Abstract: A fiber optic cable including a cable core having at least one optical fiber and a ripcord. In one embodiment, the ripcord is a conductive material operative, upon application of a sufficient pulling force, to rip at least one cable component for facilitating access to said at least one optical fiber. In other embodiments, the ripcord is formed from a semi-conductive material, the ripcord is removably attached to at least one cable component, and/or the ripcord has an excess length.

Abstract: Fiber optic cables suitable for use in harsh environments such as down hole oil and gas well applications and methods for fabricating the same have been provided. In one embodiment, an optic cable suitable for down hole oil field applications comprises one or more optical fibers disposed in an inner tube and a corrosion resistant metal outer tube disposed over the inner tube, where the inner and outer tubes make intermittent contact. In another embodiment, an optic cable suitable for down hole oil field applications comprise one or more optical fibers disposed in a polymer tube having fins extending therefrom.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable structure including a tube comprised of inorganic fillers dispersed within a soft resin, the tube housing optical fibers or ribbons surrounded by a water blocking material. The use of the inorganic fillers in the soft resin provides a cable structure with superior blowing performance due to low surface friction and high flexibility, allowing more effective installation of the fiber optic cable via blowing techniques The use of the inorganic fillers in the soft resin also reduces the thermal expansion/contraction of the cable structure, and increases the compression resistance of the cable structure to axial loads, providing protection to the optical fibers.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable and methods for manufacturing the same the fiber optic cable including a fiber optic cable core, the fiber optic cable core includes at least one optical fiber and a separation layer. The separation layer generally surrounds the at least one optical fiber, and a cable jacket generally surrounds the separation layer. The cable jacket has an average shrinkage of about 2.0% or less during a cable jacket shrinkage test conducted at a temperature of 110° C. for 2 hours with the cable core removed. The low-shrink characteristic of the cable jacket preserves optical performance during, for example, temperature variations.

Abstract: Optical fiber cable with at least one optical fiber and with a tube surrounding each and every optical fiber, especially made of plastic, comprising at least one string-like element, which can be pulled out, being added to the tube for easy access to each and every optical fiber.

Abstract: A cable includes a tubular jacket which surrounds a plurality of protection tubes in which optical fibers are accommodated in groups and have a relative freedom of movement. These tubes are disposed in layers in which they are disposed in a helix. The cable includes at least one layer made up of an assembly of tubes which have an outside diameter smaller than that of the tubes of a layer that they surround and the tubes of the two layers all contain the same number of optical fibers.

Abstract: In a process for the manufacture of an optical transmission element with several optical waveguides and with a slot element each surrounding the optical waveguides, a filling compound is applied intermittently to the optical waveguides in a liquid state. The optical waveguides are subsequently fed into an extruder, where the extruder forms a slot element around the optical waveguides. The filling compound expands only within the formed slot element, so that interstices present in the cross-section level of the transmission element are penetrated and several dry, compressible filling elements are formed, which each surround the respective optical waveguides. With the process according to the invention, the cross-section of the extruded slot element is not compromised during the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A bundle tube type optical cable is disclosed. A bundle tube type optical cable comprises: a bundle of optical fiber tubes being arranged in the middle portion of the optical cable and each containing at least two optical fiber cores loosely arranged therein; a first water-blocking layer protecting the optical fiber cores in the optical fiber tube from external moisture by a water-blocking material filled in the inner space of the tube; an inner shell made of aluminum material enclosing the bundle of optical fiber tubes with a predetermined gap; a second water-blocking layer protecting the optical fiber tubes from external moisture by the water-blocking material filled in the inner space of the inner shell; and an outer sheath made of plastic material enclosing the outer surface of the inner shell.

Abstract: A fiber optic buffer tube containing fiber optic ribbons centrally located within the buffer tube and a gel compound surrounding the fiber optic ribbons. Disposed within the gel compound, between the walls of the buffer tube and the fiber optic ribbons are yarns. The yarns provide greater surface area which helps to hold the gel compound in place when the gel compound is heated. Also, the yarns provide a cushion which helps prevent the fiber optic ribbons from coming into contact with the walls of the buffer tube, thereby preventing signal attenuation problems.

