Buried fiber optic system including a sub-distribution system and related methods

• US 20050036749A1
• Filed: 08/14/2003
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Commscope Inc of North Carolina (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Commscope Properties LLC A Nevada Limited Liability Company (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Alrutz, Mark E., Vogel, Mark O., Gemme, Christopher P., Lee, Martin B.
• Granted Patent: US 6,990,279 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/100
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/501 underground installation of connection boxes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/504 Installation in solid material, e.g. underground
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/272 Star-type networks or tree-type networks

Abstract

A buried fiber optic cable system includes a distribution cable extending along a buried route, a splice enclosure connected to the distribution cable along the buried route, and a first sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the buried route in a first direction away from the fiber optic splice enclosure. The first sub-distribution system may include spaced apart fiber optic taps along the buried route, a first sub-distribution fiber optic cable between the fiber optic splice enclosure and a first fiber optic tap, and at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable between adjacent fiber optic taps so that the first sub-distribution fiber optic cable and the at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable are arranged in end-to-end relation. The system may also or alternately include a similar lateral sub-distribution system.

Claims

1. A buried fiber optic cable system comprising:

a distribution fiber optic cable extending along a buried route;

at least one fiber optic splice enclosure connected to said distribution fiber optic cable along the buried route; and

a first sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the buried route in a first direction away from said at least one fiber optic splice enclosure and comprising

a plurality of spaced apart fiber optic taps along the buried route,

a first sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending along the buried route between said at least one fiber optic splice enclosure and a first one of said plurality of fiber optic taps,

at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending along the buried route between adjacent fiber optic taps so that said first sub-distribution fiber optic cable and said at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable are arranged in end-to-end relation, and

at least one drop fiber optic cable extending away from the buried route at at least one of said fiber optic taps.

2. A buried fiber optic cable system according to claim 1 wherein each of said sub-distribution fiber optic cables comprises a desired length of cable and a fiber optic cable connector on at least one end thereof.

3. A buried fiber optic cable system according to claim 2 wherein each fiber optic cable connector comprises a factory installed fiber optic cable connector.

4. A buried fiber optic cable system according to claim 1 wherein each of said fiber optic taps comprises:

a tap housing;

an input fiber optic connector carried by said tap housing for coupling to a preceding sub-distribution fiber optic cable;

an output fiber optic connector carried by said tap housing for coupling to a succeeding sub-distribution fiber optic cable; and

a plurality of drop fiber optic connectors carried by said tap housing for coupling to respective drop fiber optic cables.

5. A buried fiber optic cable system according to claim 4 wherein each of said fiber optic taps further comprises a fiber optic splitter carried by said tap housing.

6. A buried fiber optic cable system according to claim 1 further comprising a second sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the buried route in a second direction opposite the first direction.

7. A buried fiber optic cable system according to claim 1 further comprising a respective optical network unit connected to each drop fiber optic cable.

8. A buried fiber optic cable system comprising:

a distribution fiber optic cable extending along a buried route;

at least one fiber optic splice enclosure connected to said distribution fiber optic cable along the buried route; and

a first sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the buried route in a first direction away from said at least one fiber optic splice enclosure and comprising

a plurality of spaced apart fiber optic taps along the buried route, each tap comprising a tap housing and a plurality of tap fiber optic connectors carried thereby,

a first sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending along the buried route between said at least one fiber optic splice enclosure and a first one of said fiber optic taps, and

at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending along the buried route between adjacent fiber optic taps so that said first sub-distribution fiber optic cable and said at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable are arranged in end-to-end relation,

said first sub-distribution fiber optic cable and said at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable each comprising a pre-connectorized fiber optic cable.

9. A buried fiber optic cable system according to claim 8 wherein said first sub-distribution fiber optic system further comprises at least one drop fiber optic cable extending away from the buried route at at least one of said fiber optic taps.

10. A buried fiber optic cable system according to claim 9 wherein each of said plurality of fiber optic taps comprises:

an input fiber optic connector for coupling to a preceding sub-distribution fiber optic cable;

an output fiber optic connector for coupling to a succeeding sub-distribution fiber optic cable; and

a plurality of drop fiber optic connectors for coupling to respective drop fiber optic cables.

11. A buried fiber optic cable system according to claim 10 wherein each of said fiber optic taps further comprises a splitter carried by said tap housing.

12. A buried fiber optic cable system according to claim 8 further comprising a second sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the buried route in a second direction opposite the first direction.

