Optical backplane for a telecommunication distribution frame

An optical fiber distribution frame, which comprises:

• a plurality of shelf units;
• a modular array disposed within each said shelf unit and having a plurality of modules for connecting to optical fiber jumper cables;
• and
• an optical backplane mounted within each said shelf unit, said optical backplane including:
• a support member;
• a flexible fiber circuit including a plurality of optical fibers at least partially supported by said support member for connecting optical fibers of an incoming cable to corresponding modules of said modular array;
• and
• a fiber routing substrate for facilitating routing of said optical fibers of said fiber circuit to said modules of said modular array, said fiber substrate including a base portion and a plurality of tab portions extending from said base portion, wherein each said tab portion is associated with an individual respective module, said tab portions directing said optical fibers of said fiber circuit to corresponding modules of said modular array.

An optical fiber distribution frame, which comprises:

• a plurality of shelf units;
• a modular array disposed within each said shelf unit and having a plurality of modules arranged in side by side horizontal relation for connecting to optical fiber jumper cables;
• and
• an optical backplane mounted within a space defined between said modular array and one of an upper and lower surface of each said shelf unit, said optical backplane including a support plate slidably mounted within the space and a fiber fabric at least partially supported by said support plate, said fiber fabric having a plurality of optical fibers connectable at first ends thereof to corresponding optical fibers of an incoming ribbon cable and at second ends thereof to corresponding individual modules of said modular array.