Abstract: The present invention's optical cable is provided with optical fibers, a forming pipe for housing the optical fibers, a sheath provided around the forming pipe, and at least one pair of rip cords embedded in the sheath. The forming pipe is formed of a plurality of tapes so that it is dividable along its longitudinal direction. When dividing the optical cable, the rip cords are pulled to tear open the sheath, and the already split forming pipe is divided while staying adhered to the respective parts of the sheath. As a result, the division of the sheath and the forming pipe is carried out in one stroke, so that the optical fibers inside the forming pipe can be exposed easily and quickly.

Abstract: A thermoplastic resin coated optical fiber having an outer diameter of 0.9 mm is formed by providing a coating layer around a reinforcing resin coated optical fiber having an outer diameter of 0.25 mm, and has a flexural rigidity of 5.5 to 7.5 N·mm2. The coating layer comprises a thermoplastic resin having a bending elastic modulus of 200 to 350 MPa and the thermoplastic resin is a polyester elastomer. When optical fiber cords are connected to each other or when an optical fiber is exposed to low temperatures, loss is prevented from increasing and superior transmission characteristics are exhibited.

Abstract: A flexible multifiber fiber optic jumper is provided with a multifiber ferrule mounted to a first end of optical fibers and at least one ferrule mounted to the second end of the optical fibers. The flexible multifiber fiber optic jumper also has a protective covering over at least a portion of the plurality of optical fibers with the plurality of optical fibers being free to move relative to one another within the protective covering. The flexible multifiber fiber optic jumper may also have a transition boot to bend it through a predetermined angle and a furcation body to allow for multiple connectors at one end.

Abstract: A cable containing at least one optical fiber and at least one material. The at least one optical fiber being at least partially embedded within the at least one material, and the at least one material forming a housing that protects the at least one optical fiber. The at least one material having a Shore A hardness of about 75 or less.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus comprises a plastic fiber, and a photodetector for detecting light, which has been propagated through the plastic fiber. The photodetector comprises a plurality of semiconductor light receiving devices, whose light receiving sensitivity wavelength regions are identical with one another, each of the semiconductor light receiving devices having a light receiving area smaller than a cross-sectional area of a core of the plastic fiber. The transmission apparatus is capable of achieving both a high light receiving efficiency and quick response characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tube-enclosed optical cable containing ribbon units, and more specifically to a tube-enclosed optical cable containing ribbon units which can improve the economical efficiency of the process by simplifying the manufacturing process of optical cable and at the same time can improve the water blocking capability and compression characteristics of optical cable, providing optical cable characterized by coating particularly the central member of the cable with an absorptive substance and optical cable characterized by inserting interstices coated with an absorptive substance into the empty spaces between one more tubes encircling the central member and the sheath enclosing the tubes.

Abstract: The invention concerns an optical cable with continuous accessibility, comprising a closed protective sheath surrounding a cavity having in cross section two substantially perpendicular axes intersecting at the center of the cavity, and at least two optical fibers optionally organized in at least two modules and arranged such that they occupy the greater part of the cavity in the direction of the long axis but that they allow a clearance in the cavity in the direction of the shorter axis of the cavity.

Abstract: A flexible fire resistant innerduct structure is configured to contain a cable within a conduit. The innerduct structure includes a pair of adjacent strip-shaped layers of flexible material that are joined along their longitudinal edges to define a channel through which the cable can extend longitudinally through the innerduct structure between the layers. The adjacent layers have differing widths between their longitudinal edges, whereby the wider layer bulges away from the narrower layer to impart an open configuration to the channel. Other features of the innerduct structure relate to the material of which it is formed. Such features includes the structure of the material, such as a woven structure, and further include properties such as melting point, tensile strength, fire resistance, elongation, coefficient of friction, crimp resistance and compression recovery.

