Abstract: Optical terminators comprising a ferrule assembly with an optical filter for providing a reflective event in an optical network are disclosed. The optical filter assembly reflecting one or more preselected wavelengths so that the service provide can test optical links in an unmated connection node of the optical network. In one embodiment, the optical terminator has a hardened connector interface for outside plant applications. A ferrule assembly comprises the optical filter, and at least a portion of the ferrule assembly is disposed within the connector housing of the optical terminator. In another embodiment the connector housing comprises a locking feature integrally formed into the body of the connector housing for securing the reflective terminator. Other embodiments comprise a sealing element for sealing a rear end of the reflective terminator, a plug end of an outer housing having first and second fingers, and a coupling nut disposed about a portion of the outer housing.

Abstract: Design tools and methods of use for designing, ordering, and providing manufacturing and installation instructions for waveguide system networks include a system design tool including a location selection module to determine a selected location, a satellite imagery component to provide an image based on the selected location, an overlay module to overlay a design on the image, and a customization module to customize the design. The system design tool includes one or more design modules to at least one of automatically output and build via user input one or more design options based on the image, and a design customization module to select the design from the one or more design options. The system design tool includes a positioning module to set a pair of connectivity points such that a cable length may be automatically calculated based on a calculated distance between the pair of connectivity points.

Abstract: Field-configurable optical devices and methods are disclosed. In one example, a field-configurable optical device includes a housing defining an enclosure, an input port located at the housing, a pass-through port located at the housing, a plurality of output ports located at the housing, a splitter disposed within the enclosure, a plurality of couplers within the enclosure, each coupler including an input, a first output, and a second output. Each coupler has a power splitting ratio between the first output and the second output that is different from the other couplers. An input port fiber optic jumper assembly within the enclosure. A pass-through port fiber optic jumper assembly is within the enclosure. Moving the input port fiber optic jumper assembly and the pass-through port fiber optic jumper assembly from a first coupler to a second coupler of the plurality of couplers changes the power splitting ratio of the field-configurable optical device.

Abstract: Design tools and methods of use for designing, ordering, and providing manufacturing and installation instructions for waveguide system networks include a system design tool including a location selection module to determine a selected location, a satellite imagery component to provide an image based on the selected location, an overlay module to overlay a design on the image, and a customization module to customize the design. The system design tool includes one or more design modules to at least one of automatically output and build via user input one or more design options based on the image, and a design customization module to select the design from the one or more design options. The system design tool includes a positioning module to set a pair of connectivity points such that a cable length may be automatically calculated based on a calculated distance between the pair of connectivity points.

Abstract: Fiber optic networks having a self-supporting optical terminal along with methods of installing the optical terminal are disclosed. The fiber optic network comprises an optical terminal having a housing and a tether cable attached to the housing. The tether cable is aerially supported by the tether cable of the optical terminal using a cable clamp. The fiber optic networks can aerially deploy the self-supporting optical terminal without the use of a support strand and lashing like conventional optical terminals since the optical terminal is light-weight and has a small form-factor. The tether cable may be attached to one or more mounting features of the housing and the cable clamp grips a portion of the tether cable for the aerial installation.

Abstract: Fiber optic networks, optical network units, and methods of configuring a fiber optic network and an optical network unit using a variable ratio coupler are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fiber optic network includes a feeder optical cable. The first optical network unit and the second optical network unit each includes a variable ratio coupler operable to selectively set a split-ratio among a plurality of split-ratios, and a fiber optic transceiver module. The fiber optic network further includes a first drop cable optically coupling the first optical network unit to the feeder optical cable at a first position, and a second drop cable optically coupling the second optical network unit to the feeder optical cable at a second position. A first split-ratio of the first optical network unit is based on the first position and a second split-ratio of the second optical network unit is based on the second position.

Abstract: Embodiments of a tensile strength limiting system are provided. The tensile strength limiting system is configured to cause breakage of an optical fiber cable at a predetermined tensile loading below a tensile strength of the optical fiber cable. The tensile strength limiting system includes a force limiter configured for attachment to the optical fiber cable strung on an aerial pole and a restriction through which the optical fiber cable is configured to be looped. At the predetermined tensile loading, the force limiter is configured to allow the optical fiber cable to pull through the restriction; and the restriction is configured to force the optical fiber cable to bend below a minimum bend radius of a strength member within the optical fiber cable such that the strength member breaks.

Abstract: Fiber optic cable assemblies having a construction suitable for a first deployment scenario where the optical connection is made to the device externally that may be transformed for a second deployment scenario where the optical connection is disposed within an internal cavity of the device are disclosed. The cable assembly has one or more cable legs disposed within a profile support element and are disposed under the heat shrink. The fiber optic connectors are exposed and suitable for optical connection with the heat shrink intact on the cable assembly and the profile support element further provides further flexibility using different outer housings with the cable assembly when making external optical connections to the device Thus, the concepts disclosed advantageously allow a single cable assembly to support multiple deployment scenarios in the field, thereby reducing complexity.

Abstract: Optical filter devices for providing a reflective event in an optical network are disclosed. In one embodiment, the optical filter device comprises an optical filter assembly for reflecting one or more preselected wavelengths and a housing. In one embodiment, the housing comprises a plug end and a receptacle end for optical connection into a link or connection node of an optical network. The housing comprises a passageway between the plug end and the receptacle end, and the plug end comprises a shroud with a single fiber connector footprint. At least a portion of the optical filter assembly is disposed within the passageway of the housing. The optical filter devices disclosed allow the network operator the flexibility to choose where to position a reflective location in the optical network along with the ability to move, add or change the reflective location as desired.

