Abstract: Optical distribution systems for data centers or similar networks are disclosed, where one or both ends of a high fiber-count backbone cable branch out once to serve multiple buildings. The optical distribution systems include the backbone cable, an enclosure that receives an end portion of the backbone cable, a plurality of tether cables connected to the backbone cable within a sealed interior of the enclosure and extending from the enclosure, and a plurality of multiport terminals each receiving one of the tether cables and including connection ports for an auxiliary cable that can extend to one of the buildings. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A routing tool for the installation of a fiber optic cable along a cable support includes a cable support frame having a mounting interface, wherein the cable support frame is selectively attachable to and detachable from the cable support, and a dispensing platform configured to have the fiber optic cable arranged thereon and selectively attachable to and detachable from the cable support frame. The dispensing platform is configured to be rotatable relative to the cable support frame about a rotational axis. The rotational axis is configured to be laterally offset from the mounting interface. A method of installing a fiber optic cable using the routing tool includes attaching the cable support frame to the cable support, attaching the dispensing platform to the cable support, and dispensing the fiber optic cable from the routing tool to route the cable along the cable support.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable carrying a plurality of optical fibers and a plurality of distribution housings attached to the fiber optic cable at spaced locations along a length of the fiber optic cable. A subset of the plurality of optical fibers carried by the fiber optic cable is terminated at each of the plurality of distribution housings. Each of the plurality of distribution housings includes at least one port interface attached to the respective distribution housing for accessing the subset of optical fibers terminated at the respective distribution housing. The distribution housings are in-line with the cable and have a low-profile for ease of installation. A method of using and making such a fiber optic cable assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly including a main cable portion having a plurality of subunit cables and tap points at which the subunit cables are separated from the main cable portion. A junction shell is positioned at each tap point. The subunit cable is pivotable to two orientations relative to the main cable portion in the junction shell.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes an outer jacket, a plurality of optical fibers within the outer jacket, and a pull grip at an end of the fiber optic cable for pulling the cable through a pathway during installation of the cable. The pulling of the fiber optic cable through the pathway causes a tensile load to be imposed on the fiber optic cable. To accommodate the tensile load, the fiber optic cable further includes a load distribution member coupled to the pull grip and to the plurality of optical fibers. The load distribution member distributes the tensile load on the fiber optic cable over the plurality of optical fibers such that the plurality of optical fibers collectively provides the tensile strength to support the tensile load during routing of the fiber optic cable through the pathway. In this way, strength members may be omitted from the design of the cable and more optical fibers may fit within existing pathways. A method of making and a method of using such a fiber optic cable is also disclosed.

Abstract: A connection interface for a fiber optic cable carrying a plurality of optical fibers. The connecting interface includes a body having a first face, a second face and a sidewall joining the first face and the second face. The sidewall includes an outer portion that defines a periphery of the body and an inner portion. The body also includes at least one holding bore. The at least one holding bore is configured to receive a first group of optical fibers from the plurality of optical fibers. Additionally, the inner portion is configured to passively receive a second pass-through group of optical fibers from the plurality of optical fibers that extends past the connection interface. A cable assembly including a fiber optic cable and one or more connection interfaces is disclosed, and a method of forming a fiber optic cable assembly with one or more connecting interfaces is also disclosed.

Abstract: Bundled cables and methods for preparing bundled cable are disclosed herein. In the method, a plurality of subunits is wound about a central member. The subunits include a subunit jacket made of a first thermoplastic composition and has a first outer surface, and the central member includes a central member jacket made of a second thermoplastic composition and has a second outer surface. A metal element is provided at an interface of the second outer surface and the first outer surface of the subunits. The metal element is heated such that at least one of the first thermoplastic composition or the second thermoplastic composition forms bonds with the other of the first thermoplastic composition or the second thermoplastic composition.

Abstract: Bundled cables and methods for preparing bundled cable are disclosed herein. In the method, a plurality of subunits is wound about a central member. The subunits include a subunit jacket made of a first thermoplastic composition and has a first outer surface, and the central member includes a central member jacket made of a second thermoplastic composition and has a second outer surface. A metal element is provided at an interface of the second outer surface and the first outer surface of the subunits. The metal element is heated such that at least one of the first thermoplastic composition or the second thermoplastic composition forms bonds with the other of the first thermoplastic composition or the second thermoplastic composition.

Abstract: Optical distribution systems for data centers or similar networks are disclosed, where one or both ends of a high fiber-count backbone cable branch out once to serve multiple buildings. The optical distribution systems include the backbone cable, an enclosure that receives an end portion of the backbone cable, a plurality of tether cables connected to the backbone cable within a sealed interior of the enclosure and extending from the enclosure, and a plurality of multiport terminals each receiving one of the tether cables and including connection ports for an auxiliary cable that can extend to one of the buildings. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method of measuring for manufacture and deployment of distribution cable assemblies. The measurement includes a distribution cable ruler having at least one similar feature as a distribution cable of a distribution cable assembly. The at least one similar feature comprising at least one of an outer diameter, a bend radius, or a rigidity. The distribution cable ruler includes measurement indicia to facilitate measurement of a distribution length of the distribution cable of the distribution cable assembly. The method includes positioning a distribution cable ruler in a path intended for a distribution cable assembly. The method further includes measuring a distribution cable length of the distribution cable ruler using measurement indicia of the distribution cable ruler.