Abstract: The present invention is an easy access tape with peelable sections to allow easy access to the internal components of the cable or tube. The tape of the present invention contains at least one removable, peelable section which can be easily positioned within the cable and can be removed easily. The removable section of the tape is separated from the remainder of the tape by a number of different methods, including the use of perforation and channels. Additionally, the removable section of the tape can have a different thickness than the remainder of the tape, can be made of different materials, or have different physical properties.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable including a buffer tube wherein the optical unit is maintained in an axial center location of the buffer tube and protected from contact with an inner wall of the buffer tube. At least first and second gel layers are interposed between the buffer tube and the optical unit, wherein the first gel layer surrounds the optical unit, the second gel layer surrounds the first gel layer, and the first and second gel layers have different rheological properties. The inner gel layer may have a yield stress and a viscosity which are lower than a yield stress and a viscosity of the outer gel layer. The lower yield stress and viscosity of the inner gel layer serves to maintain the optical unit in an axial center position within the buffer tube and facilitates easy re-positioning of the optical unit to the axial center position when the buffer tube is flexed or bent. As a result, the optical unit may be maintained in a low stress state and stress-induced attenuation may be prevented.

Abstract: A filling body is inserted together with a loose bundle of guide tubes during installation in an existing protective duct, thus enlarging the bundle diameter (which reduces the buckling risk) and making crossing of the guide tubes impossible. The guide tubes are positioned along the outside of the filling body, providing access to the guide tubes during post-installation branching. The filling body may include radially projecting spacer ribs that separate the guide tubes, thereby preventing crossing movement and helical stranding. The guide tubes are thus constrained and carried along with the filling body in alignment with the spacer ribs, so that buckling, helical stranding and three-dimensional restrictions or tangles cannot occur. The filling body may include a thin tubular sidewall enclosing a longitudinal airflow passage that may be pressurized during installation, and deformable when unpressurized, thus providing mechanical protection against damage of the protective duct after installation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel construction of buffer tubes for fiber optic cables which offers a way to access the optical fibers inside a buffer tube while reducing the risk of damaging the fibers, as sometimes occurs when cutting the outer layer of the buffer tube. A buffer tube for use in a fiber optic cable of the present invention comprises a tube having a tube wall, the wall having an inside and outside surface, wherein an inner portion of tube wall, nearest the inside surface, is made of a material having a higher notch-sensitivity than an outer portion of the tube wall nearest the outside surface.

Abstract: A fiber optic tube assembly including a tube having a longitudinal axis, at least one optical fiber, and at least one plug. The at least one optical fiber being at least partially disposed within the tube and the at least one plug being disposed within the tube at a predetermined location. A portion of the at least one optical fiber disposed within the at least one plug is capable of moving about the longitudinal axis of the tube relative to at least one plug. In other embodiments, the at least one plug includes an interfacial layer.

Abstract: A gas pipe explorer formed of a plurality of connecting elements, and an articulation element between the connected elements. The connected elements include drive capabilities, and the articulation element allows the connected elements to traverse gas pipes of arbitrary shapes and sizes. A sensor may sends the characteristics of the gas pipe, and the communication element may send back those sends characteristics. The communication can be wired, over a tether connecting the device to a remote end. Alternatively, the connection can be wireless, driven by either a generator or a battery.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable capable of absorbing water and resisting any undesirable increase of transmission loss caused by temperature variations. It has a core assembly formed by surrounding a stack of cores (1) in e.g. ribbon form by a shock absorbing member (2), at least one member (3) of high tensile strength and a sheath (4) formed from e.g. a thermoplastic resin and enclosing the core assembly and the high-tensile member (3). The shock absorbing member (2) is a strand of e.g. yarn not absorbing water, but carrying a water-absorbing resin.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a core and a surrounding protective layer. The core includes an inner tube having one or more optical fibers contained therein, and the surrounding protective layer includes an outer tube received over the inner tube, and a layer of buffer material positioned between the outer tube and the inner tube. The buffer material maintains the inner tube generally centrally located within the outer tube and providing a mechanical link between the inner tube and the outer tube to prevent relative movement therebetween. The inner tube may be coated with a low hydrogen permeability material to minimize the entrance of hydrogen into the inner tube. The low hydrogen permeability material may be coated with a protective layer of hard, scratch resistant material to protect the integrity of the low hydrogen permeability material.

Abstract: An optical cable includes a first optical waveguide and a second optical waveguide having predetermined bandwidth capacities. A bandwidth capacity ratio is defined as the predetermined bandwidth capacity between the first and second optical waveguides. The bandwidth capacity ratio being about 2:1 or greater, however, other suitable ratios can be used. Other embodiments identify one of the legs of an optical cable by using a marking indicia. Additionally, another embodiment employs a translucent jacket for aiding in identifying each optical waveguide.

