Traceable fiber optic jumpers

• US 20100148747A1
• Filed: 12/15/2008
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rathbun, Dale II, Detering, Christopher Charles, Miller, Conley
• Granted Patent: US 7,948,226 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/66
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/562 locatable, e.g. using magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/149 Wireguides in connector blocks

Abstract

An optical fiber jumper cable includes a single tracing conductor for tracing the jumper cable through a fiber cross-connect facility such as a central office. An electrical locating tone is impressed on the conductor so that the conductor radiates an electromagnetic field along the length of the fiber jumper cable. A locating tone detector is used to trace the fiber jumper cable along its length by monitoring a presence-indicating signal emitted by the locating tone detector.

Claims

1. A method for tracing an optical fiber jumper in a fiber cross connect facility containing multiple optical fiber jumpers, the method comprising the steps of:

impressing a jumper-locating tone on an electrical conductor extending along the jumper so that the jumper radiates an electromagnetic field surrounding the jumper along its length; and

tracing the jumper by detecting the electromagnetic field using a handheld signal detector held within the electromagnetic field surrounding the jumper.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of tracing the jumper comprises:

placing the handheld signal detector within the electromagnetic field near a first end of the jumper; and

moving the handheld signal detector along the jumper toward a second end while maintaining the detector within the electromagnetic field.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of tracing the jumper comprises:

identifying the jumper at an intermediate position between two ends of the jumper by moving the handheld signal detector within the electromagnetic field at the intermediate position.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of tracing the jumper includes:

moving the handheld signal detector within the electromagnetic field so that a presence-indicating signal emitted from the detector changes in intensity.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the presence-indicating signal is an audible tone.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

connecting a tone generator for generating the jumper-locating tone, to the conductor at an exposed portion of the conductor.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the exposed portion of the conductor is integrated with an optical connector of the optical fiber jumper.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the exposed portion of the conductor is an electrical connector.

9. A system for traceably connecting two optical fiber positions in one or more fiber termination banks, the system comprising:

an optical fiber jumper including an elongate optical fiber, a coating for protecting the optical fiber along its length, first and second optical fiber connectors at first and second ends of the optical fiber, respectively, for connecting the optical fiber into the one or more fiber termination banks; and

an electrical conductor extending lengthwise with the optical fiber, the electrical conductor having at least one connecting terminal portion;

a locating tone generator having a connector for connecting to the connecting terminal portion of the electrical conductor and for impressing on the electrical conductor a locating tone that causes the conductor to radiate an electromagnetic field about the jumper; and

a locating tone detector for emitting a presence-indicating signal when at least a portion of the detector is within the electromagnetic field.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the presence-indicating signal is emitted by the locating tone detector with increasing intensity as the detector is moved closer to the optical fiber jumper.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one connecting terminal portion is integrated with an optical fiber connector.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the conductor is a wire and the at least one connecting terminal portion is an exposed portion of the wire.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one connecting terminal portion is an electrical connector for connecting the tone generator.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the locating tone generator is powered by at least one battery.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the locating tone detector is a handheld device.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the conductor is embedded in the coating of the optical fiber jumper cable.

17. An optical fiber jumper cable comprising:

at least one optical fiber for conducting an optical signal through the cable;

a coating for protecting the optical fiber along its length;

first and second optical fiber connectors at first and second ends of the optical fiber jumper cable, respectively, for connecting the optical fiber into one or more fiber termination banks;

only one electrical conductor extending substantially the length of the optical fiber; and

at least one connecting terminal portion of the only one electrical conductor for electrically connecting the conductor to jumper tracing equipment.

18. The optical fiber jumper cable of claim 17, wherein each said connecting terminal portion is integrated with one of the optical fiber connectors.

19. The optical fiber jumper cable of claim 18, wherein the conductor is a wire and the at least one connecting terminal portion is an exposed portion of the wire.

20. The optical fiber jumper cable of claim 18, wherein the at least one connecting terminal portion is an electrical connector for connecting the jumper tracing equipment.