13. A buried fiber optic cable system comprising:

a distribution fiber optic cable extending along a buried route;

at least one fiber optic splice enclosure connected to said distribution fiber optic cable along the buried route;

a forward sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the buried route in a forward direction away from said at least one fiber optic splice enclosure; and

a backward sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the buried route in a backward direction;

each of said forward and backward sub-distribution fiber optic systems comprising at least one fiber optic tap along the buried route, and a first sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending along the buried route between said at least one fiber optic splice enclosure and a first fiber optic tap.

14. A buried fiber optic cable system according to claim 13 wherein each of said forward and backward sub-distribution fiber optic systems further comprises at least one drop fiber optic cable extending away from the buried route at at least one of said fiber optic taps.

15. A buried fiber optic cable system according to claim 14 wherein said tap fiber optic connectors comprise:

an input fiber optic connector for coupling to a preceding sub-distribution fiber optic cable;

an output fiber optic connector for coupling to a succeeding sub-distribution fiber optic cable; and

a plurality of drop fiber optic connectors for coupling to respective drop fiber optic cables.

16. A buried fiber optic cable system according to claim 15 wherein each of said fiber optic taps further comprises a splitter carried by said tap housing.

17. A buried fiber optic cable system comprising:

a distribution fiber optic cable extending along a buried route;

at least one fiber optic splice enclosure connected to said distribution fiber optic cable along the buried route; and

a lateral sub-distribution fiber optic system extending outwardly from the buried route in a lateral direction away from said at least one splice enclosure and comprising

a plurality of spaced apart fiber optic taps, each tap comprising a tap housing and a plurality of tap fiber optic connectors carried thereby,

a first lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending between said at least one splice enclosure and a first one of said fiber optic taps, and

at least one second lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending between adjacent fiber optic taps so that said first lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable and said at least one second lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable are arranged in end-to-end relation,

said first lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable and said at least one second lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable each comprising a pre-connectorized fiber optic cable.

18. A buried fiber optic cable system according to claim 17 wherein said lateral sub-distribution fiber optic system further comprises at least one drop fiber optic cable extending away from at least one of said fiber optic taps.

19. A buried fiber optic cable system according to claim 18 wherein each of said plurality of fiber optic taps comprises:

an input fiber optic connector for coupling to a preceding lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable;

an output fiber optic connector for coupling to a succeeding lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable; and

a plurality of drop fiber optic connectors for coupling to respective drop fiber optic cables.

20. A buried fiber optic cable system according to claim 19 wherein each of said fiber optic taps further comprises a splitter carried by said tap housing.

21. A method for installing a buried fiber optic cable system comprising:

installing a fiber optic distribution cable along a buried route;

connecting at least one fiber optic splice enclosure to the fiber optic distribution cable along the buried route; and

installing a first fiber optic sub-distribution system extending along the buried route in a first direction away from the at least one fiber optic splice enclosure by

installing a plurality of spaced apart fiber optic taps along the buried route,

installing a first sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending along the buried route between the at least one fiber optic splice enclosure and a first one of the fiber optic taps,

installing at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending between adjacent fiber optic taps so that the first sub-distribution fiber optic cable and the at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable are arranged in end-to-end relation, and

installing at least one drop fiber optic cable extending outwardly from the buried route at at least one of the fiber optic taps.

22. A method according to claim 21 further comprising adding at least one drop fiber optic cable to the first fiber optic sub-distribution system after an initial installation.

23. A method according to claim 21 wherein each of the first and at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cables comprises a pre-connectorized fiber optic cable.

24. A method according to claim 22 wherein each of the fiber optic taps comprises:

a tap housing;

an input fiber optic connector carried by the tap housing for coupling to a preceding sub-distribution fiber optic cable;

an output fiber optic connector carried by the tap housing for coupling to a succeeding sub-distribution fiber optic cable; and

a plurality of drop fiber optic connectors carried by tap housing for coupling to respective drop fiber optic cables.

25. A method according to claim 24 wherein each of the fiber optic taps further comprises a fiber optic splitter carried by the tap housing.

26. A method according to claim 21 further comprising installing a second sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the buried route in a second direction opposite the first direction.

27. A method according to claim 21 further comprising installing a respective optical network unit to each drop fiber optic cable.

28. A method for installing a buried fiber optic cable system comprising:

installing a fiber optic distribution cable along a buried route;

connecting at least one fiber optic splice enclosure to the fiber optic distribution cable along the buried route;

installing a forward sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the buried route in a forward direction away from the at least one fiber optic splice enclosure; and

installing a backward sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the buried route in a backward direction;

wherein installing the forward sub-distribution fiber optic system and installing the backward sub-distribution fiber optic system each comprises

installing at least one fiber optic tap along the buried route, and

installing a first sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending along the buried route between the at least one fiber optic splice enclosure and a first fiber optic tap.

29. A method according to claim 28 wherein each of the forward and backward sub-distribution fiber optic systems comprises at least one drop fiber optic cable extending away from the buried route at at least one of the fiber optic taps.

