Abstract: Apparatus for establishing optical connection between optical fibers, the apparatus comprising: a first array comprising a plurality of slack management units (SMU), each having a holding socket for holding an optical end connector of an optical fiber and configured to reel in a length of fiber released when the optical end connector is removed from the holding socket; a second array comprising a plurality of coupling sockets, each configured to hold an optical end of an optical fiber; and a pick and place grabber controllable to grab an optical end connector seated in a holding socket of any SMU in the first array, move the optical end connector into any coupling socket in the second array to establish an optical connection between the optical fiber connected to the optical end connector, and an optical end of an optical fiber held in the coupling socket; at least one identification (ID) tag; an ID reader operable to interrogate each of the at least one ID tag; a controller configured to control the ID reade

Abstract: Apparatus for establishing optical connection between optical fibers, the apparatus comprising: a first array comprising a plurality of slack management units (SMU), each having a holding socket for holding an optical end connector of an optical fiber and configured to reel in a length of fiber released when the optical end connector is removed from the holding socket; a second array comprising a plurality of coupling sockets, each configured to hold an optical end of an optical fiber; and a pick and place grabber controllable to grab an optical end connector seated in a holding socket of any SMU in the first array, move the optical end connector into any coupling socket in the second array to establish an optical connection between the optical fiber connected to the optical end connector, and an optical end of an optical fiber held in the coupling socket; at least one identification (ID) tag; an ID reader operable to interrogate each of the at least one ID tag; a controller configured to control the ID reade

Abstract: Apparatus for establishing and managing optical connections between optical fibers, the apparatus comprising: a first array that includes a plurality of slack management units (40), each having a holding socket (44) for holding an optical end connector (60) of an optical fiber (61); a second array comprising a plurality of coupling sockets (47), configured to hold optical end of an optical fiber; and a grabber (90) configured to grab an optical end connector (60) from any slack management unit (40) in the first array, and plug the optical end connector (60) into any coupling socket (47) in the second array to establish an optical connection between the optical fiber (61) connected to the optical end connector (60) and an optical end of an optical fiber (49) held in the coupling socket (47).

Abstract: Apparatus for establishing and managing optical connections between optical fibers, the apparatus comprising: a first array that includes a plurality of slack management units (40), each having a holding socket (44) for holding an optical end connector (60) of an optical fiber (61); a second array comprising a plurality of coupling sockets (47), configured to hold optical end of an optical fiber; and a grabber (90) configured to grab an optical end connector (60) from any slack management unit (40) in the first array, and plug the optical end connector (60) into any coupling socket (47) in the second array to establish an optical connection between the optical fiber (61) connected to the optical end connector (60) and an optical end of an optical fiber (49) held in the coupling socket (47).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method device assembly and system for facilitating the interconnection of communication bearing cables connected cable connectors. An interconnect-point support structure comprising two or more cable connector slots, wherein in each of the two or more slots is adapted to host a cable connector attached to a respective cable. A mechanical arm functionally associated with the interconnect-point support structure is adapted to release a cable connector, mobilize and mate it to another connector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method device assembly and system for facilitating the interconnection of communication bearing cables connected cable connectors. An interconnect-point support structure comprising two or more cable connector slots, wherein in each of the two or more slots is adapted to host a cable connector attached to a respective cable. A mechanical arm functionally associated with the interconnect-point support structure is adapted to release a cable connector, mobilize and mate it to another connector.

Abstract: An optical crossbar switch for optically coupling optic fibers comprising: at least one first fiber (21) and a plurality of second fibers (22); a moveable fiber-end carriage (41) coupled to an end of the at least one first fiber and constrained to move along a predetermined trajectory; at least one moveable slack-control carriage (42) coupled to the body of the at least one first fiber and constrained to move along a predetermined trajectory; and at least one moving device (70, 80) controllable to move the carriages; wherein to optically couple a first fiber of the at least one first fiber to a second fiber of the plurality of second fibers, the at least one moving device moves the fiber-end carriage of the first fiber along its trajectory to a position at which the end of the first fiber is optically coupled to an end of the second fiber and moves the at least one slack-control carriage to take up slack in the first fiber generated by movement of its fiber-end carriage.