Abstract: A loose tube ribbon optical cable is disclosed and includes at least one reinforced ribbon optical fiber bundle that includes a multifiber cable arrayed in parallel, a ribbon optical fiber bundle formed of multi-layered ribbon optical fibers for coating the multifiber cable, and a pair of reinforcing layers with both edges bent towards the periphery of the ribbon optical fiber bundle, the pair of reinforcing layers being formed on the outside of the bundle. The loose tube is packed with the reinforced ribbon optical fiber bundle, and an outer coating disposed in a peripheral of the ribbon optical cable, enclosing the loose tube(s).

Abstract: A submarine optical cable resistant to a longitudinal flow of water accidentally penetrated inside it and a method for controlling the longitudinal flow of water inside the cable. The cable has a longitudinal cavity disposed along a deformable elongated hollow body. The longitudinal cavity is suitable dimensioned so that the head losses of the water flowing through the cavity are lower than the head losses of the water flowing inside the buffer tubes. Thus, in case of accidental ingress of water inside the submarine cable, the water flow inside the buffer tubes is prevented from reaching long penetration lengths by the hydrostatic pressure of the water inside the longitudinal cavity acting onto the outer surface of the buffer tube.

Abstract: An electric conductor incorporates at least one optical fibre and has a central axial element with at least one layer of elements helically stranded about it. At least one of the elements, preferably the central axial one, includes at least one optical fibre which is enclosed in a longitudinally extending welded metal tube (typically stainless steel). A second metal tube of greater thickness and higher conductivity than the welded metal tube and having an unwelded longitudinal seam surrounds the welded tube. The second tube is typically of aluminium and served to increase the diameter of the element so that a greater range of useful conductor sizes can be formed by using it in conjunction with appropriately chosen wire diameters.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable structure including a tube comprised of inorganic fillers dispersed within a soft resin, the tube housing optical fibers or ribbons surrounded by a water blocking material. The use of the inorganic fillers in the soft resin provides a cable structure with superior blowing performance due to low surface friction and high flexibility, allowing more effective installation of the fiber optic cable via blowing techniques The use of the inorganic fillers in the soft resin also reduces the thermal expansion/contraction of the cable structure, and increases the compression resistance of the cable structure to axial loads, providing protection to the optical fibers.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable for use in a dispersion managed cable system including optical fibers. At least some of the optical fibers that exhibit a carefully controlled chromatic dispersion performance to support long distance, high data rate transmission. The optical fibers are contained within buffer tubes, at least some of the buffer tubes having at least one dispersion managed cable system (DMCS) identification marking thereon. The DMCS marked buffer tubes respectively contain at least one of the optical fibers having a carefully controlled chromatic dispersion performance to support long distance, high data rate transmission. The cable includes a cable jacket comprising at least one DMCS identification marking thereon.

Abstract: A dry optical fiber cable, for voice, video and data telecommunication based on a plurality of a loosely fitted tubes placed longitudinally and surrounding a central reinforcement element, said tubes accommodating at least one or several optical fiber filaments. This dry optical fiber cable is characterized because in the internal area, between the central reinforcement element and the plurality of tubes, it has a first dry protection layer; the interior assembly is then externally protected by a second dry protection. It then has a polyethylene cover followed by the third dry protection and finally a polyethylene cover.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable having improved compatibility with a waterblocking filling composition is provided. In particular, the optical fiber cable has a cable component, wherein an optical fiber can be housed, such as a buffer tube or a slotted core, made of a polyolefinic material having high compatibility with a waterblocking filler disposed therein. The cable component is manufactured by employing a suitable polyolefinic material, polyethylene in particular, having a density in the finished component of at least 0.940 g/ml, preferably of about 0.942 g/ml or higher, up to about, e.g., 0.975. The material preferably has a melt flow index (MFI) at 190 ° C. and 2.16 kg lower than about 3 and a shear sensitivity of the same, a shear sensitivity higher than about 40.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable configuration having a central strength member. The central strength member includes a hollow tube. One or more strength rods are disposed along or within the tube. To avoid water penetration, the tube is filled with a gel or water-absorbing powder, which provides a water barrier.

