Optical waveguides – With optical coupler
Reexamination Certificate
2002-06-05
2003-04-01
Field, Lynn (Department: 2839)
Optical waveguides
With optical coupler
C385S024000, C359S199200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06542652
ABSTRACT:
DEFINITION
The following definitions and descriptions are provided to clearly define certain terms used throughout this application. As used herein, these terms are intended to have the meanings set forth below.
1. Primary fiber optic strand—a fiber optic strand that is connected to an electronic device in the central office of a service provider. A primary fiber optic strand supports a single fiber optic electronic device in the central office and up to 32 different fiber optic electronic devices external to the central office, i.e., one fiber optic strand can be split into 32 different strands for connection to 32 different fiber optic electronic devices.
2. Fiber optic cable—a cable that contains a multiple number of fiber optic strands.
3. Distribution splitter—a splitter used in the intermediate portion of a deployment network, where fiber optic strands are separated and directed to different locations. Distribution splitters divide a single fiber optic strand into multiple numbers of strands.
The number of splitters in a network depends on the total number of strands in the fiber optic cable leading into a central office. The total number of strands in the cable is at least equal to the number of fiber optic electronic devices connected at the central office.
For purposes of describing the present invention, it is understood that, although only two levels of splitting are described herein, any number of levels could be used to divide a primary fiber optic strand into multiple strands. In fact, instead of using distribution splitters and local terminals, a single primary fiber optic strand could go directly to a local terminal with a 1×32 splitter, in which case the local terminal splits the strand into 32 separate strands which may be connected to 32 individual fiber optic drops leading to one or more subscriber premises.
4. Secondary fiber optic strand—the strands that are separated from a primary fiber optic strand. When a primary fiber optic strand goes through a first distribution splitter, the separated strands are referred to as secondary fiber optic strands. The number of secondary fiber optic strands in the network depends upon the configuration of the splitter, e.g., a 1×8 splitter would split a primary fiber optic strand into eight secondary fiber optic strands. Through each set of splitters, the number of fiber optic electronic devices supported becomes progressively smaller until there is only one device per strand.
5. Splice case or splicer—case that attaches to a fiber optic cable and separates one or more fiber optic strands from the cable to be diverted away from the cable in a different direction. A splice case contains fiber optic splices or permanent connections between two fiber optic strands.
6. Local terminal—an outside plant cable terminal used in the prior art for terminating one or more fiber optic strands near one or more subscriber premises for connection to copper wire drops into each subscriber premises. Under the current invention, local terminal comprises a splitter-terminal apparatus that splits a final fiber optic strand into multiple strands each fitted with a connectorized termination for joining one fiber optic drop.
7. Fiber optic drops—small fiber optic cables that contain one or two fiber optic strands connecting the local terminal to the customer location. The fiber optic drops connect to the individual fiber optic electronic devices at the customer location.
8. Connectorized termination—a fitting for a fiber optic cable or strand that facilitates quick connections between two different cables or strands. The fittings are typically snap-on plastic connectors with a male and female side, e.g., SC connectors.
9. Pigtail—a short length of jacketed fiber optic strand permanently fixed to a component at one end and a connectorized termination at the other end, such that the pigtail provides a flexible fiber optic connection between the component and the connectorized termination.
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to fiber optic cable systems and, more specifically, to a fiber optic deployment system and apparatus for providing a continuous, uninterrupted fiber optic service from a service provider central office to subscriber premises.
2. Background of the Invention
It is well known in the art that using fiber optic cabling and transmission means in a network provides many advantages over other cabling and transmission systems. Fiber optic systems provide significantly higher bandwidth and greater performance and reliability than standard copper-wired systems. For example, fiber optic systems can transmit up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) in comparison to copper lines, which transmit at typically less than 64 kilobits per second (Kbps). Optical fibers also require fewer repeaters over a given distance than copper wire does to keep a signal from deteriorating. Optical fibers are immune to electromagnetic interference (from lightning, nearby electric motors, and similar sources) and to crosstalk from adjoining wires. Additionally, cables of optical fibers can be made smaller and lighter than conventional cables using copper wires or coaxial tubes, yet they can carry much more information, making them useful for transmitting large amounts of data between computers and for carrying bandwidth-intensive television pictures or many simultaneous telephone conversations. However, implementation of complete fiber optic networks from a service provider directly to subscriber premises, e.g., fiber to the home (FTTH), has been very slow due to the high installation cost.
Instead of implementing FTTH networks, service providers have developed strategies to provide some of the benefits of fiber optic networks without actually deploying fiber all the way to the home (or other end-subscriber location). One such strategy is known as fiber to the curb (FTTC) where fiber optics are used between the service provider and local terminals (also referred to as outside plant cable terminals) which are situated in areas having a high concentration of subscribers. The last leg of the network, i.e., from the local terminals into a subscriber premises is made using copper wire drops. Such FTTC systems provide the benefits of fiber optic systems, described above, as far as the fiber extends, but deprives the subscriber of the full benefit of fiber optic networks because of the limiting copper wiring. The only way to gain the full benefit of fiber optic networking is to use a continuous, complete fiber optic connection from the service provider's equipment to the subscriber's equipment.
As noted earlier, copper wire drops are used because of the prohibitively high cost of installing fiber optic drops using conventional systems and methods. The bulk of these costs can be attributed mainly to the highly skilled labor and time required to install fiber optic splitters and to join fiber optic drops to fiber optic strands coming from the splitters. In conventional systems and methods, fiber optic networks use fiber optic splitters and splice cases to route fiber optic strands throughout a distribution network. The fiber optic splitters and splice cases allow a fiber optic strand to branch into multiple strands widening the network's coverage area. In conventional networks, design engineers use splitters and splice cases to route strands from electronic devices at the central office to distribution locations, such as those in housing developments.
From the distribution locations, individual fiber optic drops into each subscriber's premises must be manually spliced onto each strand. Alternatively, each time a new subscriber requires fiber optic service, one of the fiber optic strands could be manually fitted with a connector for joining a fiber optic drop to the new subscriber's premises. Thus using the convention systems and methods, installation of individual fiber optic drops to every subscriber's premises is time-consuming and expensive. As discussed above, to overcome the high installation cos
BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
Field Lynn
Shaw Pittman LLP
Zarroli Michael C.
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