Abstract: Optical filter devices for providing a reflective event in an optical network are disclosed. In one embodiment, the optical filter device comprises an optical filter assembly for reflecting one or more preselected wavelengths and a housing. In one embodiment, the housing comprises a plug end and a receptacle end for optical connection into a link or connection node of an optical network. The housing comprises a passageway between the plug end and the receptacle end, and the plug end comprises a shroud with a single fiber connector footprint. At least a portion of the optical filter assembly is disposed within the passageway of the housing. The optical filter devices disclosed allow the network operator the flexibility to choose where to position a reflective location in the optical network along with the ability to move, add or change the reflective location as desired.

Abstract: Design tools and methods of use for designing, ordering, and providing manufacturing and installation instructions for waveguide system networks include a system design tool including a location selection module to determine a selected location, a satellite imagery component to provide an image based on the selected location, an overlay module to overlay a design on the image, and a customization module to customize the design. The system design tool includes one or more design modules to at least one of automatically output and build via user input one or more design options based on the image, and a design customization module to select the design from the one or more design options. The system design tool includes a positioning module to set a pair of connectivity points such that a cable length may be automatically calculated based on a calculated distance between the pair of connectivity points.

Abstract: Fiber optic networks having a self-supporting optical terminal along with methods of installing the optical terminal are disclosed. The fiber optic network comprises an optical terminal having a housing and a tether cable attached to the housing. The tether cable is aerially supported by the tether cable of the optical terminal using a cable clamp. The fiber optic networks can aerially deploy the self-supporting optical terminal without the use of a support strand and lashing like conventional optical terminals since the optical terminal is light-weight and has a small form-factor. The tether cable may be attached to one or more mounting features of the housing and the cable clamp grips a portion of the tether cable for the aerial installation.

Abstract: Design tools and methods of use for designing, ordering, and providing manufacturing and installation instructions for waveguide system networks include a system design tool including a location selection module to determine a selected location, a satellite imagery component to provide an image based on the selected location, an overlay module to overlay a design on the image, and a customization module to customize the design. The system design tool includes one or more design modules to at least one of automatically output and build via user input one or more design options based on the image, and a design customization module to select the design from the one or more design options. The system design tool includes a positioning module to set a pair of connectivity points such that a cable length may be automatically calculated based on a calculated distance between the pair of connectivity points.

Abstract: Optical terminators comprising a ferrule assembly with an optical filter for providing a reflective event in an optical network are disclosed. The optical filter assembly reflecting one or more preselected wavelengths so that the service provide can test optical links in an unmated connection node of the optical network. In one embodiment, the optical terminator has a hardened connector interface for outside plant applications. At least a portion of the optical filter assembly is disposed within the ferrule assembly of the optical terminator. The optical terminator advantageous allows the network operator to test and determine the operation of a branch of the optical network without having to send a technician to physically visit and test the operation of the desired link in the optical network.

Abstract: Design tools and methods of use for designing, ordering, and providing manufacturing and installation instructions for waveguide system networks include a system design tool including a location selection module to determine a selected location, a satellite imagery component to provide an image based on the selected location, an overlay module to overlay a design on the image, and a customization module to customize the design. The system design tool includes one or more design modules to at least one of automatically output and build via user input one or more design options based on the image, and a design customization module to select the design from the one or more design options. The system design tool includes a positioning module to set a pair of connectivity points such that a cable length may be automatically calculated based on a calculated distance between the pair of connectivity points.

Abstract: Design tools and methods of use for designing, ordering, and providing manufacturing and installation instructions for waveguide system networks include a system design tool including a location selection module to determine a selected location, a satellite imagery component to provide an image based on the selected location, an overlay module to overlay a design on the image, and a customization module to customize the design. The system design tool includes one or more design modules to at least one of automatically output and build via user input one or more design options based on the image, and a design customization module to select the design from the one or more design options. The system design tool includes a positioning module to set a pair of connectivity points such that a cable length may be automatically calculated based on a calculated distance between the pair of connectivity points.

Abstract: A fiber optic connection device having a casing with a first end and a second end is disclosed. An optical splitter is positioned in the casing and has an input proximal to the first end of the casing and an output proximal to the second end of the casing. A first optical interface is located adjacent to the first end and is in optical communication with the input of the optical splitter. The first optical interface includes a first optical fiber interconnection point. A second optical interface is located adjacent the second end of the casing and is in optical communication with the output of the optical splitter. The second optical interface includes a second optical fiber interconnection point. In some embodiments, the casing may provide protection from environmental elements.

Abstract: An optical fiber distribution system is provided. The system includes a distribution cable having a plurality of cable optical fibers. The system includes a plurality of optical fiber tethers each including a tether optical fiber optically coupled to a cable optical fiber. The tethers provide access to and distribute the optical network at positions along the length of the optical fiber. The system is configured to provide access area organization and/or low profiles, such as through staggered tether lengths, tether webbing and/or access area sleeve arrangements.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable includes a plurality of tight buffered optical fibers arranged substantially in parallel in a longitudinal direction and a clear backing material attached to the plurality of tight buffered optical fibers to form a fiber region and an extended region defined a portion of the backing material extending beyond the fiber region.

Abstract: A fiber optic terminal includes an enclosure defining an interior space having a plurality module holders and at least one module removably positioned in one of the plurality of module holders. Each removable module may include at least one input adapter and a plurality of output adapters. Each removable module may also include one or more splitters, cable storage components, pass-through components, or parking components. The fiber optic module may also include first and second arms extending from the front side of the body and a handle coupled to the first and second arms. The handle may be rotatable between a closed position and an open position, and may also be removable from the first and second arms when the handle is in the open position.