Fiber optic terminals and fiber optic networks having variable ratio couplers
AssigneeCorning Research & Development Corporation
InventorDouglas Llewellyn Butler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Fiber optic terminals and fiber optic networks having variable ratio couplers are disclosed. The fiber optic terminals comprise a shell having a portion of a variable ratio coupler disposed therein. The variable ratio coupler comprises an optical input, a first optical output, a second optical output and a control. The control may be adjusted for changing an output power level between the first optical output and the second optical output.
Claims52
A fiber optic terminal for making one or more optical connections with external connectors, the fiber optic terminal comprising:
- a shell comprising a cavity;
- at least one variable ratio coupler having a portion disposed within the cavity, the at least one variable ratio coupler comprising an optical input, a first optical output, a second optical output, and a control for changing an output power level between the first optical output and the second optical output at a coupling region for tuning the output power level;
- at least one input connection port configured for receiving an external optical connector, the at least one input connection port comprising a port opening extending from an outer surface of the terminal into the cavity and defining a port passageway along a longitudinal axis;
- and
- a pass-through output connection port.
A fiber optic terminal for making one or more optical connections with external connectors, the fiber optic terminal comprising:
- a shell comprising a cavity;
- at least one variable ratio coupler having a portion disposed within the cavity, the at least one variable ratio coupler comprising an optical input, a first optical output, a second optical output, and a control for changing an output power level between the first optical output and the second optical output at a coupling region for tuning the output power level, wherein a portion of a first optical waveguide of the first optical output and a portion of a second optical waveguide of the second optical output are fused together to form the coupling region, and the control is configured for moving a portion of the coupling region for changing the output power level between the first optical output and the second optical output;
- and
- a plurality of output connection ports, and each of the respective output connection ports configured for receiving an external optical connector.
A fiber optic network comprising:
- a fiber optic terminal for making one or more optical connections with external connectors, the fiber optic terminal comprising:
- a shell comprising a cavity;
- at least one variable ratio coupler having a portion disposed within the cavity, the at least one variable ratio coupler comprising an optical input, a first optical output, a second optical output, and a control for changing an output power level between a first optical output and the second optical output, wherein a portion of a first optical waveguide of the first optical output and a portion of a second optical waveguide of the second optical output form a coupling region, and the control is configured for moving a portion of the coupling region, wherein control allows changing the output power level between the first optical output and the second optical output for tuning the output power level;
- a first optical link in optical communication with the optical input of the fiber optic terminal;
- and
- a second optical link in optical communication with the first optical output of the fiber optic terminal or the second optical output of the terminal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.