Component for cross-connecting optofibres

Details Component for cross-connecting optofibres Component for cross-connecting optofibres

2000-05-18

2001-05-08

Palmer, Phan T. H. (Department: 2874)

Optical waveguides

With optical coupler

Switch

C385S016000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06229933

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a component for cross-connecting optofibres, preferably for permanently cross-connecting optofibres, with which component optofibres arranged in one or more optofibre ribbons can be cross-connected directly with optofibres in one or more other optofibre ribbons.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
EP 0 587 336 A2 teaches an electronic system that includes a plurality of printed circuit boards that are connected with optofibre ribbons and a pair of optical back planes. In this known system, the optical back planes include cross-connected optofibres which connect mutually opposite outputs and inputs on the back plane. The optofibres are also fastened to a flexible substrate with the aid of an adhesive material. EP 0 435 467 A2 teaches a fibreoptic network that includes optofibre ribbons, where the optofibres in said ribbons connect transmitters and receivers in nodes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With the intention of simplifying the handling of optofibre ribbons, there is provided a component for cross-connecting optofibres between different fibre ribbons, where the component itself cross-connects optofibres between different fibre ribbons connected to the component. The inventive component enables a fibre ribbon structure to be kept undivided, even after a cross-connection or some other reorganisation of the optofibres in one or more fibre ribbons.
The cross-connecting component may comprise generally a plastic casing that surrounds cross-connected or reorganized optofibres and also the free ends of optofibre ribbons connected to the optofibres in the plastic casing on an input side and an output side of the component respectively. These ribbon ends can then be joined to fibre ribbons connected to the component, so as to obtain a cross-connection or reorganisation of the optofibres between the connected ribbons.
The use of fibre ribbons in combination with ribbon welding and multifibre contacts greatly facilitates the installation of fibreoptic networks. This is particularly important in access networks, where cost decides where the optical fibre can be drawn all the way to the subscriber's home (FTTH, Fiber To The Home). It is therefore desirable to be able to keep the fibre ribbon intact, even when cross-connecting or effecting some other reorganisation of the optofibres.
The use of a fibre-ribbon cross-connecting component is beneficial in respect, e.g., of cross-connecting signals from transmitter and receiver arrays on an electronic board or card—see FIG.
1
—cross-connecting a plurality of fibre ribbons that contain different traffic flows—see FIG.
2
—and branching-off? an undivided fibre ribbon in ring network structures in a so-called mixer—see FIG.
3
.
The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to preferred exemplifying embodiments thereof and also with reference to the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5155785 (1992-10-01), Holland et al.
patent: 435 467 (1991-07-01), None
patent: 587 336 (1994-03-01), None

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