FIBER OPTIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A communications cable comprising two or more optical fibers embedded in a jacket which supports the fibers at a predetermined center-to-center distance, the jacket including at least one reference surface oriented at a predetermined angle to the reference plane.
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Abstract
A communications cable includes two or more optical fibers embedded in a jacket which supports the fibers at a predetermined center-to-center distance. The jacket including at least one reference surface oriented at a predetermined angle to the reference plane. The communications cable may also include one or more electrical conductor. Apparatus is provided for preparing the ends of the optical fibers without use of a ferrule, and for transmitting multiple electrical and/or optical signals over the communications cable.
53 Citations
24 Claims
- 1. A communications cable comprising two or more optical fibers embedded in a jacket which supports the fibers at a predetermined center-to-center distance, the jacket including at least one reference surface oriented at a predetermined angle to the reference plane.
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5. A communications cable, comprising:
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(a) two or more optical fibers embedded in a jacket which supports the optical fibers at a predetermined center-to-center distance such that the fibers define a reference plane; (b) two or more conductors positioned next to the optical fibers, the conductors lying in the reference plane; and (c) a protective cover surrounding the conductors and the optical fibers. - View Dependent Claims (6, 8, 9, 10)
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7. The communications cable of claim 7 further comprising a secondary protective cover surrounding the jacket.
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11. A communications system, comprising:
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(a) first and second base units, each comprising; (i) a plurality of first input/output modules, each of the first input/output modules adapted to convert an electrical signal between a predetermined communications format and a modulated electrical signal which is modulated on a selected one of a plurality of carrier frequencies; (ii) a laser emitter; (iii) an optical sensor; (iv) a controller connected to the laser and the optical sensor, which is operable to receive the modulated electrical signals from all of the input/output modules and drive the laser with the added signals to output a combined optical signal, and to receive a combined optical signal from the optical sensor and to convert it to an electrical signal comprising a plurality of electrical signals modulated at different carrier frequencies; and (c) a communications cable comprising; (i) a first optical fiber interconnecting the laser of the first base unit and the optical sensor of the second base unit; and (ii) a second optical fiber interconnecting the laser of the second base unit and the optical sensor of the first base unit. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for connecting two segments of a communication cable which includes two or more side-by-side optical fibers enclosed in a jacket with an elongated cross-sectional shape, each segment having a free end, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) a housing defining; (i) open sockets located at opposite ends of the housing; and (ii) a precision central channel communicating with the sockets, the channel having an elongated cross-sectional shape, and a central portion sized to elastically compress the jacket of the communications cable; and (b) means for securing the communications cable segment in the socket with their free ends meeting inside the precision central channel, such that a portion of each cable is bent within the housing, so as to resiliently bear against the opposing cable segment. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A jig for preparing the end of a communications cable which comprises two or more optical fibers embedded in a jacket which supports the optical fibers at a predetermined center-to-center distance such that the fibers define a reference plane, the jig comprising:
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(a) a body having a channel passing therethrough sized to accept the communications cable; and (b) a reference surface oriented at a predetermined non-perpendicular angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the channel; (c) wherein the channel intersects the reference surface. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A kit comprising:
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(a) a communications cable, comprising; (i) two or more optical fibers embedded in a jacket which supports the optical fibers at a predetermined center-to-center distance such that the fibers define a reference plane; (ii) two or more conductors positioned next to the optical fibers, the conductors lying in the reference plane; and (iii) a protective cover surrounding the conductors and the optical fibers; (b) at least one end unit of a first type including means for connecting the conductors to an external electrical device; (c) at least one end unit of a second type comprising a transceiver adapted to send and receive multiplexed communications signals over the conductors; and (d) at least one end unit of a third type adapted to convert an electrical signal between a predetermined communications format and a modulated optical signal for transmission over the optical fibers; (e) wherein each of the types of end units are interchangeably connectable to the communications cable.
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Specification