED power sources and high power laser sources. Methods of making and testing the multimode optical fiber are also disclosed.

Abstract: A latch for securing a cover or door to an enclosure provides a dust and water tight seal. The latch has a housing in which an activator is rotatably mounted. The latch housing has a depression formed in one of its surfaces. A gasket is designed to fin in the depression providing a seal between the activator and the housing. In the preferred embodiment the latch is a quarter-turn latch. The rotation of the latch is limited between a locked and unlocked position substantially 90.degree. apart.

Abstract: A restructurable enclosure having a plurality of mounting blocks which are secured to the body of the enclosure at various spaced locations around and adjacent the outer peripheral portions of the door and wall panel openings therein. Each of the mounting blocks includes a plurality of threaded bores in the bottom surface thereof which communicate with openings in the enclosure body to facilitate permanent mounting of such blocks to the enclosure, and to facilitate attachment of sub-panels and other assemblies within the interior thereof, without obstructing the same. Each block also includes a pair of threaded or open bores extending inward from its outer mounting surface to facilitate mounting of the enclosure door or various wall panels to the enclosure solely from the exterior of the enclosure, without the need for accessing the interior thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly forming a porous glass preform is provided in which an array of burners is oscillated along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the preform. Unlike existing soot deposition techniques, the oscillation amplitude is limited so that each burner deposits soot on only a portion of the preform, e.g., 20% of the preform. By controlling inter-burner variability and the air flow in the burner-array/preform region, preforms having substantially uniform axial properties are obtained notwithstanding the fact that different burners are used to laydown different parts of the preform.

Abstract: Apparatus for rapidly forming a porous glass preform is provided in which an array of burners is oscillated along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the preform. The oscillation amplitude is limited so that each burner deposits soot on only a portion of the preform, e.g., 20% of the preform. By controlling inter-burner variability and the air flow in the burner-array/preform region, preforms having substantially uniform diameter and axial properties are obtained.