Abstract: A fiber optic buffer tube containing fiber optic ribbons centrally located within the buffer tube and a gel compound surrounding the fiber optic ribbons. Disposed within the gel compound, between the walls of the buffer tube and the fiber optic ribbons are water swellable yarns and/or particles. The water swellable yarns and/or particles volumetrically expand when in contact with water that has penetrated the buffer tube. The water swellable yarns/particles also provide greater surface area which helps to hold gel compound, at elevated temperature, within the tube and thus to prevent the fiber optic ribbons from coming into contact with the walls of the buffer tube, thereby preventing signal attenuation problems.

Abstract: The cable according the present invention has at least two layers of thermally conductive tape wrapped around a center cable core, where a layer of flame-retardant yarn is placed between the layers of tape such that air gaps are created. Further, in the present invention, a powder having a low thermal conductivity is placed in the air gaps to further retard flame penetration and smoke generation. The thermally conductive tape of the present invention can be made from either Mica tape, or metallic foil and is wound helically along the length of the cable.

Abstract: The specification describes a water blocking tape for an optical fiber cable wherein the optical fibers in the cable are wrapped with a synthetic fibrous non-woven tape coated with a superabsorbent polymer powder coating. The particles in the powder are ultra-fine, i.e. have less than 7% weight fraction over 300 microns in diameter. Controlling the particle size within this range is found to reduce microbending losses in the optical fiber.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (10) having a tube assembly (20) therein. Tube assembly (20) includes an optical fiber group (22) in a tube (21). Optical fiber group (22) comprises a medial optical fiber subgroup (23) and lateral optical fiber subgroups (24a, 24b;25a,25b;26a,26b) adjacent thereto. Subgroups (24a,24b;25a,25b;26a,26b) define a step-like profile for maximizing optical fiber packing density of tube assembly (20) and/or defining a high fiber count cable (10). In exemplary embodiments, a diagonal free space is defined as the tube inner diameter minus the diagonal length of the cross-section of the profile of the optical fiber ribbon stack, the diagonal free space being about 2 mm to about 5 mm. In a multi-tube embodiment, diagonal free space can be about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm. In other embodiments, corner fibers can have a delta optical attenuation of less than about 0.05 dB/Km for a wavelength of @1550 nm over a 100 meter length 40″ to 70″ drum at room temperature.

Abstract: A small, lightweight optical cable with pads is disclosed. The optical cable comprises a tube having the shape of a hollow cylinder and includes multiple cores of optical fibers mounted therein, a sheath formed by an extrusion method to surround the tube in a certain thickness, and a plurality of pads arranged inside the sheath, each pad being separately formed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cable having a substantially gastight metal tube receiving at least one optical conductor and a hydrogen-absorbent substance. The inside face of the tube is covered with a layer of a catalyst substance such as nickel or chromium for catalyzing the reaction whereby the hydrogen-absorbent substance absorbs hydrogen. Said layer is itself covered with at least one layer of hydrogen-absorbent substance which constitutes a filler material for filling the tube, or which merely forms a layer deposited on the layer of catalyst substance.

Abstract: In an optical cable consisting of a metallic core (1) with at least one channel (2), which extends in the longitudinal direction of the core (1) and in which at least one optical waveguide (13) is arranged, the at least one channel (2) is arranged within the sheath encasing the core (1) and is closed to the exterior.

Abstract: A buffer tube design that allows easy access to signal carrying fibers disposed within the buffer tube with risk of damaging the signal carrying fibers. The buffer tube can be made with a ripcord disposed within. Additionally, the buffer tube has the mechanical properties that allow the ripcord to be pulled through the tube wall with less energy than is required to bend the signal carrying fibers within. The buffer tube can also be designed without a ripcord in such a way that the mechanical properties allow the tube to be hand torn using a lower amount of energy than required to bend the signal carrying fibers within.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable including a buffer tube wherein the optical unit is maintained in an axial center location of the buffer tube and protected from contact with an inner wall of the buffer tube. At least first and second gel layers are interposed between the buffer tube and the optical unit, wherein the first gel layer surrounds the optical unit, the second gel layer surrounds the first gel layer, and the first and second gel layers have different rheological properties. The inner gel layer may have a yield stress and a viscosity which are lower than a yield stress and a viscosity of the outer gel layer. The lower yield stress and viscosity of the inner gel layer serves to maintain the optical unit in an axial center position within the buffer tube and facilitates easy re-positioning of the optical unit to the axial center position when the buffer tube is flexed or bent. As a result, the optical unit may be maintained in a low stress state and stress-induced attenuation may be prevented.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable comprising a plurality of buffer tubes, binder wrapped around the buffer tubes, a ripcord disposed between the buffer tubes and the binder, and a protective outer jacket covering the buffer tubes. Upon application of a sufficient outwardly directed pulling force, the ripcord rips both the binder and the jacket thereby providing access the buffer tubes and optical fibers therein. The binder is formed of a material which melts or softens when the jacket is formed by an extrusion process so that the binder is thereby incorporated into the jacket. Alternatively, the binder is formed of a material which will adhere to the jacket when the jacket is formed by an extrusion process and is easily torn when the jacket is ripped by the ripcord.