Abstract: An optical crossbar switch for optically coupling optic fibers comprising: at least one first fiber (21) and a plurality of second fibers (22); a moveable fiber-end carriage (41) coupled to an end of the at least one first fiber and constrained to move along a predetermined trajectory; at least one moveable slack-control carriage (42) coupled to the body of the at least one first fiber and constrained to move along a predetermined trajectory; and at least one moving device (70, 80) controllable to move the carriages; wherein to optically couple a first fiber of the at least one first fiber to a second fiber of the plurality of second fibers, the at least one moving device moves the fiber-end carriage of the first fiber along its trajectory to a position at which the end of the first fiber is optically coupled to an end of the second fiber and moves the at least one slack-control carriage to take up slack in the first fiber generated by movement of its fiber-end carriage.

Abstract: An optical crossbar switch for optically coupling optic fibers comprising: at least one first fiber (21) and a plurality of second fibers (22); a moveable fiber-end carriage (41) coupled to an end of the at least one first fiber and constrained to move along a predetermined trajectory; at least one moveable slack-control carriage (42) coupled to the body of the at least one first fiber and constrained to move along a predetermined trajectory; and at least one moving device (70, 80) controllable to move the carriages; wherein to optically couple a first fiber of the at least one first fiber to a second fiber of the plurality of second fibers, the at least one moving device moves the fiber-end carriage of the first fiber along its trajectory to a position at which the end of the first fiber is optically coupled to an end of the second fiber and moves the at least one slack-control carriage to take up slack in the first fiber generated by movement of its fiber-end carriage.

Abstract: A dual E/O transmitter module optical transponder comprising an E/O receiver module capable of converting an ingressing optical signal from an optical signal source to an electrical signal, a pair of E/O transmitter modules connected in parallel and each capable of converting the electrical signal to an egressing optical signal, a control device for enabling one of the pair of E/O transmitter modules and disabling the other of the pair of E/O transmitter modules, and an optical coupler coupled to the pair of E/O transmitter modules for feeding the egressing optical signal from the enabled E/O transmitter module to an optical signal destination.

Abstract: An optical crossbar switch comprising: a first plurality of first optic fibers having optical ends, each one of which optical ends is mounted to a different first moveable element; a second plurality of second optic fibers having optical ends, each one of which optical ends is mounted to a different second moveable element and at least one motor controllable to translate each first moveable element and each second moveable element so as to align the optical end of any first fiber and the optical end of any second fiber adjacent to and facing each other.

Abstract: A method for communication from a central point to end points by time division multiplexing of a sequence of frames divided into multiple timeslots, including receiving at the central point data for transmission to the end points, the data including at least a first quantity of first data for transmission to a first end point and a second quantity of second data for transmission to a second end point. The method further includes allocating in each of the frames a first number of timeslots to carry the first data to the first end point, and a second number of timeslots to carry the second data to the second end point, such that the first and second numbers are variable responsive to variations in the first and second quantities of the data, and transmitting the data from the central point to the end points during the allocated timeslots.

Abstract: An optical data network including an optical communications medium, adapted to convey optical signals of multiple different wavelengths; a plurality of optical data transceivers, which are adapted to transmit and receive the optical signals over the medium and at least one optical coupler. The optical coupler is coupled to the medium between the transceivers, and is adapted to filter the wavelengths conveyed over the medium so as to convey the optical signals in a first subset of the wavelengths only to a first group of the transceivers, and to convey the optical signals in a second subset of the wavelengths only to a second group of the transceivers, which is different from the first group.

Abstract: A dual E/O transmitter module optical transponder comprising an O/E receiver module capable of converting an ingressing optical signal from an optical signal source to an electrical signal, a pair of E/O transmitter modules connected in parallel and each capable of converting said electrical signal to an egressing optical signal, a control device for enabling one of said pair of E/O transmitter modules and disabling the other of said pair of E/O transmitter modules and an optical coupler coupled to said pair of E/O transmitter modules for feeding said egressing optical signal from said enabled E/O transmitter module to an optical signal destination.