30. A method according to claim 28 wherein the first sub-distribution fiber optic cable comprises a pre-connectorized fiber optic cable.

31. A method according to claim 29 wherein the plurality of tap fiber optic connectors comprises:

an input fiber optic connector for coupling to a preceding sub-distribution fiber optic cable;

an output fiber optic connector for coupling to a succeeding sub-distribution fiber optic cable; and

a plurality of drop fiber optic connectors for coupling to respective drop fiber optic cables.

32. A method according to claim 31 wherein each of said fiber optic taps further comprises a splitter carried by said tap housing.

33. A method for installing a buried fiber optic cable system comprising:

connecting at least one fiber optic splice enclosure to a fiber optic distribution cable along a buried route; and

installing a first fiber optic sub-distribution system extending along the buried route in a first direction away from the at least one fiber optic splice enclosure by

installing a plurality of spaced apart fiber optic taps along the buried route,

installing a first sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending along the buried route between the at least one fiber optic splice enclosure and a first one of the fiber optic taps,

installing at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending between adjacent fiber optic taps so that the first sub-distribution fiber optic cable and the at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable are arranged in end-to-end relation, and

installing at least one drop fiber optic cable extending outwardly from the buried route at at least one of the fiber optic taps.

34. A method according to claim 33 further comprising adding at least one drop fiber optic cable to the first fiber optic sub-distribution system after an initial installation.

35. A method according to claim 33 wherein each of the first and at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cables comprises a pre-connectorized fiber optic cable.

36. A method according to claim 34 wherein each of the fiber optic taps comprises:

a tap housing;

an input fiber optic connector carried by the tap housing for coupling to a preceding sub-distribution fiber optic cable;

an output fiber optic connector carried by the tap housing for coupling to a succeeding sub-distribution fiber optic cable; and

a plurality of drop fiber optic connectors carried by tap housing for coupling to respective drop fiber optic cables.

37. A method according to claim 36 wherein each of the fiber optic taps further comprises a fiber optic splitter carried by the tap housing.

38. A method for installing a buried fiber optic cable system comprising:

connecting at least one fiber optic splice enclosure to a fiber optic distribution cable along a buried route;

installing a forward sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the buried route in a forward direction away from the at least one fiber optic splice enclosure; and

installing a backward sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the buried route in a backward direction;

wherein installing the forward sub-distribution fiber optic system and installing the backward sub-distribution fiber optic system each comprises

installing at least one fiber optic tap along the buried route, and

installing a first sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending along the buried route between the at least one fiber optic splice enclosure and a first fiber optic tap.

39. A method according to claim 38 wherein each of the forward and backward sub-distribution fiber optic systems comprises at least one drop fiber optic cable extending away from the buried route at at least one of the fiber optic taps.

40. A method according to claim 38 wherein the first sub-distribution fiber optic cable comprises a pre-connectorized fiber optic cable.

41. A method according to claim 39 wherein the plurality of tap fiber optic connectors comprises:

an input fiber optic connector for coupling to a preceding sub-distribution fiber optic cable;

an output fiber optic connector for coupling to a succeeding sub-distribution fiber optic cable; and

a plurality of drop fiber optic connectors for coupling to respective drop fiber optic cables.

42. A method according to claim 41 wherein each of said fiber optic taps further comprises a splitter carried by said tap housing.

43. A method for installing a buried fiber optic cable system comprising:

connecting at least one fiber optic splice enclosure to a fiber optic distribution cable along a buried route; and

installing a lateral fiber optic sub-distribution system extending outwardly from the buried route in a lateral direction away from the at least one fiber optic splice enclosure by

installing a plurality of spaced apart fiber optic taps,

installing a first lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending between the at least one fiber optic splice enclosure and a first one of the fiber optic taps, and

installing at least one second lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable extending between adjacent fiber optic taps so that the first lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable and the at least one second lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable are arranged in end-to-end relation,

the first lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable and the at least one second lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable each comprising a pre-connectorized fiber optic cable.

44. A method according to claim 43 further comprising adding at least one drop fiber optic cable to the lateral fiber optic sub-distribution system after an initial installation.

45. A method according to claim 44 wherein each of the fiber optic taps comprises:

a tap housing;

an input fiber optic connector carried by the tap housing for coupling to a preceding lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable;

an output fiber optic connector carried by the tap housing for coupling to a succeeding lateral sub-distribution fiber optic cable; and

a plurality of drop fiber optic connectors carried by tap housing for coupling to respective drop fiber optic cables.

46. A method according to claim 45 wherein each of the fiber optic taps further comprises a fiber optic splitter carried by the tap housing.