Abstract: A jacket for an outside plant communication cable is made from a resin of an impact-modified polypropylene copolymer compounded with UV stabilizers. The resin has the characteristics of low cost, low post-extrusion shrinkage, high melting temperature and increased crush and abrasion resistance. The UV light stabilizers may include UV absorbers, quenchers, and/or hindered amine light stabilizers.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable comprising a plurality of buffer tubes, binder wrapped around the buffer tubes, a ripcord disposed between the buffer tubes and the binder, and a protective outer jacket covering the buffer tubes. Upon application of a sufficient outwardly directed pulling force, the ripcord rips both the binder and the jacket thereby providing access the buffer tubes and optical fibers therein. The binder is formed of a material which melts or softens when the jacket is formed by an extrusion process so that the binder is thereby incorporated into the jacket. Alternatively, the binder is formed of a material which will adhere to the jacket when the jacket is formed by an extrusion process and is easily torn when the jacket is ripped by the ripcord.

Abstract: To provide an optical fiber cable having a plurality of GI-POFs and a resin cable body confining these, and excellent in the thermal durability, pressure resisting property and flexural mechanical property, wherein the increase of the attenuation of the light is suppressed. The resin cable body has as many holes as the number of the GI-POFs, extending longitudinally therethrough, and the GI-POFs are distributed and arranged one by one in the holes so that they are freely movable in two directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Optical fibers are lightly tacked together in parallel relation to prevent relative sliding between the fibers along their lengthwise directions, by forming a longitudinally extending frangible web bonded between the fibers. The web in one embodiment is formed by applying a coating of a hardenable composition in a fluid state to the adjacent fibers and then removing the composition from the fibers except on the opposing surfaces of the adjacent fibers, and causing or allowing the composition remaining between the fibers to harden. Alternatively, a coloring compound is coated onto each fiber and the fibers are pressed and held together until the compound solidifies. In yet another embodiment a solid coating of material soluble in a volatile solvent is provided on each fiber, and the coatings are contacted by solvent to render them tacky, the fibers then being pressed and held together until the coatings resolidify.

Abstract: A solid-stranding method and apparatus for forming optical cables. Solid-stranding combines buffering and stranding operations, as well as performs the stranding operation while the flextubes are still hot so that they adhere together without additional binders. Optical fibers and/or wires are supplied to an extruder which forms flextubes around individual ones or groups of the optical fibers and/or wires. A central element may be supplied to, and go through, the center of the extruder. A rotating pulling device, such as a caterpillar, helically or in an SZ-manner solid-strands the flextubes around the central element—or solid-strands the flextubes to themselves when no central element is present—as the flextubes cool down. That is, solid-stranding includes buffering and stranding operations that are performed together without a water cooling stage therebetween. Thus, the flextubes adhere together, and may adhere to the central member, thereby forming a solid-stranded composite core.

Abstract: A fiber optic buffer tube containing fiber optic ribbons centrally located within the buffer tube and a gel compound surrounding the fiber optic ribbons. Disposed within the gel compound, between the walls of the buffer tube and the fiber optic ribbons are yarns. The yarns provide greater surface area which helps to hold the gel compound in place when the gel compound is heated. Also, the yarns provide a cushion which helps prevent the fiber optic ribbons from coming into contact with the walls of the buffer tube, thereby preventing signal attenuation problems.