Cable Connector

A method comprising:

• mating optical fibers of an optical cable to a ferrule, the ferrule comprising:
• a ferrule body defining:
• a fiber receiver configured to receive the optical fibers of the optical cable;
• and
• a first spring receiver configured to receive a spring;
• and
• a lens arranged to optically communicate light propagated by the received optical fibers for free-space optical communication;
• inserting the ferrule into a first housing defining a first longitudinal axis and a first opening therethrough along the first longitudinal axis, the first opening configured to slidably receive and guide the ferrule for movement along the first longitudinal axis;
• and
• connecting a second housing to the first housing, the second housing defining:
• a second longitudinal axis;
• a second opening therethrough along the second longitudinal axis, the second opening configured to receive the optical cable therethrough;
• and
• a second spring receiver configured to receive the spring, the spring biasing movement of the ferrule in the first housing away from the second housing.

A connector comprising:

• a spring;
• a ferrule defining a longitudinal axis and having a fiber receiver and a first spring receiver, the fiber receiver configured to receive an optical fiber extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the first spring receiver configured to receive the spring;
• and
• a housing configured to receive the ferrule, the housing having a second spring receiver configured to receive the spring, the spring arranged to bias movement of the ferrule along the longitudinal axis.