Abstract: Embodiments of a furcated optical fiber cable are provided. A main distribution cable has optical fibers surrounded by a cable jacket. The optical fibers are divided into at least two furcation legs. A furcation plug is located at a transition point between the main distribution cable and the at least two furcation legs. The furcation plug surrounds at least a portion of the main distribution cable and each of the at least two furcation legs. Optical connectors are provided for each of the at least two furcation legs, and each connector includes optical fibers that are spliced at a splice location to the optical fibers of the connector's respective furcation leg. The splice location is closer to the connector than to the furcation plug. A method of furcating an optical fiber cable and a pulling configuration for the furcated optical fiber cable are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are preconnectorized cable assemblies and methods of making by cable segmentation. One method includes making cable assemblies by adding jacket segments around a cable bundle including a plurality of cable units having at least one optical fiber, and then attaching the plurality of jacket segments together. Another method includes making cable assemblies by inserting jacket segments between base jacket portions. The method includes circumferentially cutting a ring cut in a base jacket surrounding a cable bundle having a plurality of subunit cables with at least one optical fiber. An insert jacket segment is then positioned around the cable bundle and inserted within an access window in the base jacket. The insert jacket segment is joined along a longitudinal slit and ends of the insert jacket segment are attached to the base jacket. A subunit cable of the cable bundle extends through the first side opening.

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: Disclosed herein are preconnectorized cable assemblies and methods of making using a pull string. One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a distribution cable assembly using a pull string fed through a jacket of a distribution cable. Subunit cables are attached to the pull string through openings in the jacket of the distribution cable, and then pulled, via the pull string, through the jacket until drawn through a distribution end opening of the jacket. Another embodiment relates to a distribution cable assembly including junction shells covering side openings in the jacket. The junction shell includes a first half shell attached to a second half shell by a fastener. The first half shell includes stops proximate ends of a side opening to fix the junction shell along an axis of the jacket.

Abstract: A method of delivering cables for a data center comprises: collecting information for different cables needed in a room of the data center, wherein the information includes cable type, length, and intended location data; determining groups of the different cables for bundling together at the data center based on the information; and for at least one of the groups, supplying the different cables for the group together as a common unit.

Abstract: A configurator design tool is provided to facilitate the manufacture of pre-configured multi-fiber optical cable and loaded optical fiber cable storage reels. The configurator design tool also facilitates the configuration of fiber-optic data centers or other types of fiber-optic infrastructure. The present disclosure also contemplates methodology for manufacturing pre-configured multi-fiber optical cable and loaded optical fiber cable storage reels, and for configuring fiber-optic data centers or other types of fiber-optic infrastructure. Additional embodiments relate to contemplated pre-configured multi-fiber optical cable loaded optical fiber cable storage reels, and to fiber-optic data centers or other types of fiber-optic infrastructures.

Abstract: Embodiments of a furcated optical fiber cable are provided. A main distribution cable has optical fibers surrounded by a cable jacket. The optical fibers are divided into at least two furcation legs. A furcation plug is located at a transition point between the main distribution cable and the at least two furcation legs. The furcation plug surrounds at least a portion of the main distribution cable and each of the at least two furcation legs. Optical connectors are provided for each of the at least two furcation legs, and each connector includes optical fibers that are spliced at a splice location to the optical fibers of the connector's respective furcation leg. The splice location is closer to the connector than to the furcation plug. A method of furcating an optical fiber cable and a pulling configuration for the furcated optical fiber cable are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of a furcated optical fiber cable are provided. A main distribution cable has optical fibers surrounded by a cable jacket. The optical fibers are divided into at least two furcation legs. A furcation plug is located at a transition point between the main distribution cable and the at least two furcation legs. The furcation plug surrounds at least a portion of the main distribution cable and each of the at least two furcation legs. Optical connectors are provided for each of the at least two furcation legs, and each connector includes optical fibers that are spliced at a splice location to the optical fibers of the connector's respective furcation leg. The splice location is closer to the connector than to the furcation plug. A method of furcating an optical fiber cable and a pulling configuration for the furcated optical fiber cable are also provided.

Abstract: Bundled cables and methods for preparing bundled cable are disclosed herein. In the method, a plurality of subunits is wound about a central member. The subunits include a subunit jacket made of a first thermoplastic composition and has a first outer surface, and the central member includes a central member jacket made of a second thermoplastic composition and has a second outer surface. A metal element is provided at an interface of the second outer surface and the first outer surface of the subunits. The metal element is heated such that at least one of the first thermoplastic composition or the second thermoplastic composition forms bonds with the other of the first thermoplastic composition or the second thermoplastic composition.

Abstract: Embodiments of a furcated optical fiber cable are provided. A main distribution cable has optical fibers surrounded by a cable jacket. The optical fibers are divided into at least two furcation legs. A furcation plug is located at a transition point between the main distribution cable and the at least two furcation legs. The furcation plug surrounds at least a portion of the main distribution cable and each of the at least two furcation legs. Optical connectors are provided for each of the at least two furcation legs, and each connector includes optical fibers that are spliced at a splice location to the optical fibers of the connector's respective furcation leg. The splice location is closer to the connector than to the furcation plug. A method of furcating an optical fiber cable and a pulling configuration for the furcated optical fiber cable are also provided.